October Nature Happenings
- Oct. 2: NEW Moon; Oct 17: FULL (Hunter's) Moon
- Oct 8-9: Draconid meteor shower peaks
- Oct 21-22: Orionid meteor shower peaks Oct 22nd (debris from Halley's Comet).
- Blue Jays and squirrels cache acorns, seeds, and nuts to be eaten later.
They have an excellent memory and know where most acorns are buried.
As a result of uneaten, cached acorns, this species is responsible for "planting" some oak trees. - Mid-October brings the greatest variety of migrating raptors, including Golden Eagles and
Red-shouldered Hawks. Watch the skies ahead of a High Pressure for circling hawks! - Autumn colors peak in the third week of October.
- Goldenrods, Asters, Bonesets and Blazing Stars are in bloom.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have departed by the 20th. Call us 823-7889 if you see a
hummingbird at your feeder after this date! It's probably a Western species!!! - White-tailed Deer bucks go into rut.
- Juncos and White-throated Sparrows become common at feeders.
Watch for White-crowned Sparrows and Fox Sparrows on their way south! - Woodchucks are feeding profusely in preparation for hibernation.
- Beavers are very active in the evenings while caching a winter supply of food.
- Green-winged Teals, Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, and Mallards are migrating south.
Waterfowl migration continues to build. Cormorants, geese, ducks, cranes, swans, ...
usually fly in a "V" formation. Supposedly, all but the lead bird gain lift from wing-tipped vortices
produced by the lead bird and those immediately in front. - Look for American Tree Sparrows and Pine Siskin at your feeders. Our area is their "Florida".
- Goldfinches have molted into their winter colors! Watch for them on your Nyjer feeders!
Keep your seed fresh and dry with a Weather Guard!
Enjoy the antics of birds at your feeders!!!