October Nature Happenings

• Chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and jays are caching seeds and nuts for the winter.
• Blue Jays bury acorns and other nuts to be eaten later. They have an excellent memory and know where most acorns are buried. As a result of uneaten, cached acorns, this species is responsible for "planting" some oak trees.
• Cormorants, geese, ducks, cranes, etc. usually fly in a "V" formation. Supposedly, all but the lead bird gain lift from wing-tipped vortices produced by the lead bird.
• This is the month to install and repair nest boxes for use next spring. Some birds will use nest boxes to roost during the cold winter months.
• Juncos and white-throated sparrows arrive at feeders.
• Autumn colors peak in the third week of the month.
• Ruby-throated hummingbirds will be be gone by the middle of the month.
• Migration numbers swell for Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creepers, Winter Wrens and kinglets.
• Pine Siskin return early this month and in late-September.
• Most Wood Ducks migrate south this month. A few stay over winter.
• Orionids meteor shower is late-October.