Wachusett Outdoor Window
By Ted Purcell
Community Correspondent
July was quite a ride. For those of us here in Central Mass., it was certainly rainier than usual and hotter and muggier than recent years, though not off the charts. Other parts of the country have been way hotter than usual, and up North in Vermont and part of New Hampshire there were huge problems with flooding. Friends who boat the saltwater in Long Island Sound and the Merrimack River reported debris, including large logs, in the water, that posed a hazard and required extra caution, even out as far as Block Island.
One good thing about this wet July is that it “plumps” up the blueberry crop. Late July into August is blueberry season, and both wild and “cultivated” blueberries are picking well right now.
“Crickets and cicadas sing” is a line from one of my favorite Grateful Dead songs and must have been written in August, or at least with August on the mind. While bird song has decreased noticeably, insect song and sounds are picking up. Particularly late afternoon into evening and even overnight, the chorus of crickets, cicadas, grasshoppers and katydids replaces bird song and brings back fond memories of sitting on the porch or around a campfire or sleeping outside and listening to that constant chattering and chirping. That chorus will fill that air well through September and perhaps until the first frost. Even though you may have to slap a few mosquitos to do it, be sure to get out and experience the sound.
An added bonus is the annual Perseid meteor shower(s) in August. Earth’s orbit brings us through the tail of a comet between mid-July and early September and often allows for some of the year’s best meteors, aka shooting stars. The shower peaked Aug. 12 and 13, but on any given night one can see them. They are often the long “slow” streaking meteors “burning up” as pieces of the comet enter Earth’s atmosphere. We often enjoy them in the early morning hours when heading out fishing. The big sky offered by the water allows for good viewing
Another evening August spectacle is migrations, particularly those of dragonflies and nighthawks. Dragonflies begin to “stage” (fancy for get ready) to migrate and can be seen, often dozens at a time, in late afternoon or evening. Many are the larger dragonflies called Darners, often up to 6 inches, the size of small birds. They are buzzing around, often eating mosquitos and putting on quite a show. If it is quiet, you can hear their wings and jaws going. In the last two weeks of August, in the evening look up and you often can see common nighthawks migrating. The sleek, streamlined flyers, larger than robins but smaller than crows, have a patch of white at each “elbow” on their wings. Often they will be flying along and then stall and zigzag over an area filling up on insects for their flight south.
Mardi Gras colors (purple, green and gold) in August?
Queen Anne’s lace, goldenrod, asters, red clover, purple loosestrife, yellow loosestrife (aka swamp candles), black eyed Susans and Joe pye weed, just to name a few, are wildflowers (some will call them weeds) that are the colors of August. You can find these flowers in fields and meadows, road edges, the sides of our rail trails and the edges of our woods. Look closely and you will see the flowers busy with pollinators — bees, flies, ants, butterflies and moths — that are getting food and spreading the flower’s pollen. Many of us think of honey bees when we hear “pollinator,” probably because they get air play because they make honey. Truth be told, they are not native, and in terms of importance in pollinating our native plants are not the most important. Mason bees, sweat bees, calligrapher flies and numerous species of bumblebees are native and do most of the pollinating work, and some are tiny.
These colors of August are worth checking out, and unlike many of our spring wildflowers, these tend to stay out in bloom for quite some time. Last year a neighbor recommended the book Braiding Sweetgrass, written by a woman of Native American descent who has a doctorate in botany. In it she describes how she has used her science education and her background of native teachings to teach others about the environment. It is one of those books with chapters that stand alone as stories and lessons, and while not a page-turning beach novel, it makes for a nice leisurely read. In one chapter she describes how in a meadow in summer and early fall one often sees yellow/gold flowers (goldenrod, black eyed Susans) mixed in with purple/bluish flowers (clover, chicory, asters). It turns out that these colors compliment each other and when together attract more insects than when alone, thus increasing the likelihood of being pollinated and reproducing.
Like it or not, August often is when we begin to see signs of the coming fall. When weather fronts come through, they will sometimes give us winds from the North or Northwest, which means cooler and drier (less humid) air. Since May, our winds have been primarily from the South/Southwest, which brings us our summer heat. Sunsets will start to happen before 8 p.m. once again, and nights will generally be cooler, which is nice for sleeping. Every year a few swamp (red) maples start to turn color and my wife cringes, but no need to worry, the majority of leaves turning are two months away.
These North winds will start to bring migrating birds and will also stimulate ocean fish, such as striped bass, bluefish and even small tuna such as bonito and false albacore, to feed, offering some great fishing opportunities. Our son recently was lucky enough to get an invite to fish in the open ocean south of Martha’s Vineyard, and they caught and brought home both yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Sushi and tuna steaks were on the menu most of the week.
Featured flora and fauna
Wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
On one of my recent drives around the area to look for and photograph birds and other wildlife, I saw a turtle crossing a dirt road here in Rutland. Upon getting examination and wondering if I should help it cross the road, I recognized it was a wood turtle. This species is not common, or at least not commonly seen, and is listed as a protected species in Massachusetts. They are one of two species of turtles that are primarily “land” turtles, at least in spring and summer.
Our most common turtles, painted and snapping, are found in ponds, except when they leave to lay eggs. Wood turtles prefer streams in fall and winter and favor what scientists call “riparian” habitats, those near streams and rivers. Their shells are greenish brown, and under their neck and belly they are orange, which makes them distinctive. I was able to get a nice photo of this one and watch it cross the street in safety, despite road work. I doubt I will ever witness it, but this species has a really cool adaptation for getting food, called “stomping.” They stomp the ground with their feet, which causes earthworms to come out of the top layer of soil. When they do, the turtle grabs them for a meal. In my life I have only seen two wood turtles, and the first had been hit by a car. Turtle crossing signs and awareness and education about turtles are what will likely keep them from going extinct. We cannot stop human development, but we can take these and other measures during construction of bridges and around rivers and streams to help these guys survive. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has a great page on this species and many others if you look online.
The wet July spawned a healthy crop of mosquitos, but do not let that keep you from getting outside. Many of our local walking and hiking trails will take you through these summer meadows. Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary, Moore State Park, Rutland State Park, the North Dike at Wachusett Reservoir or Trout Brook all offer meadows. Of course there are many in neighborhoods and people’s backyards. Butterflies are out in force on sunny days.
