May
May 16: AMERICAN ROBINS build a nest (before May 3), lay eggs (May 3), chicks hatch (May 13), grow, and fledge (May 28), on an Indian Village porch.
May 17: Two BEAVERS try to cross Mass. Ave. by the culvert near the Acton Water District Facility, but are killed by passing cars. Their remains are respectfully recovered and are laid to rest elsewhere within a few hours…PAINTED TURTLES are also struck by cars near Flamingo Market, by the Fort Pond Brook bridge, and at the Arlington and Elm Street intersection.
May 18: Pink HORSE CHESTNUT blossoms festoon a young tree on Main Street in Acton Center across from Town Hall. A large sister tree showers the entrance to Acton Memorial Library with white petals.
May 19: A WOOD THRUSH sings on the banks of Guggins Brook near Half Moon Hill. Others claim their territory on Hayward Road near the High School and in Great Hill Conservation Area near the large field.
May 21: A well-camouflaged AMERICAN TOAD patrols an Indian Village garden…An ICHNEUMON WASP alights on a JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE plant in W. Acton.
May 22: TULIP TREES bloom on a Spruce Street sidewalk…A startled yearling COTTONTAIL RABBIT runs across a grassy lawn to shelter under a large RHODODENDRON bush.
May 25: A TREE FROG sings high in a SUGAR MAPLE tree in a W. Acton yard after a cool spring rain.
May 26: HAWKWEED flowers blossom beside a Hayward Road stone wall.
May 27: Red and yellow WILD COLUMBINE flowers bloom in a Mohawk Drive garden and under the YEW shrubs along Spruce Street in front of Legend Cafe.
May 30: A RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD draws nectar from several WILD COLUMBINE flowers in a Spruce Street back yard… Catkins from WHITE OAKS, HICKORY, BLACK WALNUT and other trees festoon sidewalks and lower branches along Central Street… WHITE PINE pollen erupts from bases of needle clusters after a gusty spring storm… Puddles on Mass. Ave. sidewalks evaporate to reveal yellow high-water rings of pollen.
June
June 1: A GREAT HORNED OWL calls into the quiet early morning hours over W. Acton Village near Arlington Street…CRICKETS chirp on Prospect Street and Central Street.
June 2: A COMMON WHITETAIL dragonfly flies over Fort Pond Brook Boardwalk; BLUE DARNERS also fly nearby.
June 3: ORIENTAL BITTERSWEET vine sends new green shoots over Arlington Street sidewalk; following spring rain, new branches grow up to one foot per day.
June 4: A WOOD DUCK mother and five ducklings dabble in the Acton Arboretum, leaving channels in the thick DUCK WEED that covers the pond.
June 5: A SNAPPING TURTLE digs her nest and lays eggs on a grassy lawn at the corner of Flint and Mallard Roads…MULTIFLORA ROSES blossom prolifically, fragrantly, and invasively in the woods on Hayward Road across from Haartz Corporation.
June 6: CARPET BEETLES graze on DAISY flower petals in peak bloom in a W. Acton garden.
June 7: Many insect adults appear in W. Acton as vegetation reaches peak summer foliage: a GREEN CAPSID bug, a SNIPE fly, a NAIO thrip, a WOOD WASP, LEAF HOPPERS, and a TANYTARSIN midge.
June 8: First MOSQUITOES emerge in a Spruce Street back yard.
June 9: A digging predator (skunk? fox? raccoon?) breaks open the turtle nest at Flint and Mallard and consumes at least a dozen eggs.
June 12: A giant LUNA MOTH spreads its lime green wings on a tennis court at ABRHS…FALSE INDIGO BUSHES host happy bees on their spectacular purple and orange panicles on the steep banks by Fort Pond Brook at 53 River St.
THANKS to Acton Nature Watchers Frann Addison, Debby Andell, Tom Beals, Jon Chase, Peter Mosbach, Peter Norton, and Franny Osman!Please send us your observations and photos at actonnaturewatch@gmail.com. Fishing enthusiasts, please tell us what you are catching, too! We have heard that the River Street dam removal last year has broadened the range of several fish varieties in the upstream range of Fort Pond Brook, but we need more evidence. We are always curious about any wild animals, plants, and fungi within our borders.
JOIN the Green Acton Biodiversity Committee at our next meeting July 16. Learn how to control rodent pests safely without resorting to rodenticides which kill precious rodent-controlling wildlife.
WATCH FOR more fledging birds early in the upcoming Strawberry Moon next month; also fireflies, young mammals out on their own, and maybe migrating monarch butterflies. Watch the milkweeds for eggs!
Submit your observations and photos to actonnaturewatch@gmail.com.
Rob Gogan is a West Acton resident and compiles the Acton Nature Watch feature. He is one of the organizers of Green Acton’s Biodiversity Committee.
