Watch for Evening Grosbeaks at feeders along our border states and from southern Ontario to Nova Scotia this fall.

Pine Siskins are fairly common feeder visitors that prefer thistle seeds provided in a tube feeder.

Birders are excited to learn that this fall and winter will produce an active finch migration south, which has actually already begun. The new Finch Forecast describes in impressive detail the species by species potential of seeing such exciting finches as Pine Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks, White-winged Crossbills and Red Crossbills, Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls, along with popular non-finches such as Red-breasted Nuthatches, Blue Jays, and Bohemian Waxwings. Many should push southward from northern forests to grace backyard feeders and wooded neighborhood settings in southern provinces and northern states soon.

The best information available about migrating finches and selected other boreal birds is provided each fall by the Finch Research Network, produced by Tyler Hoar as the annual Winter Finch Forecast. After considerable research and consultation with biologists and birders across Canada and the northern United States including Alaska, Tyler creates an exciting description of what we can expect, and here we share some of the highlights of his Winter Finch Forecast.

From eastern North America west to northwest Ontario and the Upper Midwest States, there should be a good flight year for several species. In eastern North America, there is good food production along the coastal areas of the Maritime Provinces south into New England, which should hold many finches this fall and winter. Inland from this region to habitat west of Lake Superior, pine cone and berry production is generally poor, with scattered pockets of good production. Read more

Feather River, Middle Fork, on Plumas National Forest in California. National forests supply drinking water to almost 90% of the people served by public surface water systems in the West. (USDA Forest Service photo by Tim Palmer.)

Location, Date – Access to high-quality water will be a defining feature of the 21st century. Record heat waves and drought are not only leading to more frequent and intense wildfires but are also putting one of life’s most valuable resources at risk: the water we drink.

A new Forest Service research report describes how extensively public drinking water systems rely on national forests and grasslands. Read more

AMES, Iowa — Iowa has been steadily adding new habitat for monarch butterflies over the past couple of years. The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium recently released its Monarch Conservation Effort Report, which offers a snapshot of monarch habitat establishment through 2020 in all 99 counties across the state.

“This report demonstrates the significant impact so far from the combined efforts of the consortium’s broad membership and partners to engage Iowans about monarch butterflies and their importance to Iowa. Its release also underscores the need for continued education, habitat creation and conservation efforts by all stakeholders,” said Daniel J. Robison, holder of the endowed dean’s chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.

The report summarizes the program goals, methodology and habitat acres established through 2020. The data show that over the past six years, more than 430,000 acres of monarch butterfly habitat has been established in the state. The habitat acres already established are over halfway to the consortium strategy’s low-end goal of 790,000 by 2038. Read more

(HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA, October 3, 2022) – WOOX, producer of premium gear for the great outdoorsman, is excited to announce the new Solo axe for hunters, campers and explorers desiring an elegant multi-purpose implement that can withstand the rigors of backcountry adventuring.

The 8.5” wide tempered carbon steel (C45/1045) slip-fit head has two cutting edges, the primary edge measuring 3.5 inches. The opposing side of the head is an adze, proficient in fine point-work and digging tasks. The handle of Appalachian Hickory and available in Brown or Black, each with detailed checkering for a superior grip, measures 19 inches. The Solo weighs 1.85 pounds and every axe includes a genuine Italian leather sheath.

“The Solo is designed in concert with renowned axe maker Benjamin Bouchard specifically for those who make their own path, oftentimes finding themselves alone enjoying a personal experience in the outdoors,” said Danilo Minello, CEO of WOOX. “The dual cutting edges and mattock make the Solo a true multi-tool for those conscientious of the weight they carry and getting every bit of use from that gear.” Read more

An illustration of the 7 feather types – wing, down, tail, contour, semiplume, bristle, and filoplume.

A Red-headed Woodpecker in flight shows black primary wing feathers and white secondary wing feathers; contour feathers cover its body, and its tail feathers are specially adapted to provide support against tree trunks, branches, and other perches (photo by Paul Konrad).

If you are like us, you’ve probably been finding feathers in your yard the past month or so, and we’re betting it’s made you more curious about feathers. You’ve probably also seen some birds with missing feathers – tail feathers are often most obvious, wing feathers too. So much of what makes birds attractive to us is connected to their feathers. Feather colors and shapes catch our attention, and allow us to identify different species, sexes, and ages of birds.

Birds’ ability to fly captures everyone’s attention, and feathers help birds withstand a variety of weather and water conditions, which makes feathers an important part of the maintenance of birds’ physiology. With that in mind, we thought it would be interesting to share an introduction to the topic of feathers and molting, with a more expansive lesson link available for you to study more about feathers any time you wish.

Now, the Bird Academy’s “feather lesson” is expansive and Free, provided online to include information you can download along with a variety of videos to help visualize the diversity of information provided. Here, we provide a sampling of information that should whet your interest in learning more about feathers, plumage, and molting – so important to the life and survival of birds.

– Each feather on a bird’s body is a finely tuned structure that serves an important role in the bird’s activities. Feathers rarely act independently, usually overlap, and work together in a variety of ways that allow birds to fly, keep warm, keep dry, help them communicate, and often help them blend in with their surroundings.

– There are 7 types of feathers: Read more

Michigan is host to plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities, but one species stands tall: The elk. Fall is the best time to catch a glimpse of one of Michigan’s most sought-after viewing experiences.

Elk are massive animals that dwell within the rolling hills and hardwoods of northeast Michigan. Despite weighing between 400 and 900 pounds and standing 5 feet tall at the shoulder, they can be quite elusive throughout much of the year. However, during the fall breeding season, elk are more active while competing for mates. Elk congregate in open fields and bugle loudly this time of year, making for the perfect opportunity to view (and hear!) the wild herd.

The herd can be found only in areas throughout Otsego, Montmorency, Presque Isle and Cheboygan counties. For good locations to spot these stunning animals, there are 13 viewing areas accessible by road throughout the Pigeon River Country State Forest near Gaylord. Road conditions are variable depending on the weather.

When planning your visit, keep in mind that elk gather in forest openings at dawn and dusk to feed and socialize. It is best to arrive just before sunrise or sunset and make sure to listen carefully for males’ bugling. Bring your binoculars, spotting scope or camera for close-up viewing while remaining a safe distance away.

Visit the DNR wildlife viewing page to learn more about this unique Michigan tradition and where to do it.

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.

MISSOULA, Mont. — In an ongoing effort to maintain and enhance wildlife habitat, including the restoration of landscapes charred by wildfire, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $1,064,039 of grant funding across Washington.

“The Lick Creek and Silcott Wildfires burned more than 50,000 acres in Asotin County alone in 2021, detrimentally impacting critical habitat for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and other wildlife,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “This funding will address invasive weed growth, replant native vegetation and replace fencing and water developments across 2,500 acres. This effort supports our previously announced $1 million wildfire restoration commitment.”

RMEF provided $315,875 in funding that leveraged $748,164 from its partners. Read more

From apex predators like grizzly bears to feisty striped skunks, the Boone and Crockett Club’s Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch on Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front is a wildlife melting pot. You can see a small sampling of those full-time residents here. 

The ranch has dozens of wildlife trail cams set in key locations. Those cameras take thousands of shots every year. The incredibly meticulous job of choosing the best photos falls to Ph.D. candidate and Boone and Crockett Fellow at the University of Montana Chris Hansen. Check out the highlights below.

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Want to see more wildlife in action? Five of the 10 images have video available!

To see and hear these animals in action, register on B&C’s web site. It’s FREE and takes less than a minute to complete. If you already have an account, simply log in to gain access the videos.

Register Now For Free!

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1 of 10—Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Shot on location at the famous “campsite” area, this video of two grizzlies shows you exactly where you don’t want to pitch a tent on the ranch.

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2 of 10—Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

At the peak of the mule deer rut, a buck will curl its lips to help determine if one of these does is in estrus. It’s either that or this buck is hoping to borrow some chapstick.
Read more