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 |
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
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.
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.
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
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| 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
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| 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!
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| Fairy fingers fungi |
Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters
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| 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.
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| A bee caught in October frost Local Image - origin unknown (sorry) |
