Nature Almanac for September 2019

Sunset at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. USFWS/public domain.

September 2019. Autumn reaches its’ peak with the Autumnal Equinox on the 23^rd. After the 23^rd, we begin the downhill slide into winter.

Autumn is 90 days long.
September is the peak of southward migration of land birds

September 2019

5^th – First Quarter – waxing toward full

14^th – Full Harvest Moon, Full Corn Moon (Indian Moon Names)

21^st – Last Quarter – waning toward new

21^st – International Day of Peace

23th – Autumnal Equinox

23th – Harvest Home Celebrations

28^th – New Moon

In the Night Sky

New Moon always rises near sunrise
First Quarter rises near noon
Full Moon always rises near sunset
Last Quarter rises near midnight
Moonrise occurs about 50 minutes later each day.

At this time of year, the Earth is facing out into space. This gives us a good chance to see The Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest galaxy neighbor.

In the autumn northern hemisphere: Cassiopeia, Pegasus, Corona Borealis, Hercules. Lyra, Lacerta, Andromeda, and Cygnus grace the night sky.

It’s spring in the southern hemisphere Pisces, Aquarius, Equuleus, Capricornus, Sagittarius, Ophluchus, Scutum. The Midnight Sun can be seen 24 hours a day at the south pole. The Sun never sets September 23rd to March 20^th.

Northern Harrier ( ) Photo taken by Donna L. Long — Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) Photo taken by Donna L. Long

Birds in September

Now is the peak of southward migration of land birds
Hummingbirds are migrating
Insect-eating warblers migrate during September
Backyard birds are quiet.
Majority of summer resident birds begin their southbound migration.
Herons and egrets move north into Pennsylvania to forage along rivers and ponds. The waterways are typically at their lowest points now.

Animals in September

Woodchucks hibernate now
Many animals are going into hibernation or torpor
Insects are entering their winter state of suspended animation
Dragonflies are migrating
The best fishing on days 1^st through 14^th, 28^th, 30th

In the Garden

Clean out fallen leaves and either add them to the compost pile or pile them up under trees, shrubs, and on garden beds. The leaves will break down over the winter.
As the days grow cooler, it is a good time to do the heavy garden maintenance like building raised beds and repairing and installing fencing.