In May, many species of birds are nesting and mammals such as beavers and woodchucks are giving birth; you may see red fox pups playing outside their den. Be on the lookout for butterflies like black and Eastern tiger swallowtails, cabbage whites, mourning cloaks, and Spring azures emerging from their chrysalises. Lady slippers, Clintonia, gold thread, and painted trillium will begin to flower. I saw my first wild asparagus spears poking through the ground yesterday—enough to add to a salad tonight!