Nature Note:A Big Crop

It looks like we're getting a bumper crop of acorns this year.That will be welcomed by the blue jays,who feast off the pin oaks from late August to early September.The eastern chipmunks will also have some,but 90% of the acorns seem to be gathered by the blue jays,who bury many of the acorns around the area,to provide some winter food for themselves.The acorns they don't eat over the winter will produce oak seedlings in the spring.

Nature Note:High Up

A black-throated green warbler sang in the top of a pin oak on the property.This bird breeds from the Northwest Territories across to Newfoundland,and south to Georgia in the Appalachians.I had never encountered one at this low an elevation-420 feet,or 128 meters.It favors open tracts of pine or Canadian hemlock,especially above 2500 feet,or 762 meters.The forest bird hasn't been seen since five days ago,so I'm wondering if it will ever be down here in the foothills again.It measures five inches long,or 13 centimeters,and has white wing bars,in addition to its striking black throat and olive upperparts.There are certainly open tracts of white pine here for it to breed in.

Nature Note:Northern Breeze

A northern breeze has brought us down to below average temperatures from well-above average readings-a bizarre experience for growers doing their seeding.Those who thought they won't put the heat on again will have to think again as it becomes chilly tonight.The flannel and sweaters are having another day,but a mere sprinkle isn't clearing the oak pollen away from our noses.The sunglasses weren't needed as we planted this morning,and we didn't have to worry about young plants withering in baked earth.All in all,it's better not to race into high summer.

Nature Note:Rudbeckia

The woodland is edged with rudbeckia,or black-eyed susans.When they go to seed,these wildflowers will feed the white-throated sparrows who have arrived for the winter,as well as the resident tufted titmice.There is some fall color in the silver maples,red maples and pin oaks,but peak color won't be till next week.The cool,dry air and bright sun ,as well as the yellow rudbeckia,intensify the leaves above the path.

Nature Note:Indian Summer

For the past 10 days,it has been warm with cool nights.This is Indian Summer,which is a warm spell after the first frost.It is probably the last warm spell until April.It is harder and harder for warmth to build up as the sun's angle in the sky lowers,and the days shorten.Red is brushing the pin oak leaves.The Northern Sun forsythia is turning maroon even while it has bloomed lightly in the warmth.

Nature Note:Acorn Crop

The local pin oak trees will yield a good crop of acorns this year.Tiny acorns have already appeared on their branches.As autumn nears,the acorns will bulk up.Even so,they are among the smaller acorns.Blue jays,as well as chipmunks and other squirrels,will harvest them in short order starting in late August.Within a few weeks,they will all be eaten or stored for the winter.