October Nature Happenings
- Blue Jays bury acorns and other nuts to be eaten later, a behavior known as "caching". They have an excellent memory and know where most acorns are buried. As a result of uneaten, cached acorns, this species is responsible for "planting" some oak trees.
Blue Jay with Acorn Source: Luke Ormand (c) 2015
- This is the month to install and repair nest boxes for use next year.
- Pine Siskin return early this month and in late September.
Pine Siskin Source: Douglas Faulder
- Autumn colors peak in the third week of October.
- Sandhill Cranes migrate through the area in flocks that can number in the tens of thousands.
Sandhill Crane Range Map Source: Cornell University
Flock of Sandhill Cranes during migration Source: Ben West
- Geese, ducks, cranes, etc. usually fly in a "V" formation. Supposedly, all but the lead bird gain lift from wing-tipped vortices produced by the lead bird. (Read more about this here or here!)
- Most Wood Ducks migrate south this month.
Male Wood Duck in flight Source: Matt Davis
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continue their migration. By October all of our summer resident Hummers have moved on, but we will continue to see migrants from further north sporadically throughout the month and into November. The latest stragglers may be seen as late as Thanksgiving, so keep one small feeder out for them if possible! (Check out this hummingbird fall migration map to see how late in the year hummingbirds have been sighted in your area!)
- White-tailed Deer bucks go into rut.
- Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows become common at feeders as they return to the area for the winter.
Dark-eyed Juncos at a feeder Source: Andree Dubreuil
White-throated Sparrow Source: Keenan Yakola
- Orionids meteor shower is late-October.