Dear Katie,

Fall is here! Among the falling leaves and dropping temperatures there are signs of wildlife all around us. Below are a just few of the things our nature watchers have noticed this past month. Want to see the rest? Click here to join the Facebook Group.

What are you seeing out there? We'd love to hear from you! Click here for more information about Harpswell Nature Watchers.

This little spring peeper just hopped across my foot!

(Submitted by Jess Marie. September 24, 2024)

I've been seeing epifagus (beechdrops), a parasitic plant, in local woods. In one case I saw it with ghost pipe, a very interesting plant! Epifagus means 'upon beech' according to the website (below), and 'the lower, smaller flowers do not open. Special short roots called grappers form, and structures called haustoria develop from the roots. These haustoria “suck” nutrients from the roots of the host plant.'

To read more about epifagus, click here.

(Submitted by Gina Snyder. September 24, 2024)

Can someone help identify this bird? We've never seen this beauty. It has a black marking on its chest that I was unable to get a picture of. Thank you!

Thanks to everyone in the comments who identified this bird as a Northern Flicker!

(Submitted by Stacy Dean Seymour. September 15, 2024)

This beautiful fella will be on his or her way soon!

(Submitted by Lucy Cook. September 3, 2024)

A salt marsh caterpillar at Stover's Point Preserve today.

(Submitted by Amanda Brillant. September 2, 2024)