Outdoor Almanac
This month, we're looking for fireflies, butterflies, and dragonflies.
This June, we're seeing an explosion of life across the state. Yellow warblers are still looking for a mate, garter snakes are sunbathing, and coyote pups are active. It's a great time to visit the beaches and coasts of Massachusetts while keeping a safe distance from critical shorebird habitats. The first day of summer will come June 21 and with it, fireflies, dragonflies, and gray tree frogs.
What will you discover this June?
Visit a nearby sanctuary, or join us for a program exploring the calling cards of June.
Read on to see what else you can expect this month, or download our printable PDFs.
JUNE
1
Birds such as Yellow Warblers are still singing at dawn for pair bonding, but note how little song there is during the day as they concentrate on feeding their young.
2
On a midday walk, you could happen upon a Garter Snake—the state reptile of Massachusetts—basking in a sunny forest clearing or grassy meadow.
3
Full moon. National Trails Day. Head outside and explore a new trail or a favorite old one.
5
Male black bears are searching for mates. Males will bite, claw, and rub against tree trunks to make their presence known to any females nearby.
8
World Ocean Day! Celebrate by enjoying some of Massachusetts’ beaches. Keep an eye out for sandy-colored Piping Plover adults and chicks running between the shoreline and their nest.
11
Coyote pups are active now. These can be mistaken for fox kits, as they both have sandy fur when young. But fox kits always have a white-tipped tail; coyote pups do not.
14
If you live near a vernal pool, multitudes of tiny wood froglets may appear in your garden or yard on their way to a wooded upland.
17
Young birds begin to leave their nests about this time. They often have some downy fuzz left and are still attended to by their parents, but they will soon be on their own.
18
Garden butterflies are about. Watch for favorites including swallowtails, Painted Ladies, fritillaries, and sulphurs. After dark, look for Luna Moths on the side of buildings where there are no lights.
21
Summer solstice. It’s the first official day of summer and the longest day of the year.
23
At nightfall, watch for flickering fireflies in fields and shrubby areas. Each species has its own pattern of flashes.
25
The birdlike trill of Gray Tree Frogs can be heard all day when it’s warm and cloudy as the frogs rest on tree bark or the sides of buildings. If you are patient and move slowly, it is possible to trace the song and find the frog.
29
Look carefully at vegetation around the edges of ponds for emerging damselflies and dragonflies, which will be soft and colorless. These new adults are very vulnerable to predators—birds and frogs— as it takes them several hours for their wings to unfold and become functional.
Programs Happening This Month
Learn more about nature this month by checking out our program catalog.