As you explore the Fells, you’re most likely seeing (or smelling!) our native Sweet Pepperbush. You’ll typically see these lining wetlands or damp areas, as they enjoy wet feet and neutral to acidic soil. Bumblebees love these late-summer flowering shrubs and their sweet scent. Be sure to check out Greenwood Park or Long Pond to see some of these patches for yourself.
In similarly damp areas, you’ll also see Jewelweed or “touch-me-nots,” a slightly translucent stemmed green plant with bright orange or yellow flowers with fruit that will “pop” if you poke them. It has been found to be one of the few plants that can successfully compete with the invasive Garlic Mustard. Jewelweed’s sap can also relieve the itching and painful symptoms of poison ivy, hives, and stinging nettle.
That tall, gangly, pink flowered plant you’ve seen in meadows and at the Botume House Visitor Center pollinator garden is Joe Pye Weed. Next, you can expect to see our yellow goldenrods begin to bloom in open fields and meadows, and our white wood asters will dot the forest floor (check out the Botume House Visitor Center’s Spot Pond).
Our birds continue to be active each day, whether on land, air, or water. You may see the Great Blue Herons on the Great Island in Spot Pond, or even flying above Bellevue Pond. The classic screeching “meow” call of the Grey Catbird is prominent alongside the Blue Jay jeer. Mallards and Canada Geese dot the various reservoirs in the Fells, and you may event be able to spot a Barred Owl or hear it’s melodic “who cooks for you” call.
As we approach late summer, we encourage you to get outdoors to appreciate the natural beauty of the Middlesex Fells and all who call our beloved park home. 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!
Resources:
- Sweet Pepperbush Photo: @Dendroica cerulea on Flickr
- Jewelweed Photo: 2006 Derek Ramsey
- Jewelweed Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/impatiens_capensis.shtml
- Joe Pye Weed Photo: 2008 D. Gordon E. Robertson
- Gray Catbird Photo: Andrew Cannizzaro