Nature's Almanac: September

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.

September Highlights:

• Blue Jays call constantly. Young jays migrate south in large numbers

• Canada Geese are a common sight flying back and forth from corn fields

• Spider webs are widespread. Baby spiders "balloon" to new locals on filaments of silk born by the wind

• Asters and goldenrods turn fields a hot of yellow, purple and white
  
  

Early September:

• Songbird migration is at its peak

• Monarch butterflies are migrating south to Mexico's sierra Madre mountains

• Clouds of flying ants are often seen in mating flights

• Gentians, lobelia, White Snakeroot and ladies'-tresses orchids are in flower

Mid-month:

• Migrating white-throated Sparrows start arriving and come to feeders

• Virginia Creeper and Red Maple attain their most vivid reds and burgundies

• The first frost usually occurs
  
  

Late Month:

• The first flocks of northern Canada Geese go over

• For moose, the "rut" begins

• Most groundhogs begin their hibernation

• Dusk is now two hours earlier than it was in the end of June
  

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