Outdoor Almanac

September in Massachusetts brings crisp air, migrating wildlife, and the first signs of fall. This month, dragonflies and damselflies dart across wetlands, mushrooms spring up after cool rains, and raptors ride thermals on their journey south. Keep an eye out for late-season butterflies, jewelweed bursting with seeds, and loons gathering in rafts before heading to warmer waters. From snakes hatching to squirrels and blue jays stockpiling food, nature is in full transition—don’t miss your chance to witness it all.

What will you discover this September? Visit a nearby wildlife sanctuary or join us for a program to make the most of your month. 

SEPTEMBER

1

Dragonflies and damselflies can be found hunting over fields and wetlands. Dragonflies are stout-bodied and sit with their wings out to their sides. Damselflies have long, slender abdomens, eyes on the sides of their heads, and usually sit with their wings together over their backs. 

4

Look for male Ospreys tending to their young. Females migrated last month; peak migration for males and young is later this month. 

7

Full moon 

9

Mushrooms seem to pop up overnight with the first cooler rains—puffballs, stinkhorns, hen of the woods, and more appear throughout the fall. Stinkhorns usually live up to their name, with a slimy, elongated body and vile smell. 

11

Raptors, including Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks, are beginning their migration south. They take advantage of thermal soaring, where they effortlessly glide between bubbles of warm, rising air. 

13

Although rarely seen because of their nocturnal behavior, Ring-necked Snakes are common throughout New England. Snake eggs are hatching, giving the young snakes a few weeks before the temperature drops, and hibernation begins. 

15

Not all migrating orange butterflies are Monarchs; Painted and American Ladies also migrate this time of year. Monarch wings are orange on both the dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower) surfaces. The dorsal surface of American and Painted Lady wings is orange, but the ventral surface is spotted gray-brown.  

17

Yellowjackets often build their nests in vacant rodent tunnels beneath the ground. However, these hidden nests are no match for the skunks, raccoons, and black bears that dig into the ground for a nutritious yellowjacket snack. 

18

While adult hooded owlet moths are easily overlooked, their caterpillars are variable. Look for Brown-hooded Owlet caterpillars that are black with red and yellow stripes. Golden-hooded Owlet caterpillars have a bright yellow stripe down their backs with sides that are usually green but can be purple. Both species feed on asters or goldenrods. 

20

Before migrating, Common Loons feed in groups, also known as rafts. Experts believe rafting helps the loons feed more efficiently by spending less time defending territories and more time eating.  

22

Today is the Fall Equinox, or the first day of fall. Day and night are both 12 hours long. 

25

Look for Jewelweed, also known as spotted touch-me-not, on wet roadsides and other damp, shady areas. If you gently touch their seed pod, the tightly wound seeds will suddenly burst, dispersing the seeds widely. They stick around providing nectar for remaining pollinators until temperatures begin to drop below 40 degrees. 

24

Woodchucks are eating as much as they can to add 30 to 40 percent to their body weight before hibernation. If they can’t accumulate enough fat reserves, they will not survive the winter. 

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Although squirrels are well known for gathering acorns, Blue Jays are exceptional seed and nut collectors. Throughout the fall, a Blue Jay can cache up to 5,000 acorns, up to a mile away from the tree. 

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Last day to enter the Mass Audubon Photo Contest. If you have taken photos of any of the wonderful things listed in the almanac, enter them at massaudubon.org/picturethis.