Blue Ridge Birds and Nature at Hilton Pond North

In spring when Flowering Dogwoods open their bright white bracts in Appalachian woodlands, we know Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can’t be far behind. “This Week At Hilton Pond North” (Lansing NC) we reveal the hidden ties between dogwoods, snails, and salamanders, and even butterflies and leaf beetles. Installment #36 includes discussions of our first ruby-throat and Indigo Bunting of the season as well as detailed lists of all birds banded and recaptured.After listening to our “Deep Dive” podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260409.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

You’ve heard of the Smokies, the Appalachians, and the Blue Ridge, but how about the Amphibolite Mountains? They’re right here in Ashe County NC and are home to diverse flora, from Flame Azaleas to Scottish Harebells. “This Week at Hilton Pond North” we talk about these unique high ridges and toss in info about birds from finches to phoebes and cowbirds, too. There’s our usual tadpole update, along with an amazing list of goldfinch recaptures.After listening to our “Deep Dive” podcast you can view the complete photo essay #35 at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260325.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

The hummers are coming and our time-honored map suggests when to have your feeder up to get the first Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Installment #34 of “This Week At Hilton Pond North” is bird-centric, with images and info about Northern Flickers, Chipping Sparrows, and Pine Siskins—plus Wild Turkey videos. There’s also an update on our huge colony of Wood Frog tadpoles, plus data on some very interesting returns of migratory American Goldfinches.After listening to this podcast you can view the hummingbird migration map and complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260316.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Despite the calendar, “This Week at Hilton Pond North” we found insects out on warm days in early March, from bees to beetles to butterflies. The pond finally thawed enough for Wood Frogs to lay eggs that fast-hatched into millions of tadpoles. American Goldfinches continued to mob our feeders, and we banded a locally scarce Field Sparrow and discuss some Downy Woodpecker secrets. Hear all about it in our latest “Deep Dive” podcast.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260301.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

When birds at your feeder scatter for no apparent reason, it's possible a Sharp-shinned Hawk has entered the vicinity. Installment #32 of "This Week at Hilton Pond North" focuses on this little raptor AND unveils our latest venture: This brand-new Podcast series to complement our photo essays. We add some ifasinating info about Wild Turkeys, a feeder thief, and a nocturnal scenario down at the pond—all this plus some interesting captures and recaptures from our bird banding site.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260216.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

While we were snowbound "This Week at Hilton Pond North," life went on for wildlife in frigid mountain woods as the cycle of nature had an impact on a particular White-tailed Deer buck. Hundreds of birds from Mourning Doves to Eastern Towhees to American Goldfinches mobbed our feeding station and our pond stayed frozen solid to the exclusion of Wood Frogs—on standby for early breeding. Hear all about it in our “Deep Dive” podcast.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260203.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Who's better at forecasting winter: Punxsutawney Phill or Hilton Pond Harry, the White-footed Mouse? You'll get the answer in Hilton Pond North's latest "Deep Dive" podcast #30 for 28 Jan 2026.We also talk about winter birds and the DANGER of feeding corn to White-tailed Deer in winter.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260128.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Hilton Pond North is excited to announce a 24/7 Nature Cam Livestream, focusing on bird feeders and a multitude of happenings in the wild. And did w mention snow and an army of American Goldfinches? All this and more in our latest "Deep Dive" podcast.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260116.html . From there you can get to the livestream on YouTube.Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Although we learn a lot about birds from just banding them, even more most significant knowledge comes when a banded bird is recaptured, telling us about migration patterns and possibly longevity and site fidelity. Such was the case "This Week at Hilton Pond North" (Lansing NC) when we caught a Purple Finch banded far away from us and even in a different country! Hear all about it in the “Deep Dive” podcast, which includes notes about snow—plus our weekly tally of birds banded and recaptured locally.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260101.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

You won't want to miss our 2025 bird banding results in "This Week at Hilton Pond North" (Lansing NC). Is YOUR favorite bird—maybe a Wood Thrush—on the list? The “Deep Dive Podcast” explores an always-interesting tally of banded birds that returned to our site, plus action at a deer carcass and an acknowledgment of "Top Tier" supporters.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251225.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

If you live in Alaska or Greenland, it's no big deal to see Snow Buntings, but when one appears in Ashe County NC birders flock to see it. "This Week At Hilton Pond North" we chronicle in our “Deep Dive” podcast our visit to see this wayward Arctic bird on a grassy bald in Pond Mountain Gamelands, where another rare avian species also appeared.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251201.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

After several nights of trying, "This Week at Hilton Pond North" we finally caught another Northern Saw-whet Owl, only the third fully documented record for that species here in Ashe County NC. For info about this elusive nocturnal migrant check out out latest “Deep Dive” podcast.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251116.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

“This Week at Hilton Pond” (Lansing NC) the Aurora Borealis was terrific but there were lots of other nature happenings, from snow and fog to an earthquake and the arrival of two winter bird species. Check out our lkatest “Deep Dive” podcast for all that, plus info about White-tailed Deer, a seldom-seen insect, and our usual tallies of birds banded and recaptured.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251101.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

We hadn’t seen a hummer since 30 September, so “This Week at Hilton Pond” (Lansing NC) it’s time for our Ruby-throated Hummingbird banding summary for 2025. As explained in our “Deep Dive” podcast, It was a very good second year—especially for RTHU returns from 2024. Our latest installment includes Nature Notes about fungi, robins, and woodpeckers, plus a ravenous young White-tailed Deer.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251015.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

From fall foliage to colorful fruits and migrant warblers to predatory insects—box turtles, too!—nothing beats the wonders of October in the mountains. All this we describe in our latest “Deep Dive” podcast for "This Week at Hilton Pond.” There's also info about a Red Fox and our usual summary of birds banded or recaptured. Autumn's Showcase is just for you.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251001.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

What do a multi-hooked seedpod and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have in common? "This Week at Hilton Pond" we explore the connection, so please take a liste to at our latest “Deep Dive” podcast. There's also a description of an amazing ant swarm and discussion of not-so-confusing fall warblers. As always, "Nature Notes" and bird banding results are part of the mix.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250915.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

The anticipated wave of fall migrants didn't arrive "This Week at Hilton Pond" (Lansing NC), but we still banded a few colorful birds. Plus there were plenty of other natural gems to see—including a diminutive Gray Hairstreak butterfly (and another insect that might eat it!). From Milkweed to Monarchs and tanagers to hummers-—plus our usual banding tally—they're all part of our latest “Deep Dive” podcast.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250901.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Fall hayfever? No, NOT from glorious goldenrod, a common roadside native that plays important ecological roles and gets a bad rap about autumn sneezes. Just as important are its pollinators, from bees to beetles, butterflies to wasps. In our “Deep Dive” podcast of "This Week at Hilton Pond North" we explore all this, with info on a blue-hued warbler, a weasel reprise, and a tally of birds banded. After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250822.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

"This Week at Hilton Pond North" (Lansing NC) we reached another milestone as a fledgling male Ruby-throated Hummingbird became our 3,000th banding here in just 18 months. We also captured an unexpected bird new to our property and encountered via trail cam a sinuous little mammal we'd never seen in the wild. Then there was a colorful caterpillar whose name finally made sense. All this, plus a list of birds banded during the period are part of our ”Deep Dive” podcast.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250811.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

We were excited "This Week at Hilton Pond North" to encounter not one but TWO colorful species of Burying Beetles, rightfully called "undertakers" of the natural world. And the beetles brought a few "friends," too. Hear about this fascinating relationship in —our “Deep Dive” Podcast, plus info about local warblers, an unexpected Wild Turkey happening, and lists of all birds banded (including hummingbirds)After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250801.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

“This Week at Hilton Pond North" we observed National Moth Week, setting up a light trap that attracted individuals like the Rosy Maple Moth and other less showy but still fascinating species. “Deep Dive” Podcast #16 includes all these, plus photos of birds seen or banded during the period. After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250716.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

From our first fledgling Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year to a new dragonfly and a lavender wildflower to a baby garden spider, we watched a smorgasbord of natural happenings unfold "This Week at Hilton Pond North." Podcast #15 covers visits this plus another three bear sightings. Our “Deep Dive” includes lists of birds banded and recaptured during the period.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250701.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

In the world of nature things really started to pop during the last half of June at Hilton Pond North. We saw it all—from baby birds to butterflies and fungi to flowers, with trail cam videos of a fawn and a feral cat. As always in our “Deep Dive” podcast we include list of birds banded and recaptured during the period—including a remarkable tally of returning Ruby-throated Hummingbirds so far from 2024. After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250612.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

So-called "bee hotels" to protect native bees are all the rage, but are they really best for these little pollinators? "This Week at Hilton Pond North" we take a “Deep Dive” into that question and present both sides. There's also a tadpole and a butterfly info in thenpodcast, along with interesting news about newly banded birds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds returning from last year. After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250605.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

The latest "This Week at Hilton Pond North" podcast is a “Deep Dive about flowering Tulip Trees that dominate many eastern woodlands and offer food for everything from butterflies to hummingbirds. We also include three new Black Bear info, miscellaneous Nature Notes, and our usual tallies of birds banded or recaptured. After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250521.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

When we moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains we knew we'd probably have bears so we're not surprised these big furry beasts have made their presence known this spring. Our latest “This Week at Hilton Pond North" podcast reveals just how much trouble bears have been for our research. As always the “Deep Dive” include lists of all birds banded or recaptured during the period, plus notes about a West Virginia nature festival.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250501.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

“This Week at Hilton Pond North” we describe three "firsts" for our new mountain site: First Ruby-throated Hummingbirds of the year, first known RTHU returns for Ashe County NC, and first-ever American Crow to cross our banding table. The 18-30 April 2025 “Deep Dive” podcast includes our usual "Nature Notes" plus lists of birds banded/recaptured during the period.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250418.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

“This Week at Hilton Pond North” we share our first ever nature video collection, the product of several trail cams scattered about our 35+ acres. There's everything from white-tails to turkey tails and 'possums to hawks--all going about their business without knowing we're spying on them. The “Deep Dive” podcastdescribes the videos.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay and videos at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250409.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Although our current “This Week at Hilton Pond North” podcast highlights the bursting forth of spring wildflowers like Virginia Bluebells, there are also interesting "Nature Notes" about Eastern Bluebirds and info about the status of Wood Frog eggs laid earlier. As always in our “Deep Dive” analysis, we include lists of all birds banded and recaptured during the period.after listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250325.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Here Come The Hummingbirds! “This Week at Hilton Pond North” it’s time for our annual Ruby-throated Hummingbird podcast, including when and how to hang your feeder, a summary of our 2024 hummer banding results, plus cautionary remarks about hummingbirds and AI. We include banding tallies from a very productive week (Pine Siskin!).After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250313.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

When folks heard we moved to North Carolina property under a "conservation easement," they wondered how that would impact our bird banding and other natural history research. In “our “Deep Dive” podcast summary of “This Week At Hilton Pond North" we explain the easement and how it actually enhances our work.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250306.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Bird banding results from our first year of research at our new site in the Blue Ridge Mountains far exceeded our expectations, with more than 2,000 birds captured and released! In a “Deep Dive” podcast of “This Week at Hilton Pond North" we summarize our efforts in 2024, with descriptions of our "Top Five" species--including Blue Jays and, of course, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250226.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Bird banding is important, but follow-up encounters with banded birds are even more valuable. For the “Deep Dive” Podcast #4 of "This Week at Hilton Pond North" we describe remarkable recaptures of White-breasted Nuthatches we banded here on Fall 2024. Lots of nuthatch factoids and a tally of all birds banded and recpatured during the period.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250218.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Things are rolling along with our new Web site for Hilton Pond North: Blue Ridge Birds & Nature. A “Deep Dive” in Podcast #3 of "This Week At Hilton Pond North" describes the pond itself and its amazingly loud population of Wood Frogs that are already laying eggs in nearly frozen water. Included, as always, are lists of birds banded and recaptured during the period.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250211.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Last week we unveiled our brand-new Web site for Hilton Pond North: Blue Ridge Birds & Nature, including the first installment of "This Week At Hilton Pond North." We're already in the groove and today announce Installment #2, a primer on woodpeckers found in winter in these North Carolina mountains. Our latest “Deep Dive” podcast for 1-10 February 2025 describes SIX woodpecker species we encounter almost every day during cold months of the year.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250201.htmlHappy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Although we came to North Carolina back in February 2024, it took time to create a new Web site and blog series, so this Podcast #1 wasn’t actually produced until January 2025. The “Deep Dive” analysis for “This Week at Hilton Pond North” talks about the big move from South Carolina’s Piedmont to upper Ashe County NC in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There’s mention of birds from Blue Jays to Eastern Screech-Owls and Ruffed Grouse to American Goldfinches.After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250101.html.Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!