More Spring Miscellany: White Oak & Purple Finches

With spring officially at hand, nature continues to unfold at Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History. Of concern is the future of a massive White Oak struck last summer by lighting. Another mystery is what--if anything--is going on between our local populations of Purple Finches and House Finches.

To view a "miscellany" photo essay about the oak, possible interactions between the two finches, and the story of one of our banded birds that was found far away from South Carolina, please visit our "This Week at Hilton Pond" installment for 22-31 March 2006 by clicking on the title above.

As always we include a tally of all birds banded, a list of interesting recaptures, and assorted nature notes.

Happy Nature Watching!

BILL

Signs Of Spring 2006

Signs of "spring" have been prevalent in the Carolina Piedmont since late January, but now that the vernal equinox has come we decided to document some of the evidence. The current installment of "This Week at Hilton Pond" is devoted to some different views of local spring flora, both native and exotic. To view the floristric photo essay for 15-21 March 2006, please visit click on the title above.

As always we include a list of birds banded during the period; this week we also describe a whole cluster of interesting recaptures, while our miscellaneous nature notes include something perplexing about White-throated Sparrows.

Happy Nature Watching!

BILL

Twin Tales: The Owl In The Box

"This Week at Hilton Pond" our facility was home for a few hours to an orphaned Great Horned Owl, which is now growing up at the Carolina Raptor Center. For a photo essay about this fluffy little bird--including how it was found and how it looked and acted--please check out the current installment for 8-14 March 2006 by clicking on the title above.

As always we include a tally of birds banded during the period, plus several miscellaneous natural history notes.

Please try again if the page loads slowly; it's probably because lots of people are on-line watching the NCAA basketball tournament. March madness, indeed!


Happy Nature Watching!

BILL

Those Brown Purple Finches

'Most every backyard birder knows that some Purple Finches are brown rather than purple--but many folks don't realize not every brown Purple Finch is a female. "This Week at Hilton Pond" we discuss sexual dimorphism among Purple Finches and describe the differences between obligate and facultative migration strategies. To view the photo essay for 1-7 March 2006, please click on the title above.

As always we include a tally of birds banded during the period, and include a list of recaptures--along with some miscellaneous nature notes.

Happy Nature Watching!

BILL