Worcester/Monadnock Plateau

The Souhegan River near Milford measured 34.3 cubic feet per second on November 5, 2026, well below the typical median flow of 130 cfs for November. The low streamflow follows a two-month period of abnormal dryness, with Hillsborough County improving from 100% of its area in the D0 drought category in early September to 48.02% in early November, though the county remains abnormally dry.

Abnormally dry conditions affecting Hillsborough County have retreated significantly since mid-September, when 100% of the county was classified in the D0 drought category. As of the week of November 3-9, 2026, the county has improved to 48.02% in abnormally dry conditions, with no higher drought severity reported.

American witch-hazel was flowering on 2026-11-04 in Hollis, New Hampshire and on 2026-11-03 in Hollis. This native shrub blooms in late fall through early winter after most other woodland plants have stopped flowering, providing an important resource when nectar is scarce.

New England aster was flowering on 2026-11-04 in Groton, Massachusetts. This fall-flowering native aster typically peaks in mid to late October but extends its bloom through early November in warmer years; the October mean high of 3.3°F above normal likely sustained flowering into the first week of November.

Three Golden Eagles were recorded at Miller SP on Pack Monadnock on November 3, confirmed by an eBird reviewer. These raptors migrate south in fall between mid-September and early November, with peak migration lasting from mid-September until the beginning of November, placing this sighting within the typical autumn passage window.

Eastern Floater (Pyganodon cataracta) was recorded on September 21 in Groton, MA. This native freshwater mussel is a filter feeder that removes sediment and algae from water, improving water quality as it feeds. Eastern Floaters are relatively tolerant of diverse water conditions and are widespread throughout their Atlantic seaboard range.

Mahogany Dun (Isonychia bicolor) was recorded on September 24 near Peterborough, NH. This mayfly species requires clean, well-oxygenated water and appears during fall emergence, a key shoulder season when other hatches are sparse. The presence of this pollution-sensitive mayfly indicates suitable habitat conditions for clean-water aquatic insect communities.

Say's Giant Caddisfly (Phryganea sayi) was recorded on September 25 in Beaver Brook, Hollis, NH. Giant casemaker caddisflies require cold water and occur in lakes and marshes as well as flowing water, and their presence indicates clean, oxygenated habitat conditions necessary for sensitive aquatic insect communities.

Eastern newts recorded through October 2 across the region including Groton, Peterborough, Hollis, and Dublin. These salamanders remain active in fall breeding and migration patterns; October observations continue a sustained presence from September through early month. Newt activity peaks in spring and fall when they migrate to and from breeding pools, and they are sensitive to wetland water levels and autumn rains that facilitate movement.

Fall field cricket recorded on October 5 in Rindge, New Hampshire, at the peak of the species' adult season. This native cricket overwinters as eggs in soil and matures in late summer, remaining active through October before cold kills the adults. The insect's presence in mid-autumn marks the window before winter when females burrow into soil to lay the next generation.