If you live in Alaska or Greenland, it's no big deal to see Snow Buntings, but when one appears in Ashe County NC birders flock to see it. "This Week At Hilton Pond North" we chronicle in our “Deep Dive” podcast our visit to see this wayward Arctic bird on a grassy bald in Pond Mountain Gamelands, where another rare avian species also appeared.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251201.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

After several nights of trying, "This Week at Hilton Pond North" we finally caught another Northern Saw-whet Owl, only the third fully documented record for that species here in Ashe County NC. For info about this elusive nocturnal migrant check out out latest “Deep Dive” podcast.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251116.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

“This Week at Hilton Pond” (Lansing NC) the Aurora Borealis was terrific but there were lots of other nature happenings, from snow and fog to an earthquake and the arrival of two winter bird species. Check out our lkatest “Deep Dive” podcast for all that, plus info about White-tailed Deer, a seldom-seen insect, and our usual tallies of birds banded and recaptured.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251101.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

We hadn’t seen a hummer since 30 September, so “This Week at Hilton Pond” (Lansing NC) it’s time for our Ruby-throated Hummingbird banding summary for 2025. As explained in our “Deep Dive” podcast, It was a very good second year—especially for RTHU returns from 2024. Our latest installment includes Nature Notes about fungi, robins, and woodpeckers, plus a ravenous young White-tailed Deer.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251015.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

From fall foliage to colorful fruits and migrant warblers to predatory insects—box turtles, too!—nothing beats the wonders of October in the mountains. All this we describe in our latest “Deep Dive” podcast for "This Week at Hilton Pond.” There's also info about a Red Fox and our usual summary of birds banded or recaptured. Autumn's Showcase is just for you.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20251001.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

What do a multi-hooked seedpod and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have in common? "This Week at Hilton Pond" we explore the connection, so please take a liste to at our latest “Deep Dive” podcast. There's also a description of an amazing ant swarm and discussion of not-so-confusing fall warblers. As always, "Nature Notes" and bird banding results are part of the mix.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250915.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

The anticipated wave of fall migrants didn't arrive "This Week at Hilton Pond" (Lansing NC), but we still banded a few colorful birds. Plus there were plenty of other natural gems to see—including a diminutive Gray Hairstreak butterfly (and another insect that might eat it!). From Milkweed to Monarchs and tanagers to hummers-—plus our usual banding tally—they're all part of our latest “Deep Dive” podcast.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250901.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

Fall hayfever? No, NOT from glorious goldenrod, a common roadside native that plays important ecological roles and gets a bad rap about autumn sneezes. Just as important are its pollinators, from bees to beetles, butterflies to wasps. In our “Deep Dive” podcast of "This Week at Hilton Pond North" we explore all this, with info on a blue-hued warbler, a weasel reprise, and a tally of birds banded.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250822.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

"This Week at Hilton Pond North" (Lansing NC) we reached another milestone as a fledgling male Ruby-throated Hummingbird became our 3,000th banding here in just 18 months. We also captured an unexpected bird new to our property and encountered via trail cam a sinuous little mammal we'd never seen in the wild. Then there was a colorful caterpillar whose name finally made sense. All this, plus a list of birds banded during the period are part of our ”Deep Dive” podcast.

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250811.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!

We were excited "This Week at Hilton Pond North" to encounter not one but TWO colorful species of Burying Beetles, rightfully called "undertakers" of the natural world. And the beetles brought a few "friends," too. Hear about this fascinating relationship in —our “Deep Dive” Podcast, plus info about local warblers, an unexpected Wild Turkey happening, and lists of all birds banded (including hummingbirds)

After listening to this podcast you can view the complete photo essay at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250801.html

Happy Nature Watching—And Listening!