Wild wonders on your calendar

Black-eyed Susans peak in late July. Photo by Rich Haag

NC Wildlife Federation posts and newsletter can help you track nature’s cycles day by day

Some amazing natural events take place just about daily in streams, fields and woods near our homes. The NC Wildlife Federation produces a great calendar to keep us aware.

For instance, I have camped in Smoky Mountains National Park many Julys and never knew, until now, that within walking distance of my camper, black bear males were on the prowl for black bear females. And I thought they only wanted my food!

If you find this sort of thing interesting, too, you can get daily or monthly calendars from the NC Wildlife Federation. 

Visit NCWF.org to sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Visit the group's Facebook page to get daily alerts.

Here is July's calendar to get you started. Enjoy, and watch out for mating bears! 

– Rich Haag 

• July 1: Black skimmers are nesting on our more remote beaches and barrier islands.
• July 4: Blackberries are ripe.
• July 5: Bobwhite eggs are hatching.
• July 7: Summer runs of white perch make for good fishing on the Chowan River.
• July 8: Bog turtles are nesting in mountain and foothill wetlands. Unlike most turtles, this rare species usually does not excavate a nest in soil, but instead conceals its small egg clutch in a moss or sedge clump.
• July 10: Squirrel treefrogs, eastern narrowmouth toads, and oak toads breed in temporary wetlands after heavy summer thunderstorms.
• July 12: American goldfinches are nesting. These familiar and colorful finches depend on mature thistles for food and nesting material, and are thus among our latest nesters, raising only one brood per year.
• July 15: Peak flight period for our largest butterfly, the giant swallowtail, in the outer Coastal Plain.
• July 16: Black bear mating peaks.
• July 20: On hot, humid afternoons, watch and listen for the impressive dives and "boom displays" of the common nighthawk.
• July 21: Black-eyed Susan, jewelweed, and Joe-pye weed are in bloom.
• July 22: Our largest beetle and heaviest insect-the eastern Hercules beetle is flying. Look for adults around lights at night.
• July 23: Indian pipe is in bloom.
• July 26: Garter snakes and ribbon snakes are giving birth.
• July 27-29: Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower. Best viewing is usually just before dawn. Open fields, beaches, or other remote areas make the best viewing spots.
• July 30: Royal walnut moths and imperial moths are flying.
• July 31: Turk's-cap, Michaux's, and Sandhills lilies are in bloom. Fence lizard eggs are hatching.