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The Butterbutt
February 11, 2026 The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), or as birders affectionately refer to them, the Butterbutt. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
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A Green Of Winter
February 9, 2026 Its the middle of winter, relatively few plants are green. But this one is an evergreen, its leaves performing photoshythesis during the winter. Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata). The scientific name means “spotted winter-loving” in English. Growing to just 3 to 10 inches tall, preferring deep shade, frequently forming colonies. _______________________ If you…
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One Of The Gang
February 8, 2026 So many birds out there where I’m tossing hulled sunflower seeds, on top of the two week old snowcrete. Along with the plethora of White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis), there is also the occasional White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), and a few Chickadees (Poecile) along with their cousins Tufted Titmice…
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Red-bellied Woodpecker In The Morning Sun
February 7, 2026 This is a male Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), enjoying the early morning sun. The male of this species has a bright red cap going from just above his beak, up and over the crown, and all the way down the nape of his neck. The female only has bright red on the…
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A Rock-Shield Lichen
February 6, 2026 Rock-shield Lichen (Xanthoparmelia), found growing on rocks in sunny, open areas. Slowly breaking down the bare rocks they are growing on with acids they secrete, turning the rock surface to soil. If a good number of these lichens are found, it is an indication of good air quality. They get their nutrients…
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The Solitary Towhee
February 5, 2026 Many many birds have been coming for the hulled sunflower seeds I’ve been putting out for them. Mostly White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) along with a few other species including this single elusive Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), showing up just every now and then. Not even every day. This one, the one that…
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Pine Siskin
February 2, 2026 An irruptive species, Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus), which I seldom see here. It is winter if they do show up, depending on the food supply in the area where they are. They have been here in two years that I know of, 2015 and 2019. I’m hoping as I do every winter,…