Here we are immersed in the fullness of May. I wonder how many recognize just how special this time of year is, not just because of the massive migratory spectacle but also for May’s pulchritudinous profusion of flowers and deliciously moderate climate. Lest ye take the magic of this month for granted, heed instead the words of one of the great American poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

It Is Not Always May

The sun is bright,—the air is clear,
The darting swallows soar and sing,
And from the stately elms I hear
The blue-bird prophesying Spring.

So blue yon winding river flows,
It seems an outlet from the sky,
Where waiting till the west wind blows,
The freighted clouds at anchor lie.

All things are new ;—the buds, the leaves,
That gild the elm-tree’s nodding crest,
And even the nest beneath the eaves;—
There are no birds in last year’s nest!

All things rejoice in youth and love,
The fulness of their first delight!
And learn from the soft heavens above
The melting tenderness of night.

Maiden, that read’st this simple rhyme,
Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
For O! it is not always May!

Enjoy the Spring of Love and Youth,
To some good angel leave the rest;
For Time will teach thee soon the truth,
There are no birds in last year’s nest!

Taking the words of old Wadsworth to heart, I’ll be immersing myself in magnificent May while seeking out local warblers. Corey may remain local in Queens, but then again he may fly far afield. How about you? Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding? Share your plans in the comments below!

Whatever your plans this weekend, make time to enjoy SkyWatch Friday. Also be sure to come back Monday to share your best bird of the weekend!


Keep your eyes to the skies for fabulous raptors.
(If you’re lucky, you’ll see some serene kites like the Mississippi Kites Nate encountered!)

Written by Mike
Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but he's also a traveler who fully expects to see every bird in the world. Besides founding 10,000 Birds in 2003, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining but now extirpated nature blog resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network and I and the Bird.