The other birds on the most endangered list are the Whooping Crane, Gunnison Sage-Grouse, Kirtland's Warbler, Piping Plover, Florida Scrub Jay, Ashy Storm-petrel, Golden-cheeked Warbler, and Kittlitz's Murrelet.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Act has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of the species listed as endangered or threatened. In addition, 68 percent of listed species are... Read On

I can't imagine there's anyone unfamiliar with this popular song, and I suspect it's at least partly responsible for the widespread misunderstanding of the meaning of bird song.

No, I haven't lost my mind; there is a strong (though misleading) connection between birds and fools falling in love. The second verse begins by asking, "Why do birds sing so gay?" Is it unreasonable to assume that after hearing this question hundreds, if not thousands of times, hormone-driven teenagers might conclude that birds sing because they're happy? I think not.

But contrary to what may seem intuitively obvious, birds do not sing... Read On

If a species can no longer find the plant community it needs to survive, even our best efforts won't save it. Habitat, be it in the wild or in a backyard, is essentially a three dimensional, holistic environment. And the single most defining element of habitat is plants. They turn bare ground into a forest. They render endless plains into prairie. They even dot the desert sands. Plants, in short, are the very foundation upon which most other life forms depend. ("Kims Knee High" Echinacea purpurea by Leisa's Images)

The most common error in creating wildlife-friendly gardens is... Read On

THE WINTER MOTH is a new pest that has recently emerged in southern New England and it is rapidly spreading throughout the region. In eastern Massachusetts, these voracious caterpillars seem to favor maples, but they will also feed on apple, oak, birch, and cherry as well. Even in June, many Massachusetts landscapes still resemble those of late January because of the severe defoliation caused by Read On

In Maine the problem is with the VIBURNUM LEAF BEETLE. They are native to and found throughout most of Europe, but have found their way to North America via plane or ship. Currently, they have been found in parts of Canada and also have been reported in parts of New York, Maine, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Ohio. It's only a matter of time before it spreads over more of the U.S. These beetles only infest viburnums, with some species being more susceptible than others. The most highly susceptible species are Read On