Site Discussions

As the state’s natural resources supervisor for New York City, I am desperately trying to stop the complete destruction of New York City’s remaining forests on Staten Island.  I am very grateful for this piece and for any messaging that can be sent out to help clarify this issue and resolve this dire and urgent problem

This morning I got up early and entered the kitchen. I saw an animal the size of a mouse come out from under the counter and move 15 feet in 2-3 seconds before going under another counter. I’ve never seen a rodent move nearly that fast. What could it have been.

House sparrows are very aggressive to my purple Martin’s. I live on the bay and watch how they distroy martins nest and eggs and kill the Young.

Thanks for the question Judy! It’s not a matter of the young birds “getting” their bills to cross, any more than I “got” my eyes to be green or my belly button to be an ‘innie’. Their bills cross because it’s in their genetic make-up. Whether being left-billed or right-billed is inherited or simply random chance, I have no idea, but presumably both are equally successful or natural selection would have eliminated the weaker of the two options.

I have several black walnut trees on my property, the oldest being about 200 years old. I would like to know if there are any hulling stations in Vermont and also if there are any walnut tree harvesters in Vermont.

Dear Steven,

You say that crossbills can be left-billed or right-billed.  “Beaks of crossbills actually cross over, either to the right or left.”

You didn’t say how the youngsters get their bills to cross? About 7 or more days after the fledglings leave the nest, the bill tips begin growing very fast for about three days. It would seem that the tip of the bottom bill would grow up into the bottom of the upper bill and force the mouth open, so the young bird would not be able to eat or drink. So how do the fledgling crossbills get their bills to cross? That is something that people reading your website might like to know. I would like to know how you think they get their bills to cross? You said some cross to the left and some to the right, but you didn’t say how the crossbills get their bills to cross so the upper bill is either to the right or to the left. Actually, about half make their bills cross to the right and half cross to the left so all the seeds in the cones can be exploited.

All the best,
Judy Hoy

Enjoyed this! Spent the summer trying to convince red squirrel to move out of my garage. Nothing worked until I found their midden hidden in rafters of garage. Three buckets full of black walnuts and shells. Apparently they even gift these stashes to their offspring.  Moved the black walnuts to a nearby woodland area (for other squirrels) and haven’t seen the red squirrel friend in the garage since.

We have our farm in CU. The farm has been in the family for over 200 years. My mom, who lived there until she was 91, just died. Now the farm came in a trust to my 2 siblings and my 3 cousins (total of 6 owners). I want to keep a portion of the farm while the rest of the family does not. CU makes it difficult to keep a part of this property and the house (I am an heir of the original owner) without incurring huge fees. Apparently no transfer of deeds, even if no money is exchanged, will allow my to keep the farm in the family without CU exacting a huge cost (which I am probably unable to pay since I don’t want to sell anything).  How can we accomplish keeping the farm (what my grandfather and his grandfather worked so hard to do through years of struggle) without CU giving us no choice but to sell? It is currently 26 acres in AG and about 200 in forestry.

I love Mourning Doves.  They nested in our backyard Christmas tree this spring.  The first set of babies grew and flew off to their new adventure.  Then, they had another set of babies, but from what I could see, they stayed very small and then today, the nest was empty.  I feel sad…something must have attacked their nest??  Mama dove was sitting on our roof watching the tree…but the babies were gone.  Hopefully, they will return and nest again.  Thank you for your article on Mourning Doves!

I have a letter from a relative on my mothers mothers side, where thes man said that they had come to the end of the old mans beard.  I have tried to understand what this man from the 1800’s was referring to…. Thank you for this information as it helps to clarify his letter.  If I remember right he lived in the Carolinas possibility even Kentucky or Tennessee.  Back then there was lots of TB and consumption and I’m sure they must have used it a lot through the civil war and olden times! I figure when he writes “we are at the end of the old mans beard” he must have been referring to the end of the growing season, just an assumption on my part!Thank you.

Raised over fifty monarchs to adults and still counting :D

I have a Viburnum acerifolium and I would like to know if the berries on this shrub are poisonous or whether they can be eaten by humans.  Any help will be appreciated.  Thank you.

sincerely,
Paul Holden
Shelton, WA

These morning doves are amazing! I had two hatch in my flower pot and they are back again.
What disheartens me is people’s comments on here, one in parties by Gary- who hunts them. I suggest that he keeps his selfish remarks to himself about these beautiful birds. He is another low life person who doesn’t value nature. Shame on Gary Bobseine. You do not belong on this site.

I’ve found 2 caterpillers. 1-1 1/2 inches long black yellow black with white whiskers at either end. Are these distructive & what kind are they please?

First: Thank you for all the work you do. Second : a short funny bat story.
Years ago I woke up to noises in my house.  Noises like someone was bumping into things…a burglar (or worse)?  It was perhaps one or two in the morning. Listening, I realized the noises had progressed from downstairs to the upper hall. As I got out of bed ’ it’ was suddenly in our bedroom and I realized it was a bat. I’ve always liked bats but catching one in the dark was interesting. As I tried to catch it, it moved into our computer room.  I had a A-ha-Gottcha! moment and came up with the smallest most baby bat I have ever seen.  It was so cute and SO little. As I was trying to figure out how to open a window with my hands full of bat the problem was solved..  He grabbed a chunk of my thumb and bit with all his might.  It was so gentle.  I could hardly feel the pressure.  Do baby bats have no teeth?  But this action freed up one hand.  He was holding on for all he was worth.  I was able to open the window, pried the bat gently off my finger and he flew away. My husband slept through the whole episode.

Thank you, Dave Mance III and Gerry Lemmo, soo much for the information and pictures in this article! Thanks to both I was able to successfully identify a wingless female White-Marked Tussock Moth!

The Woodcock has appeared at my farm this last February 2019.  Was beyond excited to find and hear them.  I hope for their return this winter!!

I am an amateur naturalist and Master gardener. I love every bit of nature, Unfortunately, we are losing it to builders who do what they do for money only. Wildlife habitats are disappearing, I did not see any butterflies last year, this year I had plenty. I have nine Butterfly bushes and an extensive array of perennials. Hummingbirds and the like are flourishing. Thanks for your photos, I photograph different stages of the praying mantis, as I have many in my yard, I collected some egg cases years ago and they remain in my yard. I have them in every stage, including laying their egg case, and escaping from their exoskeletons!, They are marvelous creatures.

I have 3 or 4 that visit my yard 2 that actually come on the porch and beg for peanuts ( prefer) as they also store sunflower and safflower seeds they are very territorial I have one that comes up on the porch all the time and he runs everyone else off and I’m pretty sure his cachet is pretty extensive I just love the little guys they’re so cute I do find that they are smarter than squirrels I’ve seen them run birds off squirrels off all I have to do is open the 10 to my bird seed container and he comes running up the stairs one of the other ones caught on to that trick too but he seems to run him off all the time they are funny to watch I’m pretty sure my little guys will have a good winter.

Today my wife and I visited Gorham and Berlin in NH . We had so many complex feelings. That is the pulp making industrial development way since 1995 in the whole world . High consumption, high environmental pollution and high competition electronic products . But we will remember the great history of Gorham and Berlin in NH for ever !!