Autumn Natural Events
We hope this calendar encourages you to come up often and explore the trails! Dates are approximate; a hurricane or early frost may shift the schedule! Collecting animals (including insects) and picking/digging out plants are not permitted.
Autumn Natural Events
Last Three Weeks of September
Watch for Broad-winged Hawks in open swirling groups called “kettles” anywhere there’s an open view of the sky. Look up often, especially when winds are from the NW! Several nearby hawk watches are often staffed with volunteer counters. The closest is Stateline Lookout right off the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Alpine.
Read More... First Two Weeks of October
Journey to Stateline Lookout and see several migrating and resident birds of Prey throughout the day. Hawks such as Red Tailed, Red Shoulder, Sharp shinned, Coopers, and Broad wings can be seen as well as Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, Peregrine Falcons, Osprey, and Juvenile Bald Eagles.
Read More... Last Two Weeks of October
Listen for the “ chimp - chimp ” call of Winter Wrens as they scurry mouse-like along the boardwalk or low bushes by the trailside's. This is a good time to look for migrant Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Brown Creepers.
Squirrels and chipmunks will be caching seeds for winter. Watch a Gray Squirrel bury an acornundefinedthen try to find it after s/he’s done. You’ll gain an appreciation of their skill for hiding (and re-locating) their treasure.
Squirrels and chipmunks will be caching seeds for winter. Watch a Gray Squirrel bury an acornundefinedthen try to find it after s/he’s done. You’ll gain an appreciation of their skill for hiding (and re-locating) their treasure.
First Two Weeks of November
The inconspicuous, stringy yellow blossoms of Witch-Hazel may appear in October, but they are usually seen after the leaves fall, from now through early December.
From now through December, listen from dusk through dawn for Great Horned Owls, as they stake out their territories. This is the best time to see a Golden Eagle at major hawk watches (very rare on the Palisades).
Be alert for irregular bird species such as Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Evening Grosbeak. Check out the TNC feeders, birch trees, and forest edges.
From now through December, listen from dusk through dawn for Great Horned Owls, as they stake out their territories. This is the best time to see a Golden Eagle at major hawk watches (very rare on the Palisades).
Be alert for irregular bird species such as Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, and Evening Grosbeak. Check out the TNC feeders, birch trees, and forest edges.
Last Two Weeks of November
Water birds stay locally as long as the pond is ice-free. The “dusk duck show” can last through the third week of November and beyond.
First Two Weeks of December
Bird diversity is low now, but occasionally Mallard ducks can be spotted roosting on Pfister’s Pond even during the Christmas Bird Count. Look for tracks in the snow.