▼ MENU
Home Birds Contact

Our Birding in May of 2025

For the first couple of months, we were not very selective when we snapped a photo. Our memory cards were quickly loaded down with many photos. We shot regardless of the lighting or conditions. For some time we tried to get an image of every species of bird we saw on each outing. Some of our checklists come very close to achieving that goal. Both photography and the camera were very new to us. We had only used the cameras on our cell phones prior to purchasing our standalone camera.

Ballard Nature Center - May 2nd, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️
  • Overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 60 - 61°F
  • Wind: Light breeze
  • Wind Direction: S - SW
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 86 - 88%
  • Sunrise: 5:55am
  • Sunset: 7:48pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 13 - Hooded Merganser (high)
  • 1 - Green Heron
  • 1 - Turkey Vulture
  • 20 - American Crow (est.)
  • 45 - Tree Swallow (est.)
  • 7 - Purple Martin
  • 1 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • 1 - Northern House Wren
  • 20 - European Starling (est.)
  • 5 - American Robin
  • 2 - House Sparrow
  • 1 - American Goldfinch
  • 1 - Song Sparrow
  • 1 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 90 - Red-winged Blackbird (est.)
  • 7 - Brown-headed Cowbird
  • 50 - Common Grackle (est.)
  • 2 - Common Yellowthroat
  • 3 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S232228621

Ballard Nature Center - May 3rd, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • 🌧️
  • Moderate rain - heavy intensity rain
  • Temperature: 52 - 53°F
  • Wind: Light breeze
  • Wind Direction: NW
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 99%
  • Sunrise: 5:53am
  • Sunset: 7:49pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 1 - Wood Duck
  • 12 - Hooded Merganser (high)
  • 1 - Wild Turkey
  • 1 - Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • 1 - Sora
  • 1 - Pied-billed Grebe (nvo)
  • 4 - Green Heron
  • 1 - Turkey Vulture
  • 1 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 - Eastern Kingbird
  • 1 - Blue Jay
  • 1 - American Crow
  • 3 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 4 - Tree Swallow
  • 4 - Purple Martin
  • 3 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 5 - American Robin
  • 13 - House Sparrow
  • 5 - American Goldfinch
  • 1 - Chipping Sparrow
  • 1 - Song Sparrow
  • 1 - Eastern Towhee
  • 2 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 85 - Red-winged Blackbird (est.)
  • 5 - Brown-headed Cowbird
  • 1 - Common Yellowthroat
  • 5 - Northern Cardinal
  • 1 - Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S232729617

Hidden Springs State Forest - May 4th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • 🌧️☁️
  • Moderate rain - overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 47 - 48°F
  • Wind: Moderate breeze - strong breeze
  • Wind Direction: N
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 86%
  • Sunrise: 5:52am
  • Sunset: 7:50pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 1 - Canada Goose (nvo)
  • 20 - Turkey Vulture
  • 2 - Great Horned Owl
  • 5 - Red-headed Woodpecker
  • 1 - Northern Flicker (nvo)
  • 2 - Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • 1 - Blue Jay (nvo)
  • 4 - American Crow
  • 7 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 1 - Swainson's Thrush
  • 1 - Eastern Towhee
  • 1 - Brown-headed Cowbird
  • 1 - Tennessee Warbler (nvo)
  • 2 - Palm Warbler
  • 3 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S233218078

Effingham TREC Trail - May 4th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • 🌧️☁️
  • Light rain - overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 47°F
  • Wind: Light breeze - moderate breeze
  • Wind Direction: N
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 92 - 93%
  • Sunrise: 5:52am
  • Sunset: 7:49pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 1 - Turkey Vulture
  • 1 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 2 - Blue Jay (nvo)
  • 2 - American Crow (nvo)
  • 3 - Carolina Chickadee
  • 1 - White-breasted Nuthatch
  • 1 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • 3 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 1 - Song Sparrow
  • 1 - Yellow-rumped Warbler
  • 1 - Scarlet Tanager
  • 6 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S233249247

Ballard Nature Center - May 5th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️☀️
  • Overcast clouds - clear sky
  • Temperature: 58 - 61°F
  • Wind: Light breeze - calm
  • Wind Direction: N
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 65 - 72%
  • Sunrise: 5:51am
  • Sunset: 7:51pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 5 - Canada Goose
  • 2 - Wood Duck
  • 2 - Hooded Merganser
  • 2 - Mourning Dove
  • 2 - Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • 1 - Sora
  • 3 - Green Heron
  • 3 - Turkey Vulture
  • 2 - Barred Owl (nvo)
  • 2 - Red-headed Woodpecker
  • 1 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 - Northern Flicker (nvo)
  • 1 - Eastern Kingbird
  • 2 - Blue Jay
  • 3 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 25 - Tree Swallow (est.)
  • 2 - Purple Martin
  • 4 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • 2 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • 1 - Northern House Wren
  • 11 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 1 - Swainson's Thrush
  • 3 - American Robin
  • 12 - House Sparrow
  • 3 - Chipping Sparrow
  • 1 - Field Sparrow
  • 2 - White-crowned Sparrow
  • 2 - Song Sparrow
  • 1 - Eastern Towhee
  • 2 - Yellow-breasted Chat
  • 115 - Red-winged Blackbird (est.)
  • 7 - Brown-headed Cowbird
  • 7 - Common Grackle
  • 2 - Common Yellowthroat
  • 6 - Northern Cardinal
  • 3 - Indigo Bunting

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S233646322

Ballard Nature Center - May 6th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️
  • Broken clouds - overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 65 - 70°F
  • Wind: Light breeze
  • Wind Direction: S - SW
  • Cloud Cover: 75 - 100%
  • Humidity: 52 - 60%
  • Sunrise: 5:50am
  • Sunset: 7:52pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 2 - Canada Goose (nvo)
  • 11 - Hooded Merganser (high)
  • 1 - Red-headed Woodpecker
  • 2 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 2 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 1 - Blue Jay
  • 3 - American Crow
  • 1 - Carolina Chickadee
  • 3 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 1 - Northern House Wren
  • 7 - House Sparrow
  • 1 - American Goldfinch
  • 1 - Field Sparrow
  • 1 - White-crowned Sparrow
  • 1 - Eastern Towhee
  • 4 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 10 - Red-winged Blackbird
  • 1 - Brown-headed Cowbird
  • 1 - Yellow-rumped Warbler
  • 6 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S234014874

Effingham TREC Trail - May 9th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☀️
  • Clear sky
  • Temperature: 63 - 68°F
  • Wind: Light breeze - calm
  • Wind Direction: N
  • Cloud Cover: 0%
  • Humidity: 28 - 55%
  • Sunrise: 5:46am
  • Sunset: 7:54pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 1 - Wild Turkey
  • 1 - Turkey Vulture
  • 1 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 1 - Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • 1 - Great Crested Flycatcher (nvo)
  • 3 - Blue Jay
  • 3 - American Crow
  • 1 - Carolina Chickadee
  • 1 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 9 - Tree Swallow
  • 4 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • 1 - Gray Catbird
  • 2 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 20 - Common Grackle (est.)
  • 1 - Nashville Warbler (nvo)
  • 3 - Common Yellowthroat
  • 6 - Northern Cardinal
  • 4 - Indigo Bunting

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S235251785

Cave-In-Rock State Park - May 10th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️
  • Overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 69°F
  • Wind: Gentle breeze - moderate breeze
  • Wind Direction: NE
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 55%
  • Sunrise: 5:47am
  • Sunset: 7:50pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 1 - Great Blue Heron
  • 1 - Black Vulture
  • 1 - Eastern Phoebe
  • 1 - White-eyed Vireo
  • 1 - American Crow (nvo)
  • 30 - Cliff Swallow (est.)
  • 1 - Brown Thrasher
  • 1 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 1 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S235856754

Stephen A. Forbes State Park - May 17th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️
  • Overcast Clouds
  • Temperature: 67°F
  • Wind: Moderate breeze - fresh breeze
  • Wind Direction: W - NW
  • Cloud Cover: 99%
  • Humidity: 68 - 69%
  • Sunrise: 5:41am
  • Sunset: 8:01pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 1 - Wild Turkey (nvo)
  • 1 - Mourning Dove (nvo)
  • 1 - Turkey Vulture
  • 1 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 - Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • 2 - Great Crested Flycatcher
  • 1 - Blue Jay
  • 1 - American Crow (nvo)
  • 6 - Carolina Chickadee
  • 3 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 3 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • 2 - Swainson's Thrush
  • 1 - Summer Tanager
  • 4 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S239392317

Ballard Nature Center - May 18th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️
  • Overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 53 - 58°F
  • Wind: Light breeze - moderate breeze
  • Wind Direction: NW - N
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 72 - 86%
  • Sunrise: 5:39am
  • Sunset: 8:03pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 4 - Mallard
  • 6 - Hooded Merganser
  • 4 - Mourning Dove
  • 2 - Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • 1 - Green Heron
  • 4 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 1 - Northern Flicker
  • 1 - Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • 5 - Eastern Kingbird
  • 3 - Blue Jay
  • 5 - American Crow
  • 1 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 13 - Tree Swallow
  • 9 - Purple Martin
  • 2 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • 1 - Cliff Swallow
  • 1 - White-breasted Nuthatch
  • 2 - Northern House Wren
  • 1 - American Robin
  • 9 - House Sparrow
  • 1 - House Finch
  • 2 - Chipping Sparrow
  • 6 - Field Sparrow
  • 1 - Yellow-breasted Chat
  • 3 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 70 - Red-winged Blackbird (est.)
  • 6 - Brown-headed Cowbird
  • 8 - Common Grackle
  • 10 - Common Yellowthroat
  • 5 - Northern Cardinal
  • 1 - Indigo Bunting

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S239663461

Hidden Springs State Forest - May 18th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ️☀️️
  • Clear sky
  • Temperature: 76 - 78°F
  • Wind: Light breeze
  • Wind Direction: NW
  • Cloud Cover: 0%
  • Humidity: 32 - 36%
  • Sunrise: 5:38am
  • Sunset: 8:04pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 2 - Red-headed Woodpecker
  • 1 - Red-bellied Woodpecker (nvo)
  • 1 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 1 - Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • 1 - Great Crested Flycatcher (nvo)
  • 1 - Red-eyed Vireo
  • 1 - American Crow (nvo)
  • 4 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 3 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • 1 - Northern House Wren (nvo)
  • 1 - Swainson's Thrush
  • 1 - Eastern Towhee
  • 1 - Northern Parula
  • 1 - Summer Tanager
  • 6 - Northern Cardinal
  • 1 - Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • 5 - Indigo Bunting

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S239961314

Ballard Nature Center - May 23rd, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ️☀️️
  • Clear sky
  • Temperature: 70°F
  • Wind: Calm
  • Wind Direction: N
  • Cloud Cover: 0%
  • Humidity: 30%
  • Sunrise: 5:35am
  • Sunset: 8:07pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 8 - Hooded Merganser
  • 1 - Wild Turkey
  • 3 - Mourning Dove
  • 1 - Yellow-billed Cuckoo
  • 1 - Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • 3 - Green Heron
  • 2 - Red-headed Woodpecker
  • 1 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 2 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 1 - Eastern Wood-Pewee (nvo)
  • 1 - Great Crested Flycatcher (nvo)
  • 2 - Eastern Warbling Vireo
  • 3 - Blue Jay
  • 1 - Carolina Chickadee
  • 5 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 13 - Tree Swallow
  • 9 - Purple Martin
  • 2 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • 1 - White-breasted Nuthatch
  • 3 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • 1 - Northern House Wren (nvo)
  • 1 - European Starling
  • 5 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 4 - American Robin
  • 8 - Cedar Waxwing
  • 9 - House Sparrow
  • 4 - Chipping Sparrow
  • 2 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 47 - Red-winged Blackbird
  • 1 - Brown-headed Cowbird
  • 14 - Common Grackle
  • 3 - Common Yellowthroat
  • 4 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S241715852

Ballard Nature Center - May 24th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️️
  • Overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 65°F
  • Wind: Light breeze - gentle breeze
  • Wind Direction: E
  • Cloud Cover: 97%
  • Humidity: 67%
  • Sunrise: 5:35am
  • Sunset: 8:08pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 2 - Canada Goose
  • 1 - Mourning Dove
  • 1 - Pied-billed Grebe (nvo)
  • 1 - Great Egret
  • 1 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 1 - Blue Jay
  • 6 - American Crow
  • 1 - Carolina Chickadee
  • 2 - Tufted Titmouse
  • 18 - Tree Swallow
  • 8 - Purple Martin
  • 2 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • 1 - White-breasted Nuthatch
  • 6 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 1 - American Robin
  • 12 - House Sparrow
  • 1 - House Finch
  • 3 - Field Sparrow
  • 1 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 65 - Red-winged Blackbird
  • 4 - Common Grackle
  • 4 - Northern Cardinal
  • 2 - Indigo Bunting (nvo)

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S242222343

Ballard Nature Center - May 27th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☁️️
  • Overcast clouds
  • Temperature: 60°F
  • Wind: Light breeze
  • Wind Direction: NE
  • Cloud Cover: 100%
  • Humidity: 62%
  • Sunrise: 5:33am
  • Sunset: 8:11pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 1 - Hooded Merganser
  • 2 - Green Heron
  • 1 - Turkey Vulture
  • 2 - Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • 1 - Eastern Wood-Pewee (nvo)
  • 1 - Great Crested Flycatcher (nvo)
  • 3 - Eastern Kingbird
  • 2 - American Crow
  • 5 - Tree Swallow
  • 5 - Purple Martin
  • 3 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • 1 - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (nvo)
  • 4 - American Robin
  • 2 - House Sparrow
  • 2 - American Goldfinch
  • 1 - Eastern Towhee
  • 1 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 27 - Red-winged Blackbird
  • 3 - Common Grackle

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S243397344

Yes. That's an image of a raccoon and not a bird.

Ballard Nature Center - May 31th, 2025

Weather Conditions

  • ☀️️️️️
  • Clear sky
  • Temperature: 83°F
  • Wind: Moderate breeze - fresh breeze
  • Wind Direction: W
  • Cloud Cover: 0%
  • Humidity: 37 - 38%
  • Sunrise: 5:31am
  • Sunset: 8:14pm
  • Weather generated by RainCrow

Bird Sightings

  • 3 - Hooded Merganser
  • 2 - Mourning Dove
  • 2 - Green Heron
  • 1 - Great Blue Heron
  • 2 - Turkey Vulture
  • 1 - Red-headed Woodpecker
  • 1 - Downy Woodpecker
  • 1 - Eastern Wood-Pewee (nvo)
  • 2 - Blue Jay
  • 13 - Tree Swallow
  • 1 - Purple Martin
  • 5 - Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • 1 - Northern House Wren (nvo)
  • 4 - Eastern Bluebird
  • 2 - House Sparrow
  • 1 - Field Sparrow
  • 2 - Baltimore Oriole
  • 36 - Red-winged Blackbird
  • 7 - Common Grackle
  • 3 - Northern Cardinal

Additional Information

eBird Checklist Number - S245172441

Yes. That's an image of a turtle and not a bird.

2025 Checklists

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2026 Checklists

January

February

March

April

May

Legal Policy Things

Privacy Policy Stance on Generative AI