Seasonal Calendar

Spring is the time for blooming wildflowers and migrating birds. Look for hepatica, bloodroot, blue-eyed grass, golden star and trillium in the woodlands during April and May. Pink azaleas usually bloom in mid-May to early June, while mountain laurel blossoms mid- to late June in the park's higher elevations. You can see these lush flowers along the Skyline Drive.

The peak of the bird migration is in late April and early May, when birds come to nest and breed in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When wood warblers, Canada warblers, blackburnian warblers and black-throated blue warblers arrive, they fill the forests with trilling and songs.

Summer is a busy time in Shenandoah as plants flower and animals raise their young. The blossoms of fairy candles are seen in the forest in July, and Turk's cap lilies and evening primroses bloom in open areas. In August, false foxgloves are found in groves of oak trees. Look for sunflowers and thistles as well.

By July, the fledglings must learn to fly and leave the nest. You'll see chestnut-sided warblers, indigo buntings, black-throated blue and scarlet tanagers, and goldfinches nesting here. Tennessee and Cape May warblers stop briefly in the park in August on their way to points farther north.

Goldenrod is a harbinger of autumn, when leaves turn and the migratory birds fly south. White snakeroots, asters, gentians and goldenrod bloom as the colorful fall display of leaves begins in late September and reaches its peak in mid- to late October. 

The migratory birds travel south to their winter nesting grounds in the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. For protection from predatory birds, songbirds fly at night in groups. They then rest and forage during the day. Hawks migrate by day; their peak migration through the park is in mid-September.

Winter in Shenandoah is cold and quiet as life slows down, but as you explore the park you will find that it is full of life. You may hear the hoot of the owl, the caw of the raven or the gobble of the wild turkey, all of which are year-round residents of the park. The chickadee, downy woodpecker, titmouse and other small birds flock together during winter to forage and for protection. Some northern birds, such as the white-throated sparrow, hermit thrush and purple finch, also winter in the park.