Nature's Almanac: August

The following information is a brief summary of some of the information available in a new book by Drew Monkman, Nature's Year in the Kawarthas published by Natural Heritage Inc. of Toronto ( http://www.naturalheritagebooks.com/ ) and illustrated by Kim Caldwell.

August Highlights:

• Jewelweed, Purple Loosestrife and Joe-Pye Weed brighten local wetlands

• Baby garter snakes and snapping turtles are born.

• The calls of crickets, cicadas and grasshoppers dominate the soundscape

• Monarch butterflies are usually quite common this month

Early August:

• The first fall colour starts to appear on Virginia-creeper, Red Maple and Sumac

• Queen's Anne's lace continues to dominate the roadsides

Mid-month:

• Songbird migration is in full swing by midmonth, particularly for warblers.

• Bird song has generally ceased.

• Around August 11, the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak

• Fall Webworms are active and their nests are very noticeable

• Ragweed is in flower settling off the beginning of another hayfever season

Late Month:

• Blocks of migrating Common nighthawks can be seen in late afternoon and evening.

• Kingbirds, Chimney swifts, and several species of swallow begin their trek south.

• Mushrooms are plentiful and add much-needed colour to our woodlands.

• Goldenrod borders roadsides and covers fields in a sea of yellow.

• Pegasus, the signature constellaion of fall, becomes visible.Misty dawns, especially in valleys and over lakes, signal fall's approach.
  

Nature's Year in the Kawarthas by Drew Monkman is available at many locations of Chapters, Coles and W.H. Smith stores.