inferior conjunction in late May.
March not May.... then it's badly placed in the morning sky until July/August when it's already small & gibbous.
For Feb & March data as follows (date, phase, diameter, elongation, magnitude)
Jan 29, 0.431, 28.7, +46, -4.4
Feb 08, 0.365, 32.8, +44, -4.5
Feb 18, 0.288, 38.0, +41, -4.5
Feb 28, 0.200, 44.4, +35, -4.5
Mar 10, 0.108, 51.6, +26, -4.4
Mar 20, 0.033, 57.6, +12, -4.1
Mar 30, 0.011, 59.1, -4, -3.9
(Data from British Astronomical Association Handbook 2009)
Incidentally Venus is well north of the ecliptic at the time of inferior conjunction (Mar 27) and there is therefore an unusual opportunity to see Venus as morning and evening star on the same date for a few days around this date. (Subject, of course, to having clear east & west horizons & with full cooperation of the Cloud Gods...)
