American Woodcock Every spring we anxiously wait for the American Woodcock PEENT calls. When we hear it we know that they’re starting their spectacular spring dancing- and we know spring is finally really here. We hardly ever see them, but we hear them at dusk when we’re finishing our chores or taking Bear for a walk. They are perfectly camouflaged against the leaf litter. They are a brown-mottled in color and have unique long bills they use to poke along the soil for earthworms. American...

Every summer, they show up on our bee balm and phlox. They hover and they zip around from flower to flower. It’s like magic!!! They always keep us company as we harvest our medicinal flowers and herbs. They look like a hummingbirds and act like hummingbirds— but they’re moths: hummingbird clearwing moths. The first time I saw one, I was confused. What is that? I watched for a long time and was mesmerized by their speed and beauty. I fell in love with these tiny creatures. They’re native...

We all hear about how important it is to support pollinators in upstate NY, especially by planting native favorites that they rely on throughout the growing season. Plants like Milkweed (common, swamp, butterfly), Echinacea, Joe Pye Weed, Asters, Yarrow, Liatris, Rudbeckia, Sneezeweed, Cardinal Flower, Monarda, Goldenrod, and other native plants play a vital role in providing nectar and habitat. Well, it’s not too late to plant them from seed! It’s easy and anyone can do it. Each year at...