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Juncos
November 19, 2025 Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are generally migratory winter birds here in Virginia, though I’ve been up in Shenandoah National Park during the summer and have seen that there is a population of Juncos up there both in breeding season and the winter months as well. Doing a bit of research I see…
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My Buddy The Phoebe
November 18, 2025 Their breeding and wintering ranges overlap here in Virginia, so I’m fortunate that I’ve got Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) year round. Flipping tail. Often coming back to the same nest year after year. The independent sort. Eating berries when insects can’t be found. My buddy the Phoebe. _______________________ If you would like…
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Relying On Wind Dispersal
November 17, 2025 Seeds of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). We’ve had such big winds these past few days, these particular seeds probably have blown long distances thanks to their silken threads. Those silken threads, called floss, act like parachutes taking the seeds to new places to grow. These plants, and other species of Milkweed, help…
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These Are Not Cherry Tomatoes
November 16, 2025 Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense). Goes from this in June — — to this in November. Berries that look very much like they ought to be delicious, much like a cherry tomato. But beware. This fruit of the Carolina Horsenettle has a common name of Devil’s Tomato, which you should take as a…
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Two Color Morphs Of White-throated Sparrows
November 15, 2025 The white-striped morph of the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This morph has a bold black and white cap, along with bright yellow lores (area between and just above the eye and bill), crisp pale gray breast, and a pure snow white throat. Males and females of this morph sing more frequently, are…
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An Aggressive Non-Native
November 14, 2025 An exquisite colorway for this time of year. Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is an aggressive invasive non-native, originating in China, Japan, and Korea. A surprising characteristic is this plant’s roots which are bright orange. Another surprise, it can cause a rash like Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) since, like Poison Ivy, Oriental Bittersweet…
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Striking A Pose
November 13, 2025 A Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), striking a pose for my camera. Gregarious little birds gathering, sometimes with many together, to hunt for food. Going from one source of seeds to another with their undulating flight, singing their soft, sweet, “po-ta-to-chip” song as they go. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily…
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Scarlet Berries On Leafless Branches
November 12, 2025 Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), a species of Holly. Native to eastern North America in the United States and southeast Canada. By mid to late summer presenting a lovely contrast of rich green leaves with red berries sprinkled throughout. In mid autumn the leaves have fallen like so many others, leaving just the scarlet…
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Another Bird Species Here For The Winter
November 11, 2025 White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), often the most abundant birds here at the feeders during the winter months. They spend the breeding season in northern North America and their winters in the southern United States. Making the migration with other Sparrows, traveling at night. There are studies that suggest the White-throated Sparrows may…