📜 EwA Week Highlights: Warblers & Salamanders, On the Move

[Mike McGlathery]

EwA Highlights October 21, 2025 Hello everyone,  Thanks for reading the October 21st EwA highlights. 📸 We’re already approaching the tail end of the fall warbler migration season here in New England. Many species have already departed for the warmer pastures of Central America and the Caribbean, but you can still spot a few passing through, such as this black-throated green warbler (Setophaga virens) that Bill observed on Deer Island. EwA iNaturalist Record (© Bill MacIndewar · Boston, MA · Oct. 17, 2025)  Observations of the Eastern red-backed salamander tend to hit a peak around this time of year, as they are engaged in a couple of different activities that cause them to be moving around above the leaf litter more than usual. First, they are searching for a mate, and second, they are seeking an appropriate hibernaculum in which to spend the winter. Put those two factors together, and it makes October the best month to observe this species outside of early spring. EwA iNaturalist Record (© feralbeetle · Newton, MA · Oct. 16, 2025)  One of EwA’s most observed species this week was the ligated furrow bee (Halictus ligatus). This species is active throughout the summer, and persists into the fall as we can see here. Claire observed this one in Somerville. EwA iNaturalist Record (© Claire O’Neill· Somerville, MA · Oct. 11, 2025)  📊 Thanks to everyone for your great biodiversity records this past week, totaling 714 observations of 392 distinct species. If you’re curious about the records from this week that have been validated by the iNat community so far, you can find them » here. 🏆 Running tally: To date, we have recorded 267,590 observations of 13,228 distinct species! Check out our EwA umbrella project, see the details per site/observer, and more » here. 📅 EwA Upcoming Public Events Ewa Field Events » Check the EwA Fall [ Event details and registration » ] Don’t miss some great opportunities to follow the rhythm of the season in our local habitats and in the local wildlife! Space is limited for all our field events. Wildlife ethics is important to us and we seek to avoid putting the pressure on natural habitats which large gatherings unavoidably do. We are asking our audience to register-and-commit (or cancel when you know you can’t come) to avoid no-shows. EwA Fieldwork (and Resources) It’s a great time to join our monitoring programs. Check EwA’s Volunteer Program Calendar 📅  to know when things happen. And if a session is of interest to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to get the rendezvous location. 📅 EwA Sites Map | 🌱 Site Protocols and Guides · Field Rosters · Field Notes » All here! | ℹ️ More about EwA’s Citizen Science Program » Here ❓ Do you have any questions? Don’t be shy. Just email me or reply to this thread.  That’s all for this week—hope you have a good one! -Mike