Week 33 - Green-Wood Cemetery

We're approaching the close of summer and many of our southbound migratory bird species seem to be stalled north of us. There are trees fruiting to help refuel them when they arrive, and there are lots of insects on the menu, too. Here's my summary for the week of August 12th through the 18th.

The juvenile Chipping Sparrows I mentioned in previous posts are beginning to look more like the adults. The only other juvenile specie that I observed was Song Sparrow. I was pleasantly surprised as they've been relatively scarce. I'd been hearing a male singing at the Sylvan Water, but rarely saw it. On Tuesday an adult perched in front of me accompanied by a chirping juvenile.

Song Sparrow with juvenile

An early Overbird continued in the understory at Pine Hill, with a second one at Dell Water. The only other warblers seen last week (and in low numbers) were Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler and Canada Warbler. The Magnolia and Canada were new arrivals.

Ovenbird

American Redstart

A couple of Eastern Wood-Pewees were also new southbound arrivals seen last week. We should be seeing many more flycatcher species in the next few weeks. I also spotted my first Wood Thrush of the season within a nice mixed flock of birds at Pine Hill.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Wood Thrush

It's interesting to note that in the last week to ten days Northern Flicker abundance has been gradually increasing in the cemetery. This is a species that, at some point in the fall, will be feeding in large flocks within open grassy areas.

Northern Flicker

If you've found that your eyes have suddenly become itchy or your nose running, blame it on all the goldenrod that has sprung up. It may be great for an assortment of pollinators, not so much for seasonal allergies. Here are some other botanicals I observed blooming last week.

Goldenrod

New York Ironweed

Partridge Pea

Spotted Beebalm

Daisy Fleabane (and plume moth)

Blue Spirea

While their numbers are still very low, I did spot many more Monarch Butterflies last week. There seemed to be an increase in Banded Hairstreak butterflies, as well. A really cool moth that I found sleeping on a linden tree is the Widow Underwing. I'd never seen this large moth before and, perhaps, it is because they are so well camouflaged against tree bark.

Monarch on thistle

Banded Hairstreak

Widow Hairstreak

Many trees are in various stages of fruiting. The European Beech fruit are ripe and being enjoyed by the squirrels and Monk Parakeets. Wild Raisons at Sylvan Water are getting close to ripe and will be supporting many birds. The Kousa Dogwood are an important source of food for many thrushes, Orioles and even the smallest warblers. I've watched warblers (who are primarily insectivores) pecking at the fruit to get to the sweet inner pulp. Some of the crabapples are rippening. One on Vista Hill is a favorite of a variety of migratory birds, from Orioles to woodpeckers. I've already begun checking it daily. Both the Japanese Cedar and Blue Atlas Cedar have new cone crops starting. Ginkgo trees branches are heavy with fruit, but I can't think of any local wildlife that benefit from their pungent harvest. Finally, Bittersweet Nightshade is fruiting. Birds do eat their tiny, tomato-like fruit, but they are highly toxic to humans.

European Beech

Wild Raison

Kousa Dogwood

Crabapple

Japanese Cedar

Blue Atlas Cedar

Ginkgo

Bittersweet Nightshade

Along a stretch of Vale Avenue, between the Crescent Water and Summit Avenue, several groups of bolete mushrooms have emerged. My fungi identification skills need work, but I'm reasonably certain that they are Clustered Brown Bolete (Aureoboletus innixus). I'm not sure what conditions in that spot are so ideal for them, maybe it has something to do with the stretch of Pine Oaks at that location.

Clustered Brown Bolete (Aureoboletus innixus)

With a little luck, we'll see some north winds this week and with it, more birds. Until next Monday, enjoy the outdoors.