Birding enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of colorful songbirds each spring in the Ocean State. These neotropical migrants include warblers, tanagers, vireos and others that visit Rhode Island in the summer and head back south for the winter.

“It is awe inspiring that tiny, feathered jewels, like the ruby-throated hummingbird, which weighs just 4 grams, can make their way from the subtropics to New England and back again every year,” said Lauren Parmelee, Audubon senior director of education. “It is a joy to experience spring migration, when we welcome so many birds back to Southern New England.”

Each year approximately 25 species of warblers can be regularly spotted in Rhode Island, but that number rises if you are lucky enough to observe uncommon or rare species. The Ocean State is not only a summer home to many colorful warblers, but also serves as a stopover for several species that are making their way to northern forests. The greatest diversity of spring migrants usually peaks in mid-May, and that’s why many birding enthusiasts refer to this season as their favorite time of the year.

Get out and discover the joy of birding with walks offered throughout the month of May at locations across the state. Novice birders are welcome. Just grab your binoculars, join an Audubon expert, and search for spring migrants on the trails.

The walks are free; but, see the full schedule and register in advance (which is required) at asri.org/calendar.

• Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk, Mass., on Sundays, May 5, to 26, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and on Saturday, May 25, from 9 to 11 a.m.

• Emilie Reucker Wildlife Refuge, Seapowet Road, Tiverton, on Mondays, May 6 and 20, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, on Monday, May 13, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, on Tuesdays, May 7 to 28, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

• Birding for the Hard of Hearing Community (HH) at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk, on Saturday, May 11, from 9 to 11 a.m.