Nature of New England

Seasons of Nature in New England
- Late Autumn -

• Photos of fall foliage in New England
• In New England, the breeding season for the white-tailed deer begins during late October, but most does won't breed until November. The peak time usually occurs around the middle of the month.
• The leaves of most deciduous trees have usually fallen by the end of October. The oak leaves and beech leaves hang on a little longer. Some young beech trees will keep their leaves through the winter.
• The white pine tree drops its old needles during this time, also. Over the course of a year, the white pine will lose and replace about a third of its needles. The greatest portion are lost in the fall.
• The last of the songbirds migrate southward during this period. The late migrants include the hermit thrush and the fox sparrow.
• The hawks continue to migrate south, though in lesser numbers than in early autumn. See the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website for more information.
• Red squirrels and chipmunks can be heard scurrying around in the leaves, searching for nuts and seeds to store for the winter.
• In November, the ermine (short-tailed weasel) molts into its white winter coat.

Note:  The "late autumn" period is the time from approximately mid-October through November. Timing of events will vary depending upon your latitude and elevation.

Seasons of Nature in New England Archives