What's Happening In Nature

September’s Subtle Shifts in Nature

September in southeastern Connecticut is nature’s quiet turning point. Summer hasn’t quite said goodbye, but fall is definitely tapping on the door. The days grow shorter, the sun sets with a deeper golden glow, and morning air arrives with a little nip. If August was a high-energy dance, September feels more like a graceful waltz — everything is moving, just more gently.

One of the most exciting natural phenomena this month is migration. Look up and you might spot broad-winged hawks circling in large groups called “kettles,” riding thermals as they head south. It’s a great time to simply bring a pair of binoculars to a high vantage point.

Closer to home, our ruby-throated hummingbirds are also on the move. Many are fueling up at feeders and late-blooming flowers before making their long journey to Central America. Keep those feeders clean and full to give them an energy boost before they go. You may even help a tired traveler along the way.

Warblers are passing through in their more subdued fall plumage, requiring a careful eye and a good field guide to identify. And at the feeders, chickadees, nuthatches, and titmice are caching seeds, tucking them into bark and crevices to prepare for leaner times.

Meanwhile, goldfinches are wrapping up nesting season — they’re among the latest to nest, timing it with the seeding of plants like thistles and sunflowers. You may notice their juveniles following adults, fluttering wings and begging for one more snack.

In gardens and along roadsides, goldenrod and asters steal the show, attracting late-season pollinators like bumblebees and monarch butterflies. Speaking of monarchs, they’re also on the move, fluttering their way toward Mexico on one of nature’s most awe-inspiring migrations.

Squirrels are bustling with purpose, acorns are falling, and the first hints of color begin to paint the tips of maple leaves.

Even the trees are getting ready. The first tips of red and orange start creeping into the green canopy, reminding us that October isn’t far behind.

September is a season of quiet action — a time to prepare, move, and savor the lingering warmth. Take a walk, watch the feeders, and let nature’s gentle transition remind you that beauty is found in both the bold and the subtle.