Critter Tales

Do not feed the bears. Period.

Do not feed the bears. Period.

By Buckmasters Online

Photo: Hungry bears eat whatever they can find, and in spring that’s often the seed in your birdfeeder. – Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It’s spring and the bear warnings have started. If you live in areas frequently populated by black bears, you’ve heard good advice:  Take down your birdfeede... READ MORE

The UV light at the end of tunnel could be the answer to end WNS and save bats

The UV light at the end of tunnel could be the answer to end WNS and save bats

By Buckmasters Online

Photo: WNS is evident in this Northern long-eared bat, photographed in January 2013 in LaSalle County, Illinois. – Photo courtesy Steve Taylor, University of Illinois. The fungus behind white-nose syndrome, a disease that has ravaged bat populations in North America, may have an Achilles' heel: UV light. This good news comes from a team of s... READ MORE

’tis the season to count birds!

’tis the season to count birds!

By Buckmasters Online

When the first Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held Christmas Day more than a century ago—118 years ago, in fact— its founder may not have known the occasion would become a holiday tradition appealing to bird watchers for generations. That tradition has become, historically, the largest of ongoing citizen scientist projects. American or... READ MORE

Wild turkeys — true, original Americans

Wild turkeys — true, original Americans

By Buckmasters Online

Benjamin Franklin called the wild turkey “a true original native of America,” and a “bird of courage” because turkeys were known to attack red-coated British grenadiers during the Revolutionary War. Old Ben may have looked past the fact that a wild turkey has a usual negative reaction to the color red, male birds seeing it ... READ MORE

The smallest falcon has its own superpower

The smallest falcon has its own superpower

By Buckmasters Online

Photo: The American Kestrel—a small, fierce raptor. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America, but it was once misidentified as a sparrow hawk. Similar in size to a mourning dove, at nine inches in length, with a 22-inch wingspan, and weighing 4.1 ounces, this fierce little raptor has its own superpower—it can see ult... READ MORE

Migrating orioles love Southern hospitality (and grape jelly)

Migrating orioles love Southern hospitality (and grape jelly)

By Buckmasters Online

Photo: An adult male Baltimore oriole enjoys his favorite grape jelly snack at a feeder. During February 2017, for the third year in a row, South Carolina became known as the state most favored as a winter home by migrating Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore Orioles are neotropical migrants, normally wintering in South and Central America and migrating t... READ MORE

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd