What's Happening In Nature

A Season of Gratitude!

When we think of November we think of Thanksgiving. While I’m thankful for the love and support of my family and friends, I am also thankful for our birds. Being able to retreat to the comfort and serenity of our backyard to watch our backyard birds brings such a feeling of well-being. Do you ever feel like your birds are your own personal support group? Their behavior and beauty brings us joy. They provide a much-needed respite from daily monotony and a distraction from disturbing events. And they create moments of true excitement as the shifting seasons bring an everchanging cast of characters to our feeders.

By now, many of our summer visitors - warblers, orioles, hummingbirds - are far to the south. But November belongs to the hardy residents and winter arrivals. Chickadees, nuthatches, and downy woodpeckers brighten backyards with their cheerful energy, while dark-eyed juncos and white-throated sparrows have returned from their northern breeding grounds to spend the colder months with us. If you’re lucky, you may catch sight of a red-breasted nuthatch or purple finch at your feeders, both irregular but welcome visitors.

The salt marshes and coastal waters also come alive this time of year. Flocks of waterfowl, including buffleheads, goldeneyes, and scaup, gather in Long Island Sound after journeys from their northern nesting grounds. Overhead, skeins of Canada geese pass by, their calls echoing like a seasonal soundtrack. Inland, wild turkeys scratch through leaves, reminding us of their remarkable comeback in Connecticut and their fitting role in this season of harvest.

November ushers in a quieter rhythm to the natural world. The brilliant foliage of October has faded, leaving bare branches etched against crisp skies. Yet, this subtle landscape has its own beauty, inviting us to notice the smaller details and give thanks for nature’s quiet gifts.

While many plants have gone dormant, late autumn offers subtle delights. Oaks often cling to their russet leaves, adding splashes of color to the browns and grays of the landscape. On quiet walks, you may notice seedpods, acorns, and berries—important winter food sources for wildlife. Watch for cedar waxwings feasting on crabapples or robins and bluebirds gathering around berry-laden hollies.

November is also a month for reflection. Shorter days and longer nights invite us to slow down, much like the natural world around us. As we gather for Thanksgiving, it’s a good moment to appreciate the birds that brighten our feeders, the squirrels that make us laugh with their antics, and the steady cycle of nature that carries us from one season to the next.

So, bundle up, take a walk, and let November remind you that even in the quiet, there is abundance to be thankful for.