A transformation in the night sky has taken place since summer, and the Milky Way has moved to a position where it is almost overhead.

Like September, October was a dry month. Total rainfall for October was .70 inches, more than twice the rainfall of September (.31 inches), but still significantly less than what the Vineyard usually gets. Normal average rainfall for October is 3.39 inches.

The news that many a Vineyard and off-Island birder has been waiting for: the Martha’s Vineyard Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. If you are interested in joining a field team or submitting a bird feeder report, please contact Robert Culbert at [email protected]. Rob will assign you to a team or inform you of the time to report your feeder list and the number to call to do so.

Fourteenth-century mystic Julian of Norwich was either very wise or just a nut.

On Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. a guided hike at the Gay Head Cliffs kicks off the winter walk series for the Vineyard Conservation Society. The process of erosion and the geological significance of the cliffs will be brought to light during this teaching trek led by amateur geologist Bob Woodruff and VCS Executive Director Brendan O’Neill. For more information, visit vineyardconservation.org or call 508-693-9588.

Family scalloping opened in the Lagoon Pond Saturday and Islanders took advantage of a mild November day to go out and collect heaping baskets. Once found from Cape Cod to Long Island, wild bay scallops are now largely unique to southeastern Massachusetts.