Greenfield Lake in May

Greenfield Lake Park in May (Photo Highlights below)

Custom map of Greenfield Lake, with reference points. Made by Curtis Downey, May 2020.

May marks the transition between spring and summer in the Carolinas. Temperatures are rising while the last day of frost is behind us. At this point most of the trees have filled in and the early blooming woodland herbs have given way to summer wildflowers. For the birds, migration is coming to an end and nesting is in full swing. 

"Mayflying" at Greenfield 

Since March, I have taken many walks around Greenfield Lake and saw the bottomland forests and gardens transition from a barren winter landscape to a sea of green in the timeframe of two months. Migratory songbirds have come and gone. All winter residents except for some Cedar Waxwings and some Cormorants have left for their breeding grounds. Most breeding residents are now in place with active nests throughout. May is the time when birdlife begins to wind down as birds shift their focus to raising their young. In place of birds, there will be butterflies, dragonflies, bees/wasps, frogs, and reptiles to enjoy around the park, and as of May 4th, I already heard my first cicada of the season (a Hieroglyphic Cicada). Below is an update of what's going  on at Greenfield Lake as of May 13th, 2020.

Observations 

• Grey Catbirds, Yellow Throated Warblers, Protonotary Warblers, Parulas, Gnatcatchers, Orchard Orioles, Crested Flycatchers, and Red Eyed Vireos are the most numerous summer residents. 

• Most bird species present in the park are breeders with the exception of small groups of waxwings, some Double Crested Cormorants, and late migrants such as Blackpoll Warblers, and Blue Grosbeaks. 

• There are Tree, Barn, Rough Winged Swallows, Purple Martins, and Sand Martins (Bank Swallow) over the lake as well as many Chimney Swifts 

• A family of Wood Ducks and a single family of Canada Geese have young at the park 

•  Common and Fish Crows are nesting in the woodland on the eastern side of the park

• Most Common Grackles nesting along the water have chicks, while the Red Winged Blackbirds are breeding between the Large Wooden Bridge and a picnic area near a section called Jackson Point. 

• There are at least two Red Shouldered Hawk pairs, a Mississippi Kite pair, Cooper's Hawk, nesting in the park along with the resident Barred Owls 

• Most woodpeckers have fledglings at this point, as does the two White Breasted Nuthatch pairs

• As for non-avian wildlife, there are turtles (Sliders and Snapping Turtles) laying eggs, young alligators, and plenty of Grey Squirrels (and even saw a Fox Squirrel)

• With trees filled in, look in the meadows or lawns for wildflowers such as fleabane, coreopsis, Lyre Leaved Sage, clover, and various lilies 

• Carolina Rose, Buttonbush, Titi, and Tulip Poplar are among the blooming shrubs.

• Keep an eye out for Least Terns feeding over the lake, especially near the Boathouse and Lock Channel (Levy) area.

Highlighted Park Residents 

1/8: American Alligator Mar 2020

2/8: Male Protonotary Warbler near Wood Bridge, Apr 2020

3/8: Mississippi Kite near chosen nest tree

4/8: Red Shouldered Hawk overlooking meadow, May 2020

5/8: Male Red Winged Blackbird near Jackson Point picnic area, May 2020

6/8: Common Snapping Turtle laying eggs near Boathouse, May 2020

7/8: White Breasted Nuthatch holding worm with fledgling, Apr 2020

8/8: Male Wood Duck near Boathouse after he chased off a rival, May 2020