Nature Sneak Peek - October 2026

October really marks the end of most of our wild plant growth and the transitory migration period of much of our summer birds. We use different eyes on the trails this month. Eyes that look to the treetops and skies and eyes that scour the ground and trees to spot elusive fungi. 

What will we see on the trails this month?

Trees

Fall Leaf Color

Tamaracks
Image - EEK! Environmental Education for Kids

The leaves in the Driftless will spend most of the month finishing their life cycle. The stem end is sealing and getting ready to loose the leaves from the trees and bushes. And of course before that happens, spectacular color is in store followed by the more muted umbers of later fall. By Halloween, save for oaks and a few other late tree species, most leaves of deciduous trees will be down.

Tamarack Gold

These trees are a deciduous conifer. In mid- to late October, the needles of these woods and wetlands trees turn a golden yellow. Then they shed their needles 

Plants

October is the swan song for the very last flowering plants. Mostly we see seedheads with their feathery tops ready for October and November to blow their seeds far and wide. You will still see a few blooming flowers but once frost hits, blooms and insects alike are tough to find.

Asters 

These forbs still linger. These small-petaled beauties have a surprising large family of white, pink, blue and purple forms. They are especially prominent on woods walks and lend a bright pop of color alongside fading ferns.

Gentians
A few gentian species may hang on as well. If you are lucky, you may spot bottle gentian, stiff gentian or yellow gentian tucked away near sunnier wetlands and wild prairies.

Grasses

The towering grasses, in full seed, dominate prairies.

Hardy Bloomers

Keep an eye out for very late-blooming coneflower species, brown-eyed Susan, evening primrose, yarrow, and goldenrods. These bloomers are often smaller and tucked in among taller grasses and plants.

Birds

Migratory Songbirds
Songbirds have been heading to their wintering grounds since late August. The woods and filelds have quieted with only the sounds of bluejays, woodpeckers, owls and other over-wintering birds to pierce the soundscape. With leaves off the trees it is easier to spot sparrows in their late migration passing through. Watch Cornell University's Birdcast for forecasts of large nightly migrations like we had overnight on Thursday, October 1. Sunday's night's forecast is predicted to be huge for bird migration in the Driftless again. Be sure to turn off your lights at night to help these migrators.

Migratory Waterfowl

The diving ducks join the dabblers in migration. Geese and swans (trumpeters and tundras) are more numerous. Their migration is far from done but you will spot these water birds more often in open water, ponds and sloughs.

Grouse

Listen for the drumming of grouse on woods walks. Older males often drum when this year's now-grown chicks enter their territory.

Insects

Autumn meadowhawk - 
Note the reddish color

Crickets and Grasshoppers 

These hardy insects continue their busy lives and are, until frost, a sound most often heard on the prairie.

Autumn Meadowhawk Dragonflies

These are some of the last dragonflies active in the fall season. Their distinct red abdomen make them easy to spot. Watch for any sunny spot in wetlands and near water this month and you will see them warming before they continue their hunting activity.

Fungi

Wood ear fungi

Keep your eyes on trailsides, stumps, deadwood - and grass! Fall is a most excellent time to spot mushrooms, ghost pipe, and fungi of every kind and description. From edible maitake mushroom to dog nose fungus to lobster mushroom to wood ear and coral fungi to fairy fingers to dryads saddle to crowded parchment mushroom, there is a fungus or non-plant feast in the woods each fall.

No matter where you go this month, be curious. Take some extra time to look and see what you can see along the trail. You’ll be delighted!

Fairy fingers fungi

Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters

Rough blazing star seedhead displays remarkable beauty

You can read my quarterly column on seasonal observations and hiking suggestions in Inspire(d) Driftless magazine available online or pick up a free copy at businesses and organizations around the Driftless areas of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

A bee caught in October frost
Local Image - origin unknown (sorry)