July's Nature Happenings

Bird Activity

Immature hummingbirds show up at nectar feeders (early)
Mallards and Wood Ducks molt into "eclipse" plumage – unable to fly for several weeks
Watch local ponds for immature herons and bitterns
Blackbirds begin to flock together – start showing up at feeders
Listen for the feeding screeches of young Barred and Great Horned Owls

Migration

Fall shorebird migration starts this month
Tree Swallow begin arriving from the north in SE week 2
Barn Swallow – fall migration begins week 2 (protracted through November)

Evening Serenade

Katydids and Cicadas in full chorus by the middle of the month

Other Wildlife

Garter Snakes give birth to live young
Fawns begin traveling with adult females

Tidy Up

Keep birdbaths clean and mosquito free!
Keep feeders clean and seed fresh

Plants and Flowers

Enjoy the summer blossoms of Crape Myrtle, St. John's Wort, Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower
Look for hummingbirds feeding on Trumpet Creeper, Jewelweed, Bee Balm and Cardinal flowers
Thistle plants begin to seed, goldfinch gather thistledown for nesting material
Butterfly milkweed in bloom; look for Monarch Butterflies – adult, eggs and larva
Butterflies love Joe Pye weed and goldenrod