 Around the beginning of May, just as we were planning to discontinue feeding the birds and avoid attracting bears, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus) began showing up for sunflower seeds. Photo by Bob Stetson. |  The long, continuous series of warbles, chirps, chips, and mews--sometimes for as long as ten minutes-- emanating from a thick tangle of shrubbery or vines--means that a Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) has arrived from its wintering grounds and is planning to spend the next five months somewhere nearby. |
 Right on schedule, this Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) was found in Warren on May 6th, en route to breeding territory in Canada. Unlike other sandpipers, Solitary Sandpiper lays its eggs in the tree nests of several different song birds, particularly those of the American Robin, Rusty Blackbird, Eastern Kingbird, Gray Jay, and Cedar Waxwing. See allaboutbirds.org for more information. Photo by Jim Engberg.  Juvenal's Duskywing (Erynnis juvenalis) was common at Muddy Brook WMA in Hardwick in May.  This Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) chose to bask atop an evergreen shrub in Rutland. Photo by Ted Purcell. |  Warm, sunny days bring out butterflies such as this Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), a common but diminutive, and therefore easily overlooked, species.  Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) in Rutland. Photo by Ted Purcell.  Three-banded Lady Beetle (Coccinella trifaciata), one of twelve species of lady beetles in North America, was spotted in Hubbardston. |