Wildflower Week 2026
Wild Bird DesignScapes Community Portal
Seasonal Planting
& Species Calendar
A month-by-month guide to planting, blooming, bird activity, and habitat tasks for Eastern Pennsylvania's Western Main Line — enhanced with live species data from eBird's Chester County observations.
Species counts from eBird historic observations · eBird — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
May
Planting Tasks
- Plant container-grown native perennials, shrubs, and trees
- Sow warm-season native grass seed after soil reaches 60°F
- Plant native ferns in shady, moist areas
- Mulch new plantings with 2–3 inches of shredded hardwood or leaf mulch
What's Blooming
- Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) — pink flowers in woodland edges
- Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) — host plant for Black Swallowtail
- Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) — fragrant blue clouds in shade
- Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) — unique hooded flower
- Native azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) — spectacular woodland shrubs
Birds to Expect
Bob's Picks- Scarlet Tanager — stunning red bird in oak canopy; listen for 'robin with a sore throat'
- Indigo Bunting — electric blue male sings from exposed perches
- Warbling Vireo — hidden in canopy; persistent song all day
- Magnolia Warbler — peak warbler migration; check any flowering tree
- Great Crested Flycatcher — loud 'wheep!' from forest edges
- Eastern Kingbird — aggressive flycatcher on exposed perches
Habitat Tasks
- Monitor all nest boxes weekly — peak nesting season
- Allow caterpillars to feed on native plants — they are bird food
- Do NOT spray pesticides — you are killing the food web
- Add a shallow dish of water with pebbles for butterflies and bees
eBird Species Data
The most diverse month for birding. Warbler fallouts, breeding displays, and the last spring migrants pass through.
Data: eBird — Cornell Lab of Ornithology · Chester County, PA · 2025 observations
Year at a Glance — Eastern Pennsylvania
Plan, order, observe. Leave everything standing for wildlife.
Plant, remove invasives, monitor nest boxes, enjoy migration.
Water, resist deadheading, let caterpillars feed the birds.
Best planting season. Leave the leaves. Observe and plan.
Ready to Get Started?
Use the full DIY Guide for step-by-step habitat transformation instructions, or browse the Native Plant Library to find the right plants for your property.