Nature Happenings

• NABA National Butterfly Count 
• Katydids and cicadas are in full chorus by mid-July.
• Watch local ponds for immature herons and bitterns.
• First brood of immature hummingbirds begin to show up at nectar feeders early in the month.
• Thistle plants begin to seed; goldfinches gather thistledown for nesting material.
• Blackbirds begin to flock and appear at feeders.
• Listen for the feeding screeches of young Barred and Great Horned Owls.
• Shorebird migration starts.
• Butterfly milkweed in bloom. Look for Monarch Butterfly adults, eggs and larva.
• Look for hummingbirds feeding on Trumpet Creeper, Jewelweed and Cardinal flowers.
• Delta Aquarids Meteor shower peaks in late-July.
• Yellow Warblers begin to migrate south toward the end of the month, flying at night in mixed flocks, resting and feeding during the day. Most will be gone by August.
• Fawns begin traveling with adult females.
• Raccoons, skunks and opossums are digging up and eating turtle eggs.
• Juvenile opossums, "Joeys," can be seen hitching a ride on mom's back.
• Blueberries ripen in early July.
• Except for goldfinches and late bluebirds, bird breeding and nesting season ends this month.