Autumn Phenology Notes

Phenology is the study of the times when natural phenomena occur and observation of seasonal changes. Phenology is nature's calendar: when flowers bloom, leaves break bud, when birds begin migrating, when leaves change color and begin to fall. We study phenology to better understand the abundance and distribution of different species, food web interactions, global water cycles, and more. Farmers and gardeners use phenology to develop a planting schedule and decide when to apply fertilizers and pesticides. Researchers are using changes in phenology as an indicator of the vulnerability of species and communities to changes in climate.

We invite you to use this collection of notes to deepen your connection to the woods and wildlife around you. These notes can help you pay attention to the natural cycles and processes that happen throughout the year. Make your own notes and compare them from year-to-year. This autumn edition of phenology notes is the third of four quarterly articles that will be released with each changing season.

October Phenology Notes

Birds

Dark-eyed juncos and white-throated sparrows begin to return for the winter. Year-round residents, brown creepers may be more noticeable after leaf-drop, as they hop up and down tree trunks in search of insects. Hawk migration continues, with large numbers of sharp-shinned hawks and red-tailed hawks moving further south. Yellow-rumped warblers linger, but within a few weeks will move on to their winter habitat along the southern Atlantic coast.

Mammals

Porcupines continue searching for mates throughout the month. Courtship involves nose-rubbing, teeth-chattering, and the male walking upright on its hind feet. White-tailed deer enter their mating season, also known as "rut" season. Bucks fight each other to establish claim to a territory.

Plants

Seedpods and berries remain on some plants, including poison ivy, providing an important food source in the coming months. In early October the oaks show their brilliant deep scarlet and russet orange colors. Sassafras and maples still display a range of yellows and oranges. By mid-October, depending on weather, the fall colors have reached their peak and many trees have dropped their leaves.

Insects

Woolly bears, the caterpillars of the Isabella tiger moth, are seen more frequently—often crossing roadways in search of sheltered spots to build cocoons to overwinter. Some species of damselflies and dragonflies are still seen zooming around before migrating south. In early September the painted lady butterfly can still be seen feeding on remaining ironweed, thistle, and other tall composite flowers before migrating south to Mexico.

Fungi

A variety of Lactarius and Russula mushrooms appear after a rain. Other colorful fungi fruiting now are parasol mushrooms (Lepiota), blewits, and shaggy manes.

Reptiles & Amphibians

Eastern box turtles are heading underground to hibernate, digging a burrow about 5½ inches below the surface. Here, they can withstand freezing temperatures for many months.

General

The first frost usually occurs in the third week of October. The Orionid meteor shower, which is the "dust" of Halley's comet, peaks around that time as well.

November Phenology Notes

Birds

Early November is typically peak migration time for golden eagles. Another raptor, the snowy owl, also migrates in large numbers to Pennsylvania and Ohio during some years. A cold front may bring with it tundra swans, migrating from the Arctic to the Chesapeake Bay. Their call sounds similar to the bay of a hound. Many other waterfowl are moving through, including loons, ring-necked ducks, and wood ducks. Fox sparrows return in the coming weeks.

Mammals

Black bears are beginning to settle in for hibernation, though warmer weather in the next couple of months often leads to some stragglers roaming about in search of food. Woodland and jumping mice are settling in to nests for their winter hibernation.

Plants

Witch hazel shrubs show their spindly yellow blooms. Berries, crabapples, and other soft mast remain hanging in trees and shrubs, offering winter food to cedar waxwings, robins, starlings, and sparrows. Hercules’ club berries are a favorite, sometimes leaving birds intoxicated when the fruit ferments. The seeds from hophornbeam and American hornbeam begin to drop from their branches to the forest floor, benefiting ground-feeding wildlife.

Insects

Bare trees reveal the large, almost-round nests of the bald-faced hornet. Although it has a fierce sting, the wasp is considered beneficial since it preys on other insects. They abandon the nest with the first hard frost. Only the colony's queen survives the winter, resting dormant in a sheltered location.

Fungi

Many types of jelly fungi and polypores spot the woods, including the resinous polypore. Many shelf fungi that were previously hidden by leaves are now visible. In addition, the net-like mycelium that produces the fruiting body of a fungus are noticeable under leaf litter or on dying or decaying trees.

Reptiles & Amphibians

Eastern garter snakes are still active during warm weather. Throughout the winter, on warm days, they may be seen out and about in search of water and food.

General

The Leonid meteor shower peaks around mid-month. The shower is named for the constellation of Leo, from which the shower radiates and where most of the meteors will be seen.

December Phenology Notes

Birds

As mating begins, the calls of great horned owls become more frequent. Males hoot back and forth territorially. Pairs of great horned owls begin breeding as early as mid-December. Northern songbirds like pine siskins, red-breasted nuthatches, common redpolls, and white-winged and red crossbills may come south if the pine crop is small in their usual Canadian habitat. Pine siskins, nuthatches, and redpolls are visitors to bird feeders in those years.

Mammals

Most white-tailed deer have bred. Younger does usually breed after the older does. It is common for does in poor-quality habitat and younger does or those in poor health to produce more male offspring (and fewer young overall).

Plants

On the forest floor, the flower stalks of some plants may be seen sticking up through the snow. Dig into the snow below these stalks to look for the leaves of native evergreen plants like the rattlesnake plantain, pipsissewa, or pyrola.

Insects

Depending on the particular species, bark beetles can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or as adults. Look for egg tunnels on downed logs underneath loose bark, or where the bark has dropped. The pattern of the egg tunnels helps to identify the species of beetle.

Fungi

The "artist's conk" (Ganoderma applanatum) is a common winter mushroom growing in shelf form, sticking straight out of tree trunks and logs. The underside of this woody-textured mushroom is often used as a surface for etching. The number of layers on the inside of this variety of polypore, similar to tree rings, reveals the age of the mushroom.

Reptiles & Amphibians

Salamanders can still be observed on warm days, often along a stream or in an old spring house. Northern spring salamanders, northern dusky salamanders, eastern red-backed salamanders, and seal salamanders are among the species that might be encountered. Cold-tolerant reptiles like the northern brownsnake, timber rattlesnake, wood turtle, and red-eared slider turtle also become active on warm winter days.

General

The Geminid meteor shower peaks in mid-December. Most of these meteors originate in the constellation of Gemini, which can be located with the help of Castor and Pollux—two especially bright stars found within the constellation.

Woodland Nature Journal

If you are interested in keeping your own set of phenology notes, these are adapted from A Woodland Nature Journal: Tracking Changes Through the Seasons, which can be purchased for just $10 to cover shipping and handling.

Each Journal features:

• A water-resistant full-color cover featuring renowned photographer Bill Coleman's four-print collection entitled Seasons
• 218 pages printed on thick cream-colored paper with sturdy wire binding
• Dozens of sketches by artist and forester John Sidelinger throughout
• Plenty of space for you to write, sketch, and collect--to record experiences, observations, and inspirations season after season
• Observation tips provide plenty of resources to help identify plants and animals
• Activities outline ways for you to participate as a "citizen scientist," such as counting and tracking birds, recording plant activity, and monitoring monarchs, to name a few

To order your Journal, call 814-863-0401 or toll-free 800-235-9473, or send a check made out to Penn State University to: Center for Private Forests, 416 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address (please print clearly). Cost is $10 each