“This Week at Hilton Pond North” we explore the life of the Chinese Mantid, an oversized non-native insect with an overblown reputation as a control for garden pests. Along the way we mention mantid interaction with bats, Monarch caterpillars, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and discuss late-nesting Carolina Wrens, a molting Northern Cardinal, and a new species for our “Yard List.” Learn about all this and more in our latest “Deep Dive” pocast!

After listening, please view all our colorful images in photo essay #45 at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260816.html

Colorful “native” wildflowers were everywhere “This Week at Hilton Pond North,” some planted and some volunteer. Installment #44 showcases these blossoms and their ecological value, with images of pollinators and predators that use them. There are notes about the Garden Gurlz and a rusty little toad, plus our usual tally of birds banded and recaptured—especially Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

After listening to our “Deep Dive” podcast, check out https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260801.html for a full visual perspective of these amazing wildflowers.

Late July at Hilton Pond North was packed with nature happenings! Join us as we build owl nest boxes, explore spectacular wildflowers on Pond Mountain, celebrate National Moth Week, and share hummingbird presentations for summer campers. Along the way we'll encounter White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkeys, and some remarkable moths, plus our usual tallies of birds banded and recaptured. After listening to our "Deep Dive" podcast, be sure to view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260716.html.

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

BILL

Thirty-two tiny teeth, paper-thin wings, and a life spent among the leaves—meet the Eastern Red Bat in Installment #42 of “This Week At Hilton Pond North.” Our latest podcast also talks about a Hooded Warbler, nestling Eastern Bluebirds, and a beetle whose wing covers resemble a Turkish rug, as well as our latest banding results.

After listening, check out the photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260701.html Enjoy!

Thanks to trail cams and personal observations we concluded “This Week at Hilton Pond North” we’re hosting at least EIGHT American Black Bears on our forested 35-acre property! These big furry mammals are out and about day and night, as described in our latest “Deep Dive” podcast.

Give a listen and learn something new about these amazing wild creatures; then take a look at our bear videos in photo essay #41 at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260616.html that also includes info about recent bird banding and recaptures.

Happy Nature Watching!

Mayapple is a favorite native wildflower across the eastern U.S.; parts are highly toxic but many of its seeds are disseminated by box turtles. “This Week At Hilton Pond North” we discuss this complex relationship and talk about birds we’ve recently banded or recaptured, including Eastern Wood-Pewees and Gray Catbirds. All this and more in Podcast #40. After listening, check out the full photo essay at: https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260601.html

Happy Listening!

Trail cameras offer a glimpse into the secret lives of wild creatures that often pass unnoticed in our forests. In this episode, we review highlights from our second annual collection of video clips recorded at Hilton Pond North, featuring mammals and birds ranging from Black Bears and Coyotes to White-tailed Deer and Red-tailed Hawks. We also summarize recent bird-banding activities and seasonal changes observed on our Blue Ridge Mountains study site. After listening, be sure to check out the full photo essay, complete with videos and photographs, at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260522.html.

For a birder (or a bander) hardly anything is more enjoyable than spotting the first warblers of the new spring season. “This Week At Hilton Pond North” we showcase five of these colorful creatures, plus a couple of other migrants. There’s also an account of a much-overlooked native hummingbird flower you might plant, with our usual lists of all birds banded or recptured during the period. Learn about all this in our “Deep Dive” Podcast #38 for 6-21 May 2026.

After listening you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260506.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

One of the most informative aspects of banding comes when a banded bird migrates away and returns. Such was the case "This Week at Hilton Pond North” when a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird appeared here for the third year in a row. Our latest essay includes her account AND info about two other hummers and a Hooded Warbler that also returned. The podcast also describes an important local butterfly and four new migrant bird species banded during the period. It’s all yours to hear about and ponder in Podcast Installment #37. Enjoy!

After listening to our “Deep Dive” podcast you can view the complete photo essay #37 at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260422.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

In spring when Flowering Dogwoods open their bright white bracts in Appalachian woodlands, we know Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can’t be far behind. “This Week At Hilton Pond North” (Lansing NC) we reveal the hidden ties between dogwoods, snails, and salamanders, and even butterflies and leaf beetles. Installment #36 includes discussions of our first ruby-throat and Indigo Bunting of the season as well as detailed lists of all birds banded and recaptured.

After listening to our “Deep Dive” podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260409.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!