Late Summer Wonders at the Lloyd Center

As October is upon us and fall is in the air, many folks are anticipating the changing foliage that brings our attention to the forests of New England.  So with summer in the rear view mirror, what phenomena could be found at the Lloyd Center?

Unfortunately this was a drought year which impacted herbaceous vegetation across the landscape. Plants pursued by butterflies were “parched”, including the milkweed which, while starting lush, gave in to the sun and heat. The variety of butterfly species seen therefore was visibly lower than years when our butterfly garden vegetation was abuzz with activity. However, late summer butterflies were still present, with the larger species including Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtail, Spice bush and Black Swallowtail, all seen periodically. Smaller skippers were also seen nectaring, so the Lepidoptera community was still active, just taking advantage of a diminished resource.

The forests were relatively quiet with migrants having departed, although species such as Carolina Wren, Red-Eyed Vireo, or Eastern Wood Pewee, could be heard singing during any late summer woodland walk taken when the mosquitoes were tolerable.  The peewees for a time commanded the forest with their call. Although the Center’s feeder station was quieter, the feeders offered a snapshot of birds during this post- nesting period when adults and their fledges became elusive. Large numbers of grackles, with some female and fledge Red-winged Blackbirds mixed in, were common. Chipping Sparrows and American Goldfinch were also prevalent. For species common year-round, there was an uptick in White-breasted Nuthatch and Black-capped Chickadee activity, and Northern Cardinal fledges could be seen in mid-molt. Uncommon sightings included an Eastern Wood Pewee passing through for a brief look but not consuming seed, and the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds which visited the nectar feeder.

Also in the forest were frequent glimpses of the mother and fawn White-tailed deer that have been together since the fawn was born on the Center’s property in the spring. As many as six deer could be seen feeding around the property on any early morning drive into work, including the mother and fawn, which made many trips to and from the feeder station. The curious fawn would approach the building keeping drivers on alert, the pair taking advantage of some extra bird seed in the slower season. We continue to welcome deer as part of the intricate ecological web of life that the Center’s 82-acre property offers, and not consider them to be the nuisance species which they are sometimes labeled.

The waterfront is the most active location in late summer, and visits to the causeway pier on our first September Wednesday Walk offered multiple sightings. Waterbird species seen from the pier included Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egrets, Green Heron, Double-crested Cormorants, Laughing Gulls,  Belted Kingfishers, Greater Yellowlegs, and of course the Ospreys. Adults and young of Ospreys could be seen in August on one of the platforms across the Slocum River.

Next summer as August progresses and beach paraphernalia begins to be stashed away, make sure to stop by the Lloyd Center to see the late summer life that churns well away from the sand.