Above: A male Evening Grosbeak feeds on boxelder seeds along the James River in southern Albemarle County, VA. Drew Chaney December 4th, 2020 This fall/winter has been bountiful for birders so far, as the east has seen a major irruption of boreal birds, with large numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches, Purple Finches and Pine Siskins reaching […]
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Dec
Dec
By Devin Floyd 12/3/2020 We are so excited to be featured on the nationally syndicated show, “Untamed”, featuring the wonders of salamanders, and the threats they face. The focal point will be the spotted salamander, and a conservation success story at a salamander migration site in Central Virginia. Here’s the story that will frame the […]
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Dec
Dec
By Devin Floyd 12/1/2020 The video relays a simple glimpse of the beauty of a Piedmont grassland in the dormant season. The footage was captured recently by one of our volunteers and supporters (Bill Sykes). The view is dominated by the characteristic indicator species of high quality grasslands, including little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and early […]
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Dec
Dec
By Devin Floyd December 1st, 2020 Frost now decorates Piedmont mornings. The leading edge of winter’s bite is upon us. Tow your summer heart into the coming dark. The intoxicating scent of the native rose in summer is also an expression of the power of winter. Do not confuse dormancy with death, nor conflate wilt […]
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Nov
Nov
Theo Staengl November 5th, 2020 This fall and winter, we’re expecting many more finches in the area because the pines in the northern states and Canada did not produce as many seeds as usual. Many finches eat pine seeds, so when there isn’t a good crop, they travel further south to look for food. Pine […]
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Sep
Sep
Also perpetuating the issue of species and habitat loss in the Piedmont is the idea and practice that an individual plant can support wildlife. It cannot, and many well-intentioned people and organizations are falling into a trap. A plant may attract wildlife, and for some reason we assume it is doing something good beyond attraction. […]
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Aug
Aug
By Theo Staengl August 21, 2020 On Monday, the Center for Urban Habitats survey crew set up plots on and around cliffs of a private property that rises above the Rockfish River in Nelson County, VA. A boulder field leading up to cliffs on two sides created a bowl. Ezra and Devin set up a […]
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Aug
Aug
The monarch (first image) and viceroy butterflies (second image) were named in honor of a force that diminished both human diversity and native habitat integrity. These beautiful insects fight for their very existence while bearing the names of their killers! As botanist Justin Robinson (@countrygentlemancooks) so eloquently explains, a powerful remnant of colonialism exists in […]
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Aug
Aug
Rachel Floyd, August 6th, 2020 With a wide wingspan and bold markings, the adult silver spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) is one of the easiest common butterflies to identify. The wings are primarily a dark chocolate brown. The forewing has a row of transparent gold spots, and the underside of the hindwing has a distinct metallic […]
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Aug
Aug
By Rachel Floyd July 28, 2020 Ipomoea pandurata, commonly called wild potato-vine, manroot, or man-of the-earth is a morning glory species that is native to the eastern half of North America. Grocery store sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a close relative native to Central and South America. Like sweet potato, wild potato-vine has a large […]