Nature Notes

On April 16, 2004 the Westborough News started carrying a bi-monthly column known as Nature Notes prepared by Annie Reid and Garry Kessler on behalf of the Westborough Community Land Trust. The column uses striking photography and commentary to describe the plants and animals that residents encounter while walking the trails throughout Westborough.

Anne and Garry were awarded the WCLT 2004 President's Award having contributed their many talents, most recently in nature photography and writing, to the growth and vitality of the WCLT. The couple's love of nature motivated them to explore the Westborough woods with their two daughters for the last 25 years.

For those who missed a column or wish to review the previous articles we present here the previous Nature Notes articles. If you wish to get the latest articles subscribe to the Westborough News For those who wish to read the articles from the beginning start here. Or pick the article of interest from the following indices:

Nature notes by date of publication

Nature notes by common name of flora and fauna

Nature notes by latin name of flora and fauna

Nature notes by category

Nature Notes by Category

Wildflowers

April 19, 2013	Pull out invasive garlic mustard garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
August 24, 2012	Rabbit’s foot clover is fun for kids Rabbit’s foot clover (Trifolium arvense)
August 3, 2012	Pickerel-weed grows in the shallows Pickerel-weed (Pontederia cordata)
April 13, 2012	Treasure-hunting for spring wildflowers Wild oats (Uvularia sessilifolia)
September 23, 2011	The edible groundnut Groundnut (Apios americana)
June 6, 2011	The many senses of pineapple weed Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea)
September 24, 2010	Pokeweed for the birds Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)
April 9, 2010	What’s the first wildflower of spring? Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
October 2, 2009	A curious fall plant Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana)
September 18, 2009	Blue and edible chicory on the roadside Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
August 21, 2009	A good beetle comes to town Purple loosestrife beetle (Galerucella calmariensis) Purple loosestrife beetle (Galerucella pusilla)
November 7, 2008	Feasting on poison ivy Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
September 26, 2008	Old-time bitter medicine Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
September 12, 2008	Fragrant water-lilies linger on local ponds Fragrant water-lily (Nymphaea odorata)
August 15, 2008	The minty month of August Eastern bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum) Western bluecurls (Trichostema lanceolatum) Wild mint (Mentha arvensis)
August 1, 2008	Strange plants of summer Indian-pipes (Monotropa uniflora) Pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys)
June 6, 2008	Treasure-hunting for trilliums Nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum)
May 9, 2008	Wildflower, weed, or invader? Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
April 25, 2008	Watch for wildflowers in Westborough European windflower (Anemone nemorosa) Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) Windflower (Anemone quinquefolia)
August 24, 2007	Carnivorous floating flowers Bladderworts (Utricularia) Horned bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta) Purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea) Swollen bladderwort (Utricularia inflata)
June 15, 2007	An invasive rose Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
June 1, 2007	A new invasive in town Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
May 18, 2007	Native wild violets in wet and dry places Birdfoot violet (Viola pedata) Marsh blue violet (Viola cucullata)
May 4, 2007	Our earliest wild violet Northern downy violet (Viola fimbriatula) Northern downy violet (Viola sagittata)
April 20, 2007	Marsh-marigolds in our streams and swamps Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris)
March 23, 2007	Return of the red-wings signals spring Cattail (Typha latifolia) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
December 13, 2006	Alien Invader Targets Our Hemlocks Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota)
September 22, 2006	Evening blossoms in the day Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)
September 8, 2006	Turtlehead and butterflies Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) Pink turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
August 11, 2006	A most unusual moth in town Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
July 14, 2006	July is butterfly season Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
February 17, 2006	Ancient evergreens under the snow Pipsessewa (Chimaphila umbellata) Prince's pine (Chimaphila umbellata)
September 16, 2005	September's wild orchid Downy rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera pubescens) Nodding ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes cernua) Pink lady's-slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
September 2, 2005	Spotted Joe-Pye-weed in purple landscapes Spotted Joe-Pye-weed (Eupatorium maculatum)
August 19, 2005	Summer hummers Beebalm (Monarda didyma) Canada lily (Lilium canadense) Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Columbine (Aquilegia canadense) Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) Orange spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
August 5, 2005	Tiny orchids of August Downy rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
July 22, 2005	Cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds, butterflies Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Indian-pipes (Monotropa uniflora) St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
July 8, 2005	Milkweed and butterflies in our meadows Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
June 24, 2005	Not-So-Deadly Nightshade Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
May 27, 2005	Wild geraniums are native to the area Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)
April 15, 2005	Swamps in bloom Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
January 21, 2005	Wintergreen under the snow Checkerberry (Gaultheria procumbens)
October 1, 2004	Flowers that never open Closed gentian (Gentiana clausa)
September 17, 2004	Butter-and-eggs for beauty, not breakfast Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris)
September 3, 2004	Jewelweed is ready to pop Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) Pale touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) Purple jewelweed (Impatiens glandulifera) Purple touch-me-not (Impatiens glandulifera) Spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) Yellow jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)
August 20, 2004	Late-summer sneezing Goldenrod (Solidago) Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
August 6, 2004	Invasion of the Purple Loosestrife Cattail (Typha latifolia) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
July 23, 2004	Ghostly Indian-pipes by the path Indian-pipes (Monotropa uniflora)
June 25, 2004	St. Johnswort on the roadside St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
June 11, 2004	Wild iris in the woods Blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium) Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus)
May 28, 2004	Land of Swamps Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
May 14, 2004	Westborough's Pink Lady's-Slippers Moccasin-flower (Cypripedium acaule) Pink lady's-slipper (Cypripedium acaule)

Trees & shrubs

October 5, 2012	Virginia creeper and other autumn reds Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
May 4, 2012	Blooming blueberries Blueberry (high bush) (Vaccinium corymbosum) Blueberry (low bush) (Vaccinium angustifolium)
August 12, 2011	Hazelnuts in odd husks American hazelnut (Corylus americana) Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta)
July 23, 2010	Candy-cane stripes visible in the summertime Spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)
April 9, 2010	What’s the first wildflower of spring? Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
October 30, 2009	Native and invasive fall colors Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
May 29, 2009	A pretty but prickly escaped shrub Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Bristly locust (Robinia hispida)
December 12, 2008	An invasive decoration American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
December 13, 2006	Alien Invader Targets Our Hemlocks Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)
September 8, 2006	Turtlehead and butterflies Viburnums (Viburnum) White ash (Fraxinus americana)
August 11, 2006	A most unusual moth in town Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
July 14, 2006	July is butterfly season Chokecherry (Prunus) Wild cherry (Prunus) Wild plum (Prunus)
April 28, 2006	Good things from spicebush Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
March 3, 2006	Early birds get the dried fruit Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
August 19, 2005	Summer hummers Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense) Fuchsia (Fuchsia) Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) Silktree (Albizia julibrissin)
June 10, 2005	A sheepish laurel Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) Sheep-laurel (Kalmia angustifolia)
April 29, 2005	The first butterfly of spring American elm (Ulmus americana) Paper birch (Betula papyrifera) Willow (Salix)
March 5, 2005	Time for pussy willows Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
February 4, 2005	Westborough's Atlantic White Cedars Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus lebani) Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
January 21, 2005	Wintergreen under the snow Birch, black (Betula lenta)
November 26, 2004	Winterberry in our wetlands Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
October 29, 2004	Witch-hazel flowers for Halloween Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Non-flowering plants

May 25, 2012	Big Ferns Unfurl Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana) Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) Royal fern (Osmunda regalis)
April 29, 2011	An ancient and useful moss Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum)
April 17, 2009	Strange stems of April Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
February 17, 2006	Ancient evergreens under the snow Ground cedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum) Ground cedar (Lycopodium digitatum) Princess pine (Dendrolycopodium obscurum) Princess pine (Lycopodium obscurum)
December 10, 2004	Christmas fern in the woods Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

Mushrooms & other fungi

October 26, 2012	Hunting for mushrooms with an expert Mushrooms
September 14, 2012	Mushroom season brings colors & curiosities Old man of the woods (Strobilomyces floccopus) Viscid violet cort (Cortinarius iodes)
November 4, 2011	Turkey tail season False turkey tail (Stereum ostrea) Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
October 6, 2006	From shaggy mane to inky cap Shaggy mane mushroom (Coprinus comatus)
October 28, 2005	Lobster claws on the path Lobster mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum) Orange mushroom pimple (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
October 14, 2005	Puffballs in the grass Gem-studded puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea) Pasture puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis) Pear-shaped puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) Pigskin poison puffball (Scleroderma citrinum) Purple-spored puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis) Skull-shaped puffball (Calvatia craniformis) Vase puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)
October 15, 2004	Fall is mushroom season Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)

Garden plants

June 24, 2005

Not-So-Deadly Nightshade

Eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Peppers (Capsicum)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Tobacco (Nicotiana)

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)

Birds

March 29, 2013	Visiting redpolls lingering in town Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)
March 8, 2013	What are seagulls doing in town? Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis)
February 8, 2013	Pine grosbeaks come to Westborough Pine grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
November 16, 2012	Pine siskins visit Westborough this year Pine siskin (Carduelus pinus) Pine siskin (Spinus pinus)
June 15, 2012	June is a month for baby birds Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus)
February 24, 2012	Watching for robins American robin (Turdus migratorius)
February 3, 2012	Barred owls begin courting Barred owl (Strix varia)
October 14, 2011	Blue Jays harvest acorns Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
September 1, 2011	Big Birds in white on our shores Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Great egret (Ardea alba)
May 20, 2011	The drama of nature’s changes Blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus) Golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera)
April 8, 2011	Airborne clean-up crew returns Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)
February 25, 2011	How birds stay warm on a cold winter’s day Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) Tufted titmouse (Parus bicolor)
February 4, 2011	Cardinal’s song means spring is coming Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
December 10, 2010	Mergansers: December’s ducks Common merganser (Mergus merganser)
October 15, 2010	House finches at the feeder House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
September 3, 2010	A bird in decline Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
June 18, 2010	Bobolinks: Long distance travelers Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
February 26, 2010	Who’s out there? Screech owl (Megascops asio) Screech owl (Otus asio)
October 16, 2009	Palm warblers pass through Palm warbler (Dendroica palmarum)
July 24, 2009	A Mill Pond bird is Mr. Mom Spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia)
June 12, 2009	The season for baby birds Baby birds Chickadee (Poecile atricapilla)
May 1, 2009	Eating on the wing Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
February 27, 2009	The bird we love to hate Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
February 13, 2009	State bird speaks Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapilla)
November 7, 2008	Feasting on poison ivy Yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata)
May 23, 2008	May brings yellow warblers to Westborough Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia)
April 25, 2008	Watch for wildflowers in Westborough Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
April 11, 2008	Ospreys return to Mill Pond Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
February 15, 2008	Return of the mallards Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
February 1, 2008	Winter bluebirds brighten Westborough Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
November 9, 2007	The famous red-breasted nuthatch Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
October 12, 2007	Belted Kingfishers Dive and Burrow Belted kingfishers (Ceryle alcyon)
June 29, 2007	The catbird in the catbird seat Brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
March 23, 2007	Return of the red-wings signals spring Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
February 23, 2007	Westborough's tiny winter bird Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) Golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa) Ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula) Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
February 9, 2007	Valentine's Day for Skunks Great horned owl (Bubo virginianis) Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
January 26, 2007	Woodpeckers in Westborough's Woods Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) Hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
November 10, 2006	Lovely and controversial swans Mute swan (Cygnus olor)
September 8, 2006	Turtlehead and butterflies Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
August 25, 2006	Goldfinches and summer's thistles Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
June 9, 2006	Make way for ducklings Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
May 26, 2006	Bluebirds in Westborough Bluebird (Sialia sialis) English sparrows (Passer domesticus) European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
March 31, 2006	Wild ducks on our ponds Hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
March 3, 2006	Early birds get the dried fruit American robin (Turdus migratorius) Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
February 3, 2006	Nuthatches in the winter Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
December 9, 2005	Canada geese overhead Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
November 18, 2005	It's time to talk turkey Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
September 30, 2005	Fish-baiting green herons Green heron (Butorides virescens)
August 19, 2005	Summer hummers Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
July 22, 2005	Cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds, butterflies Hummingbird (Archilochus colubrus)
April 1, 2005	An owl in the nest Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
March 18, 2005	The mourning dove's coo Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)
November 12, 2004	Red-tailed hawks overhead Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
April 30, 2004	Great Blue Herons at Mill Pond Great blue herons (Ardea herodias)

Butterflies, moths, & caterpillars

May 17, 2013	Elfins are small brown butterflies of spring Eastern pine elfin (Callophrys niphon) Henry’s elfin (Callophrys henrici)
July 13, 2012	Seeing Small Butterflies Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus) Striped hairstreak (Satyrium liparops)
July 22, 2011	Tiger swallowtail butterflies Canadian tiger swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
May 28, 2010	A good year for butterflies American lady (Vanessa virginiensis) Painted lady (Vanessa cardui)
December 18, 2009	Moths in winter Bruce spanworm (Operophtera bruceata) Fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria) Winter moth (Operophtera brumata)
September 4, 2009	Butterfly disguises in late summer Eastern tailed blue (Everes comyntas) Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus) Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
July 4, 2008	Pearl crescent butterflies Pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos)
October 26, 2007	Late butterflies American copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas)
August 10, 2007	A caterpillar's life Black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes)
July 27, 2007	From caterpillar to butterfly Black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
July 13, 2007	Look-alike butterflies Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus) Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
May 4, 2007	Our earliest wild violet Aphrodite fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) Great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
April 6, 2007	Blue butterfly days Blue morpho (Morpho peleides) Eastern tailed blue (Everes comyntas) Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) Silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus) Spring azure (Celastrina ladon) Summer azure (Celastrina ladon neglecta) Summer azure (Celastrina neglecta)
September 8, 2006	Turtlehead and butterflies Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
August 25, 2006	Goldfinches and summer's thistles Painted lady (Vanessa cardui)
August 11, 2006	A most unusual moth in town Hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) Tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata)
July 14, 2006	July is butterfly season Coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
April 28, 2006	Good things from spicebush Spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) Spicebush swallowtail (Pterourus troilus)
January 20, 2006	Woolly bears and winter Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) Woolly bear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella)
July 8, 2005	Milkweed and butterflies in our meadows Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus)
April 29, 2005	The first butterfly of spring Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
March 5, 2005	Time for pussy willows Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus) Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
February 4, 2005	Westborough's Atlantic White Cedars Hessel's hairstreak butterfly (Callophrys hesseli) Hessel's hairstreak butterfly (Mitoura hesseli)

Other insects

March 23, 2012	Asian Longhorned Beetle at Westborough’s Border Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis)
October 10, 2008	Migrating dragonflies Green darner dragonfly (Anax junius)
July 18, 2008	Dragons and damsels Damselflies (Zygoptera) Dragonflies (Anisoptera)
June 15, 2007	An invasive rose Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
March 9, 2007	Honeybees in winter Bumblebee (Bombus) Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
December 13, 2006	Alien Invader Targets Our Hemlocks Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae)
July 8, 2005	Milkweed and butterflies in our meadows Milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus) Milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii)

Spiders

August 20, 2004

Late-summer sneezing

Goldenrod spider (Misumena vatia)

Mammals

November 5, 2010	Raccoons share our natural environment Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
February 5, 2010	Spring begins in February Groundhog (Marmota monax)
November 27, 2009	Beavers get busy Beaver (Castor canadensis)
May 15, 2009	Foxy neighbors Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
April 3, 2009	Our diving muskrats Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
October 24, 2008	Smart and feisty red squirrels Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
December 14, 2007	Winter marks return of deer-watching season White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
April 6, 2007	Blue butterfly days Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
February 9, 2007	Valentine's Day for Skunks Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
October 20, 2006	Acorns and chipmunks Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
July 28, 2006	A white squirrel sighting Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
June 23, 2006	The tale of the cottontail rabbit Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) New England cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis)
February 18, 2005	Squirrel tales Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

Reptiles

August 7, 2009	Snapper Sightings in Westborough Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
June 20, 2008	Westborough’s snakes are harmless Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) Ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus)
July 22, 2005	Cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds, butterflies Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)
July 9, 2004	Watch for painted turtles Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Amphibians

April 29, 2011	An ancient and useful moss Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)
March 18, 2011	WCLT’s wildlife sightings page Redback salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
August 13, 2010	Frogs at our feet Leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) Leopard frog (Rana pipiens) Pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris)
May 7, 2010	Songsters with warts American toad (Bufo americanus)
July 3, 2009	Listen for treefrogs Gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
August 29, 2008	A surprising salamander Red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens)
March 28, 2008	Special concern for blue-spotted salamanders Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
September 7, 2007	Bullfrogs in our ponds Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Green frog (Rana clamitans)
April 14, 2006	Tiny frogs herald springtime Spring peeper (Hyla crucifer) Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
March 17, 2006	Visitors to our vernal pools Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii holbrookii) Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) Wood frog (Rana sylvatica)
April 16, 2004	Signs of spring: Wood frogs and vernal pools Wood frog (Rana sylvatica)

Annual quizzes

January 18, 2013	Try the annual Nature Notes quiz (2012) A Nature Notes quiz
January 13, 2012	Quiz Yourself on Nature (2011) A Nature Notes quiz
January 14, 2011	Take the annual nature quiz (2010) A Nature Notes quiz
January 15, 2010	Quiz Yourself on Nature (2009) A Nature Notes quiz
January 16, 2009	Quiz Yourself on Nature (2008) A Nature Notes quiz
January 18, 2008	Prepare to notice nature in 2008 by taking the 2007 Nature Notes quiz A Nature Notes quiz
January 12, 2007	Think you know nature? (2006) A Nature Notes quiz
January 6, 2006	Think you know nature? (2005) A Nature Notes quiz
January 7, 2005	Think you know nature? (2004) A Nature Notes quiz

December 7, 2012	Book gifts for nature lovers Books
October 5, 2012	Virginia creeper and other autumn reds Autumn leaf colors
December 9, 2011	Earthquakes in New England Earthquakes
March 19, 2010	Earth stirs in March Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)
March 20, 2009	Looking Up Astronomy
January 30, 2009	Ice is nice Ice
August 1, 2008	Strange plants of summer Fungus-root partnership (Mycorrhiza)
March 14, 2008	At home in Westborough’s vernal pools Fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus)
February 29, 2008	Moon over Westborough Physical environment
September 21, 2007	The case of the mysterious jelly balls Bryozoans (Pectinatella magnifica) Jelly ball animals (Pectinatella magnifica) Moss animals (Pectinatella magnifica)
May 12, 2006	A mighty collision and much glaciation Geology of Westborough
May 13, 2005	Nature Notes in the classroom Gibbons 7th-graders use Nature Notes

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