June
June 13: A PAPER WASP nest encircles the trunk of a VIBURNUM tree in N. Acton, but falls down to the ground by the end of the day.
June 15: BLACK ELDERBERRY blooms erupt along Fort Pond River by W. Acton Boardwalk.
June 20: BARN SWALLOWS build five nests in the rafters of the W. Acton Boardwalk roof, two of them hosting second broods of the year.
June 22: A GREAT BLUE HERON flies along the W. Acton Boardwalk walkway over several days [hunting for BARN SWALLOW chicks?]. After the visits, pedestrians find the remains of two ravaged nests scattered on the floor.
June 23: A ST. JOHNSWORT plant in W. Acton grows to waist height and opens abundant deep yellow blossoms to offer nectar, and a continuous stream of pollinators accepts the bounty.
June 27: A RED-WINGED LONGHORN beetle grazes on a DAISY petal in a W. Acton garden.
June 29: A CLUBBED MYDAS FLY visits a NIGHTSHADE leaf in W. Acton. The next day, a mated pair flies together around the same area.
July
July 1: WATER HEMLOCKS (also known as suicide roots) bloom along Fort Pond Brook in W. Acton.
July 2: Numerous insects visit MILKWEEDS in W. Acton: a CAPE BRETON FIREFLY (June 19), BANDED LONGHORN BEETLES (July 2), a BOX ELDER BEETLE (July 3), a RED MILKWEED BEETLE (July 6), and a RETICULATED NET-WINGED BEETLE (July 11).
July 5: A SCARLET TANAGER and a CATBIRD bathe before Rebecca Harvey’s trail video camera in N. Acton.
July 6: MEADOW RUE, WHITE SWEET CLOVER, PURPLE VETCH, and other native plants bloom profusely in the swales adjoining the Boardwalk School, to the delight of thousands of bees.
July 8: A CORN SNAKE finds its way into a W. Acton house, leading residents on an extended chase to evict it.
July 13: A SOURWOOD TREE blooms on Spruce Street, to the delight of hundreds of bees and flies.
THANKS to Acton Nature Watchers Frann Addison, Ellen Flannery, Jesse Liberty, and Irene Walborsky! Please send us your observations and photos! 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. Learn how to control rodent pests safely without resorting to rodenticides which kill precious wildlife.
WATCH FOR migrating shorebirds, fireflies, young mammals out on their own, and maybe migrating monarch butterflies. Watch the milkweeds for eggs! Last but not least, remember to look up at the sky the nights of August 12 and 13 for the Perseids meteor shower. The New Sturgeon Moon will allow for ideal dark sky conditions, provided there is no cloud cover. This will likely be the best opportunity to see meteorites this year!
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.
