On the Wild Side: Red-tailed hawks return to the nest

SPRING IS here. Sure, we can feel the warmer weather, but can you hear the spring, too? If you listen closely, you might catch the tune of the first songbirds coming home (not to mention the “melodious” honk of the Canadian geese). In addition to the longer daylight hours and green shoots coming up in […]

Vultures integral to the ecosystem

Many birders have stood with me at the hawk watch, staring into the sky with hopes of seeing a hawk, falcon, or eagle. While these birds make regular appearances, there is one bird that you can always depend on: turkey vultures. On a recent day, the sky was full of them — more than usual. […]

On the Wild Side: Coyotes deserve our respect

“Do you love wolves? Or maybe cherish a family pet dog? Do you think that foxes are adorable? Coyotes are also worthy of our admiration and reverence; to be cherished and adored. They are sentient and essential beings. All come from the same family Canidae, including jackals. Yes, they are all related! Coyotes are beautiful, […]

Get out of my tree, get into my nest

I’m sure I’ve written this before, but one aspect I truly love about nature is that it is always changing. Over the past few years, we’ve had robins consistently nesting on one side of the house or another. In bird houses, we’ve had sparrows, starlings, and even a pair of screech owls. This year, to […]

There’s nuttin’ cuter than a chipmunk

It finally feels official: spring has sprung. The songbirds are calling before sunrise, the hibernating animals are coming out and looking for food, the swans are honking on the water, and my favorite red-tailed hawks are screaming and soaring through the air. The rain is falling, the flowers are sprouting, and the Maple Leafs are… […]

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?

One of the most common and important wildlife questions I’ve ever been asked: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Not too long ago I spent a day at the beach walking the boardwalk. The wind was whipping the sand across the path and the water was pounding against […]