Monthly Field Guide

Pinus strobus

2,757 obs

Older needles (2-3 years old) turn yellow and drop, which is normal - don't worry, your white pine isn't dying! New cones begin forming and older cones mature to brown.

Quercus rubra

1,650 obs

Leaves turn spectacular shades of red, orange, and brown, making this one of New England's premier fall foliage trees. Mature acorns fall during September and October.

Fagus grandifolia

1,556 obs

Leaves turn golden bronze to copper, often holding their color longer than other trees. Spiny husks split open to release triangular beechnuts that wildlife eagerly collect.

Celastrus orbiculatus

1,533 obs

The spectacular orange and red fruit display peaks in October and November, while leaves turn bright yellow before dropping - fruit persists after leaves fall.

Tsuga canadensis

1,369 obs

Cones mature and turn brown, beginning to open and release seeds. The evergreen needles provide beautiful contrast to surrounding fall foliage.

Quercus alba

1,289 obs

Leaves turn beautiful shades of red, brown, and russet, and acorns ripen and fall. Fall color can be spectacular and long-lasting.

Poecile atricapillus

1,744 obs

They join mixed flocks with nuthatches, woodpeckers, and other small birds, and you'll notice them frantically caching seeds and insects in tree bark crevices for winter storage.

Buteo jamaicensis

1,340 obs

Migration season brings northern red-tails through New England, though many are year-round residents. Juvenile birds show brown, banded tails instead of red – they won't get their signature red tai...

Anas platyrhynchos

1,327 obs

Large flocks gather as northern migrants join year-round residents, and males begin molting back into their handsome breeding colors with fresh, bright plumage emerging.

Cyanocitta cristata

1,213 obs

Most visible season as they busily collect and cache acorns and nuts for winter storage, often seen making multiple trips to bury food treasures.

Junco hyemalis

1,205 obs

Migration brings increasing numbers to New England as northern birds move south, and they begin appearing at backyard feeders in growing flocks.

Dryobates pubescens

1,141 obs

Begin visiting bird feeders more regularly as natural food becomes scarcer. Their calls become less frequent as breeding activities wind down.

Sciurus carolinensis

2,356 obs

Hyperactive gathering mode as they collect and bury nuts for winter storage. You'll see them constantly on the move, cheeks bulging with acorns. Their memory for cache locations is remarkable durin...

Odocoileus virginianus

2,054 obs

Breeding season brings dramatic behavior changes — bucks become bold and aggressive, their necks swell with muscle, and they make scrapes in the ground that smell musky. Coats begin turning gray-br...

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

642 obs

Frenzied cone harvesting activity with constant chattering. Middens grow rapidly as they prepare for winter storage.

Canis latrans

590 obs

Dispersing young may be seen traveling alone, appearing inexperienced and less wary than adults. Their winter coat begins growing in, making them appear fuller and more grizzled gray in color.

Castor canadensis

523 obs

Busy storing branches underwater near their lodges for winter food. You'll see the most tree-cutting activity and fresh wood chips as they prepare for cold months.

Procyon lotor

432 obs

Raccoons bulk up dramatically for winter, sometimes doubling their weight. Their fur becomes noticeably thicker and more luxurious. Increased activity around food sources like fruit trees and garba...

Sarcomyxa serotina

761 obs

Prime season begins in late fall when temperatures drop. Fresh, actively growing clusters appear on dead hardwood as other mushroom species fade away.

Trametes versicolor

746 obs

Peak season for finding fresh, beautiful specimens as fall moisture returns. Many brackets from earlier in the year remain visible but become tougher.

Dacrymyces chrysospermus

663 obs

Peak season for Orange Jelly Spot as autumn moisture returns. Cool, damp conditions create ideal growing weather and specimens are most abundant.

Fomitopsis betulina

629 obs

Brackets continue growing and may develop stronger brown coloration. This is when many become most visible as leaves drop and expose the tree trunks.

Stereum complicatum

488 obs

Brackets reach maturity and begin hardening, becoming more papery and brittle as moisture levels drop.

Flavoparmelia caperata

480 obs

Remains visible and identifiable as leaves drop, often becoming more prominent on tree trunks. Color shifts between yellow-green and bright green with autumn rains.

Operophtera brumata

1,115 obs

Operophtera bruceata

970 obs

Sympetrum vicinum

866 obs

Peak activity time when mature red males are most visible, actively mating and laying eggs. They remain active well into October, often the last dragonflies you'll see before winter.

Harmonia axyridis

813 obs

Large numbers gather on warm, sunny surfaces preparing for winter - this is when they're most noticeable and likely to enter homes. Peak 'Halloween beetle' season in October.

Pyrrharctia isabella

490 obs

Peak time to see woolly bear caterpillars as they become fully grown and wander across roads, sidewalks, and open areas searching for protected overwintering sites. This is when most people encount...

Bombus impatiens

410 obs

New queens and males emerge for mating flights, so you might see larger individuals again. Workers continue foraging on late-season flowers like asters and goldenrod until the first hard frosts.

Flavoparmelia caperata

480 obs

Remains visible and identifiable as leaves drop, often becoming more prominent on tree trunks. Color shifts between yellow-green and bright green with autumn rains.

Umbilicaria mammulata

289 obs

Cool, moist fall conditions bring out the best coloration and flexibility, making it an ideal time for identification and photography as the lichen darkens and becomes more prominent against the rock.

Usnea strigosa

216 obs

Stands out beautifully against colorful autumn foliage, remaining constant while the tree's leaves change and drop. Often becomes more visible as deciduous trees lose their leaves.

Cladonia rangiferina

188 obs

Takes on a subtle warmth in color as autumn light filters through, and increased moisture from fall rains makes it more supple to the touch.

Dibaeis baeomyces

173 obs

Often produces a fresh flush of bright pink fruiting bodies in the cooler, moister conditions. The contrast against fallen leaves makes identification easier.

Porpidia albocaerulescens

164 obs

Increased moisture makes the lichen more vibrant and easier to spot against autumn-colored surroundings. The contrast between the smokey discs and lighter body is most pronounced.

Crepidula fornicata

334 obs

Still active but preparing for winter. Good time to find shells as autumn storms may wash specimens ashore.

Littorina littorea

278 obs

Still active but beginning to cluster more tightly in crevices. Shell colors often appear most vibrant after summer algae growth.

Spisula solidissima

183 obs

Excellent season for shell collecting as fall storms create ideal conditions for shells to wash up. Shells found now may be bleached white from summer sun exposure.

Crassostrea virginica

180 obs

Oysters are at their fattest and most flavorful as they prepare for winter, making this prime harvesting season. Shell growth slows as water temperatures drop.

Mytilus edulis

158 obs

Mussels continue growing rapidly, adding new shell material before winter. Storm activity increases, washing more empty shells onto beaches for easy collecting and identification.

Mercenaria mercenaria

144 obs

Still active and commonly harvested through autumn, with shells continuing to wash ashore after fall storms provide good beachcombing opportunities.

Oniscus asellus

304 obs

Still quite active as they prepare for winter, often found in large groups under the same log or stone. They're gathering in the dampest, most protected spots they can find.

Carcinus maenas

295 obs

Still very active but beginning to move to deeper waters. Great time for observation as they're often foraging heavily before winter.

Cancer irroratus

209 obs

Still active but beginning to move to deeper waters. Fall storms may wash some individuals into unusual intertidal spots where they're easier to find.

Semibalanus balanoides

140 obs

Adults continue feeding to build energy reserves for winter, and you may notice some barnacles beginning to look more weathered from summer wave action.

Cancer borealis

134 obs

Crabs begin moving to deeper waters as temperatures drop. Larger specimens may still be found in protected tide pools and under rocks during extreme low tides.

Hemigrapsus sanguineus

133 obs

Still very active but beginning to move to slightly deeper water. Great time to spot them as they're often fattening up before winter.

Ixodes scapularis

262 obs

Adult ticks are active again in cooler fall weather, seeking final blood meals before winter, often found on deer and other large mammals.

Araneus diadematus

145 obs

Mating season brings males wandering in search of females. Females create egg sacs and their webs may appear more tattered as they focus energy on reproduction.

Pisaurina mira

107 obs

Spiderlings disperse from nursery webs and adults continue hunting until first frost. Late fall is when you might spot the last generation of young spiders establishing territories.

Parasteatoda tepidariorum

96 obs

Adults continue to be active but may become less visible as they prepare for winter. Late-season egg sacs are laid that will overwinter.

Steatoda triangulosa

89 obs

Adults continue to be active and visible, with newly matured spiders establishing territories. Late fall brings egg-laying activity before winter dormancy.

Coras

87 obs

Plethodon cinereus

637 obs

Commonly encountered during leaf-turning season as they prepare for winter, often found clustered together under large logs or in rock crevices.

Ambystoma maculatum

158 obs

Adults remain mostly hidden underground, though you might find them under logs during mild, wet weather as they prepare for winter dormancy.

Lithobates clamitans

122 obs

Activity gradually decreases as temperatures drop, but you can still find them on warm days. They begin moving to deeper water for winter preparation.

Pseudacris crucifer

101 obs

Preparing for winter by seeking shelter under logs, bark, and leaf litter. Calling may resume briefly during warm spells but much less intense than spring.

Notophthalmus viridescens

100 obs

Adults prepare for winter by moving to deeper water. Young efts continue their land phase, often found under logs and rocks.

Lithobates sylvaticus

77 obs

Adults are actively feeding to prepare for winter, still found in forest habitat. They begin seeking out hibernation sites under logs, leaf litter, or in the soil.

Thamnophis sirtalis

370 obs

Still active but increasingly focused on feeding heavily before winter, making them bolder about hunting in open areas. Young snakes born in late summer are now pencil-thin miniatures of adults, pe...

Chrysemys picta

174 obs

Turtles remain active on warm days but begin preparing for winter, spending more time feeding and less time basking as temperatures cool.

Storeria dekayi

72 obs

Continues feeding heavily before winter, often concentrated around compost piles and leaf litter where earthworms are abundant. Still active on warm October afternoons.

Nerodia sipedon

50 obs

Increase basking behavior to build up energy reserves before winter. Young snakes born in late summer are now more visible as they hunt actively before their first winter.

Chelydra serpentina

45 obs

Still active but beginning to slow down as temperatures drop. They start moving toward deeper water areas where they'll spend the winter.

Lampropeltis triangulum

43 obs

Breeding season occurs in late summer/early fall, making them slightly more visible as they search for mates. They begin seeking winter shelter in October as temperatures drop.

Mola mola

49 obs

Still present in warmer offshore waters, though they may begin moving toward warmer southern waters as temperatures drop.

Brevoortia tyrannus

27 obs

Schools begin their southern migration, often hugging the coastline closely. This is when beach-walkers are most likely to encounter schools in shallow water.

Esox niger

26 obs

Feed heavily before winter, becoming more aggressive and easier to catch. Colors may appear more vibrant as they bulk up for the cold months ahead.

Fundulus heteroclitus

25 obs

Fish begin forming larger schools and may move to slightly deeper waters. Their colors become more subdued as breeding activity decreases.

Tautoga onitis

24 obs

Tautog remain active in shallow waters through early fall, but begin moving to deeper offshore areas as water temperatures drop. They may show slightly lighter coloration as they prepare for winter...

Salvelinus fontinalis

23 obs

Spawning season brings the most spectacular colors - reds become deeper, whites more brilliant. Males develop hooked jaws and become more territorial.

Scutigera coleoptrata

142 obs

Remain active indoors as outdoor temperatures drop, often becoming more noticeable as they move to warmer areas of the house and continue hunting for overwintering insects.

Lithobius forficatus

46 obs

Still quite active but beginning to seek deeper shelter for winter. Often found when cleaning up garden beds or moving firewood.

Pseudopolydesmus serratus

27 obs

Very active as they feed on freshly fallen leaves. Often found in deeper leaf litter as they prepare for winter dormancy.

Cylindroiulus punctatus

26 obs

Very active as they feed on freshly fallen leaves. This is often the best time to observe them as they work through the new leaf litter.

Ophyiulus pilosus

18 obs

Very active as they feed heavily on newly fallen leaves. This is often the best season for observation as they're numerous and leaf litter provides ideal habitat.

Polydesmus angustus

15 obs

Very active as they prepare for winter, often seen moving through fresh leaf fall. This is typically the best time to observe them.

Echinarachnius parma

50 obs

Storm activity increases the number of shells washing ashore. This is often the best season for collecting well-preserved white specimens as autumn storms churn up the sea floor.

Asterias rubens

41 obs

Still active but may move to slightly deeper waters as temperatures drop. Good time to find them on dock pilings and breakwaters.

Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

39 obs

Still active but beginning to slow down as waters cool. Good season for tide pooling discoveries as summer crowds thin out.

Asterias forbesi

33 obs

Still active and visible, often moving to slightly deeper waters as temperatures begin to cool.

Henricia sanguinolenta

14 obs

Still active but beginning to move to slightly deeper waters. Late fall diving may reveal them on exposed rocky ledges.

Arbacia punctulata

6 obs

Still active but beginning to seek deeper water and more sheltered spots as storms increase.

Metridium senile

23 obs

Still active and feeding heavily before winter, though tentacles may contract more frequently as water temperatures drop and storms increase.

Diadumene lineata

15 obs

Still active but may be less extended as water temperatures drop. Stripes remain visible even when contracted.

Urticina crassicornis

8 obs

Still active but may be less expanded during the cooler months. Colors remain vibrant and they continue feeding actively before winter.

Astrangia poculata

7 obs

Still active but beginning to slow down as temperatures drop. Colonies remain clearly visible and identifiable on hard surfaces.

Cyanea versicolor

7 obs

Continue to be present in early fall, though numbers typically start declining as water temperatures drop toward winter.

Aurelia

4 obs