I've combined 2 weeks (Nov. 18th - Dec. 1st) into a single posting for a few of reasons. First, we experienced several days of inclement weather, so I didn't get out much. Also, with the holidays coming up, I'd been a bit distracted with other things. Finally, there wasn't a lot of discernible changes in the local landscape over the past two weeks. However, at the end of week 48 a cold front moved into the area, making it feel somewhat normal for this date.
Given that it is the last days of Autumn, I think I'll begin this posting with the trees.
The last of the trees are finally dropping their leaves. I've noticed that, for the most part, the species that hold onto their foliage the longest are of Asian or European origin. Norway Maple, English Oak, Japanese Maple and Ginkgo are a few that held out until Winter was nearly upon us.
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(Mostly) Norway Maple
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English Oak
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Laceleaf Japanese Maple
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There are still plenty of fruiting plants to help the wildlife through the Winter months. Red Oaks had a banner year and there are piles of acorns blanketing the ground beneath those trees. Rosehips are also plentiful. A few other species I've noticed with fruiting bodies are Cherry Birch, Carolina Silverbell and Privet.
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Red Oak acorns
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| Rosehips |
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Cherry Birch
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Carolina Silverbell
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| Privet |
Witch-Hazel is in bloom, which is expected, but I was surprised to also find a patch of lavender still flowering.
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American Witch-Hazel
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| Lavender |
Purple Finch and American Goldfinch numbers are still increasing, as are Fox Sparrows. Our typical winter species, such as White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse seemed to have stabilized.
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Purple Finch
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American Goldfinch
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Fox Sparrow
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White-breasted Nuthatch
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Red-breasted Nuthatch
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Tufted Titmouse
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Two species of warbler observed were Palm Warbler and Orange-crowned Warbler, the latter of which is historically half-hardy and often overwinters in our area.
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Palm Warbler
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Orange-crowned Warbler
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An unexpected sighting over the past weekend was of an Eastern Phoebe. This flycatcher winters in southeastern United States to southern Mexico. An insectivore, I wouldn't think that it would find much to eat, however, we did have one spend the winter at Crescent Water a few years ago.
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Eastern Phoebe
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Our overwintering immature Red-headed Woodpecker was observed excavating a couple of cavities in a Sugar Maple at Hemlock Avenue. This species of woodpecker will use those holes to sleep in during the cold months, fiercely protecting them from other birds, as well as, squirrels.
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Immature Red-headed Woodpecker
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In addition to our local Red-tailed Hawks, our wintering songbirds have to be extremely wary of several other raptor species. At least three Cooper's Hawks, a couple of Sharp-shinned Hawks, two Merlins and several American Kestrels can be seen hunting in the cemetery nearly everyday.
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Cooper's Hawk
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Sharp-shinned Hawk with goldfinch
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| Merlin |
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American Kestrel
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One last, unusual observation was of a Common Buckeye butterfly. This species normally has its last brood by October. In southern states they can be seen throughout the winter. Until recently, we've had relatively mild conditions, which might explain its procrastination. Hopefully it continued migrating south to warmer climes before it was too late.
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Common Buckeye
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