The generosity and compassion of the late reknowned Island naturalist and teacher Gus BenDavid had a huge impact on the people and natural history of the Vineyard. Gus always seemed to be interested in sharing his natural history knowledge and experience with any and all.

There are young birds in our yards, woods, fields and on our beaches. Their antics are fun to watch and their presence confirms that this species has indeed nested here.

A fork-tailed flycatcher is not supposed to be here, as their northernmost population is in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

The northward migration is over for all practical purposes and now all birds in the northern hemisphere are nesting and raising their next generation.

Yes, I am writing about whales that were not seen from the Island!

Only two olive-sided flycatchers have been seen in the spring according to the website e-bird’s records. Now we have a third spring sighting, as Jenna Albaugh and Sky Kardell photographed one at Wasque Reservation on June 2.

It’s about time. I got an email from Wayne Smith with an attached photograph of a hawk at the nest containing three chicks. Finally, with that photo, the red-shouldered hawk becomes the newest species known to nest on the Island.

Spring is well underway, when many insectivores (birds that eat insects) arrive. And have they ever arrived.

Can you believe it is already May? Last month flew by, what with all the bird sightings, and the peak migration is yet to come. Get out your ears and binoculars. You will need them.

Birders love migration! Birds are arriving that we have not seen since last year.