June Nature Happenings

• June is Perennial Garden Month & National Rivers Month
• Most all birds are feeding their young. Fledglings are seen relentlessly begging for food.
• Young raptors are flying.
• Phainopeplas move from the desert to the coast for a second nesting.
• House Finch young can be seen at feeders. You may need to add millet to your regular mix for June and July.
• Hummingbirds continue to nest.
• Orioles and grosbeaks are fledging their young and coming to feeders.
• Some warblers and other migrating songbirds have left the area.
• Cicadas or "cactus dodgers" emerging. Males are loudly buzzing to attract mates
• Gopher snakes and kingsnakes lay eggs.
• Desert wildflower bloom is over so hummingbird feeders are getting busier.
• Lesser nighthawks are heard at night and seen capturing insects in well-lit areas
• Large, orange and yellow cicada-killer wasps are out capturing and paralyzing cicadas to feed their developing larvae
• Lone Mockingbirds sing, occasionally all night