Fall migration starts this month with shorebirds returning later in month.
NABA National Butterfly count.
Regal Fritillary
Peak of River Bluet (dragonfly) flights
River Bluet Dragonfly & Damselfly
First brood of immature hummingbirds begin to show up at nectar feeders early in the month.
Immature Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Thistle plants begin to seed; goldfinches gather thistledown for nesting material and begin nesting.
American Goldfinch gathering nesting material from thistle.
Many species (robins, cardinals, bluebirds, etc.) may be in their second nesting.
Nesting Robin
Cardinals tending to their nest
Nesting Bluebird
Mallards and Wood Ducks molt into "eclipse" plumage and are unable to fly for several weeks.
Molting Mallard Duck (Moulting is to shed old feathers, hair, or skin, or an old shell, to make way for a new growth.)
Male Wood Duck with eclipse plumage ( Eclipse plumage, typical of ducks but found in other birds as well, is dull, female-like plumage worn by the male for a month or more in summer after breeding. It “eclipses” his usual bright plumage. Ducks are unable to fly during this period.)
Katydids and Cicadas are in full chorus by late-month.
Missouri Katydid
Cicada
Listen for the feeding screeches of young Barred and Great Horned Owls.
Immature Barred Owl
Immature Great Horned Owl
Look for hummingbirds feeding on Trumpet Creeper and Jewelweed flowers.
