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Will This Be the Best Birdwatching Weekend of the Year?

JJ/WCAI

Many years, Memorial Day weekend is the best of the year for birding. Historically, it is the hands-down winner for providing the most exciting birding of the spring migration, as both vagrants and visitors alike appear during this long weekend.

It also is a time of fervent activity among area nesting species. For something different, try waking up about 4 A.M. and listen to the dawn chorus that begins around 4:25. Head out to some undeveloped conservation land and be amazed at the staggering amount and volume of bird song. All the singing birds are declaring their presence and defense of a breeding territory from others of their kind. It is one of the wonders of the natural world - the real world.

Even if the winds and weather conspire to make for conditions that are less than conducive for land bird migration along the coastline, there will be other birds, in the form of sea birds. This upcoming weekend is always great for birding.