Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)

July 31, 2020 Elise

I think my most common summer phrase is “berry season is the best season”. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying wild-picked blueberries, huckleberries, red and black raspberries, and wineberries, as well as the blackberries that are just now starting to ripen (I picked my first ripe one this morning). Now that my eyes have a “berry” search image, there’s one shrub I’m noticing everywhere: glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus), which grows as a deciduous shrub or a small tree up to 20 feet…

Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)

July 7, 2020 Elise

I often hear common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) before I see them. Common along wetlands, streams and bogs, common yellowthroats are fairly secretive, preferring to stay relatively hidden in dense bushes and thickets. Despite his bright yellow chest and bold face, even the male can be hard to spot among thick foliage if he holds still, particularly since the upper parts of his body are a drab olive-yellow. But his voice will certainly catch your attention: wichety-wichety-wichety. Click here to check…

Seashore to Forest Floor

A naturalist's journey across Cape Cod and beyond

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Month: July 2020