Watch for this season's newcomers in your backyard

Gray Catbird

Keep an eye out for the arrival of summertime birds in your backyards, forests and fields.

Listen for the mewing sound of the Gray Catbird. They should be here any day now. Of course, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds made their appearance on April 15 in the Easton area. They should be spreading out across the Lehigh Valley.

Chipping and Field sparrows are arriving, while American Tree Sparrows probably have left already. The newcomers readily visit feeders for seed. In another few weeks, White-throated and White-crowned sparrows will move onward.

Dark-eyed Juncos will fly north or to the high mountain ranges by the end of the month. You probably are still seeing few of them right now.

House Wren

The perky-tailed House Wren will join the Carolina Wren for the summer. Make sure your bird houses are ready; they'll be searching for mates and nesting sites.

Yellow-rumped Warblers, which may visit feeders during the winter, are preparing to head north, leaving probably in mid-May. They will be replaced by many different species of warbler, including the Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Hooded, Chestnut and Pine. The Nashville and Tennessee warblers will be passing by shortly. Pine Warblers may also visit feeders.

Red-breasted Grosbeaks are due to reach the Lehigh Valley later this month.These, too, stop off at feeders for seed, primarily striped or black oil sunflower seed.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Any time now, swifts and swallows will be darting on the wing around looking for insects. Watch for them near barns and overhanging structures. Tree Swallows especially take to bird houses.

Purple Martins are gregarious birds that prefer to nest in small colonies. They sheltering and nesting in multi-unit housing.

Of course, many species of backyard birds stay all year long. These include cardinals, Mourning Doves, House and Purple finches, House Sparrows and Blue Jays and mockingbirds. Male goldfinches have changed into their bright yellow-and-black colors. Robins and bluebirds are being seen more frequently.

Finally, you are bound to see greater numbers of Common Grackles and European Starlings at this time of year. Some of them had moved south for the winter but are now here in full force. Visit The Bird House for several suggestions to keep them out of your backyard.