August NATURE NOTES
By Katie Andersen
Which birds can we expect and what else is happening in nature this month?
Read on to find out more!
Purple Martins and other swallows begin congregating at staging grounds before heading south. Presque Isle frequently (but not always) hosts large roosts in the bay where the reed islands are. Martins and other swallows will also congregate at the marina, perching on any available surface. This year, DCNR will be hosting martin viewing parties on August 6th & 20th. Register HERE.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Cardinal Flower by Katie Andersen
Monarch Butterflies begin migrating.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration peaks late August / early September.
Flocks of Common Nighthawks & Chimney Swifts can be seen in the skies over Erie late in the month.
Baltimore Oriole migration generally wraps up by end of month.
Pectoral Sandpiper by Katie Andersen
Shorebird migration builds. Shorebirds arriving at Gull Point from across the lake can show up throughout the day. Be sure to give any shorebirds you see at Presque Isle or elsewhere plenty of space to rest and feed in peace, as they have long, strenuous journeys ahead of them.
Early warblers (Cape May, Magnolia, Blackburnian), many flycatchers, and Broad-winged Hawks migrate through the area.
Waterfowl migration starts.
Fall migration is a great time to watch for unexpected vagrant species to show up. Young birds making their first migration, in particular, tend to do this, but weather events and even solar activity can cause birds of all ages to get off course during migration.
American Goldfinches finish nesting late August. Young birds will look like the winter-plumaged adults, but typically have light cinnamon wingbars instead of white ones. Watch for begging young following the adults at the feeders in your yard!
Monarch Butterfly on Coneflower by Katie Andersen
Month of the Spider - their numbers and webs reach peak volume.
Puffball mushrooms are up.
Peak month for summer wildflowers to bloom. Look for cardinal flower, ironweed, blue-eyed grass, coneflowers, wood sunflowers, Joe-Pye-weed, goldenrods, and more.
Blackberries are ripe.
August 2024 Dates Of Note:
New Moon - August 4th; Full Moon - August 19th
Perseid Meteor Shower peaks August 11th through 13th