Maddie Morgan, Field Programs Manager
The last week of October graced us with vibrant colors, warm temperatures, and a bright sun that has highlighted the changing trees and Fells landscape.
In last fall’s edition of In the Fells, we looked at a few colors and identified which trees were which based on the colors displayed. This year, we’ll take a look at some of our shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants that cover the forest floor. If you’re seeing a vine that displays bright red – sometimes even pink – colors across its five leaflets, then you’re looking at Virginia creeper. If you’re seeing a purple or white flower this time of year, you may be looking at one of our asters. A purple flower is probably a New England aster and white is most likely a White wood aster.
Are you seeing any berries out now with the decreasing number of leaves? There could be a few options! Asiatic bittersweet is starting to show its bright red berries that have an orange or yellow casing. Or maybe it’s Japanese barberry with many bright red berries in a shrub that has long thin spikes along its stems. Maybe you’re seeing the white or light yellow berries of Poison ivy (yikes!) or a long bundle of dark purple berries from our American pokeweed. Poison ivy berries are an excellent source of nutrition for our local wildlife.
While most migrating birds are well on their way down south, the Fells is still host to a wide variety of birds, including our raptors. Keep an eye on the sky for Red-shoulder hawks, Red-tailed hawks, Ospreys, and even the occasional Bald eagle.
According to the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, deer rut season happens between November 6th and November 20th. The season is consistent each year because it is highly dependent on daylight hours. Leading into November, you may see some trees where bark has been rubbed off as the bucks mark their territories and strengthen their neck muscles. There are also areas where bucks dig away at leaf litter and leave scents below overhanging tree branches for does and other bucks to find.
We hope you enjoy the remaining fall colors and are getting excited about seeing the Fells blanketed in snow, hopefully soon! Remember to send friends@fells.org photos from your Fells adventures for a chance to be featured in future blog posts.
We look forward to seeing you out on the trails!
Photo credits & Resources:
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- Virginia creeper: Isabelle Hurbain-Palatin on Wikipedia
- Poison ivy berries: Utcatdad on Wikipedia
- Deer tree rub: Wasp32 on Wikipedia
- Deer rut facts from Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife