May is off to a good start. I had my morning route all planned out but that plan was derailed when I saw a newly arrived Nashville Warbler in my backyard. I then changed my route so I might see other migrants that last night's warm front may have brought in. The woods were quite bird-y this morning with a few singing Black-throated Green Warblers, Black-and-White Warblers, Nashville Warblers, and Red-eyed Vireos. A good-sized flock of Hermit Thrushes was working the woods again and I also encountered another singing Winter Wren. A big surprise was a calling Barred Owl. He called occasionally throughout the morning. I only saw him once and only briefly when he flew from one tree to another. I didn't pursue him to get a better look.
 
Also in the woods were a number of blooming Painted Trilliums. This species is rare and I have not yet seen it anywhere outside of Gatineau Park except in this one spot. Many plants are blooming early this year because of the early start to spring, but these Painted Trilliums are only three days early compared to previous years. None of these Painted Trilliums were blooming last weekend; they were all still in bud. It is interesting to observe how each year new Painted Trilliums pop up in new places in these woods and how patches from previous years disappear.