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That’s what the old timers would say and it meant you could dig for the many types of clams that make Puget Sound world famous for its good shellfish. But make sure you check local health advisories before digging for clams or harvesting oysters and mussels to eat. Some beaches are closed to harvesting due [...]

What does cold-blooded really mean? Unlike warm-blooded humans, cold-blooded animals do not generate their own body heat and must rely on the environment to regulate body temperature. On a cool day, cold-blooded animals like turtles or snakes may be found lying directly in the sun to raise their body temperature. Warmer days may have them [...]

Do you enjoy beautiful flowers, juicy fruits and fresh vegetables? Over 80 percent of the world’s flowering plants like cucumbers, blueberries and honeysuckle are dependent on animal pollinators.  Unfortunately, the populations of some of these animals – bats, birds, bees and other insects – are declining because of many factors. Increased use of pesticides and [...]

Did you know that many of the insects in your garden are more beneficial than harmful? When gardeners see insects or insect damage on their plants, many reach for pesticides in an effort to eliminate harmful pests. Unfortunately, pesticides can kill valuable garden insects – like ladybugs, assassin bugs and praying mantis – and may [...]

Bird photos are available for download at the bottom of this page. In much of the U.S., May is peak migration month. Billions of birds of every kind – songbirds, raptors and shorebirds – fly from their winter homes in the south to their summer breeding grounds in places as far north as the Arctic. [...]

…So provide brunch! A perfect garden is not necessarily one without “flaws.” Often those munched-on leaves indicate a very happy caterpillar and a beautiful butterfly or moth soon to follow. Viewer Tip: As you think about spring gardening, New England Wild Flower Society recommends adding some plants to your garden which encourage caterpillars to forage. [...]

When thinking of the sights and sounds of springtime, do you think warbler? Spotting a warbler is a sure sign that spring is here. During the spring these beautiful birds migrate to North America from South and Central America. These spirited creatures are a treat for any birdwatcher. Noticing their cheerful calls can lead you [...]

Spring is the best time of year for planting trees, shrubs or other garden plants. Native trees and shrubs are an important part of a healthy Pacific Northwest. In the Pacific Northwest we still have lots of evergreen forests. But in our cities and suburbs, birds, animals and fish can benefit from having more native [...]

There may still be a chill in the air, but spring wildlife is awakening. This is the time of year when resident bats begin to emerge from hibernation and soon, migratory bats will be arriving in the northeast. While these mammals sometimes have a creepy reputation, they actually help control pesky insect populations and pollinate [...]

Want to have great soil and save money in the process? The good news is that the natural process for making good soil has little or no cost. Good soil management produces crops and animals that are healthier, less susceptible to disease and more productive. Earthworms are a sign of good soil health – and [...]

Daylight is growing longer and sunlight stronger, signaling ospreys to return to the Chesapeake to mate, rebuild their nests and lay eggs that will hatch in late May.  The water in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers is warming, stimulating a procession of yellow perch, white perch, striped bass (also known as rockfish), hickory [...]

Warmer weather brings increased bird activity in many parts of the country. It can also mean more birds accidentally striking windows. Sometimes birds are just dazed by the strike, but often they are injured or killed by the force. There are several reasons that our feathered friends fly into the glass. If a window is [...]

The 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place from February 18-21. Each year, bird watchers across the country tally the birds they see in backyards, parks and natural areas. Last year, GBBC participants racked up more than 10 million observations! Counting birds during GBBC helps scientists gain a “snapshot” of North America’s winter bird [...]

During winter months, wildlife activity decreases. Many animals such as bats, skunks, raccoons, opossums, chipmunks and bears use some type of hibernation to make it through the winter months.  There are different variations of hibernation and not all animals spend the entire winter “sleeping.” Some animals like the skunk, raccoon and opossum, sleep lightly and [...]

Punxsutawney Phil may be leaving his den to “predict” the weather, but his fellow groundhogs head outside at this time of year for a different purpose – speed dating! Scientists that tracked groundhogs for several years found that after about three months of hibernation, male groundhogs wake up in February to take stock of the [...]

Plants and animals that find their way to areas where they don’t belong are known as invasive species, or simply “invasives.” Invasive species, both plants and animals, can spread quickly because they have no natural predators or little direct competition from other species. They often displace or even drive out native plants and animals. Humans [...]

Wintertime in the Chesapeake Bay area means snow and ice. Unfortunately, that also means rock salt and other deicers on our streets and highways. On average, the Chesapeake region gets between 10 and 20 million pounds of road salt applied to its roadways every winter. Much of that salt finds its way into urban streams [...]

Flexible young trees are often used by whitetail buck deer as antler rubbing posts in fall and winter. They remove the velvet covering from their antlers by rubbing them against the trees. This also helps the male deer mark their territory and strengthen their necks for battling other bucks for mates. This is not a good [...]

When winter storms come through the Chesapeake, they can be spectacular, with howling winds, cold rain and occasionally, heavy snow.  In between, though, the weather is often quiet.  With water temperatures dipping into the 30s, cold-blooded Bay creatures slow way down and usually seek the warmest, most stable conditions they can find.  Most blue crabs, [...]

Even after the lightest snowfall, the activity of our unseen neighbors can be found the next day by observing their tracks. Squirrels, rabbits, voles, fox, owls, coyotes, deer and neighborhood pets are all active in the dead of winter and leave evidence of their travels. Often the trails criss-cross and stories can abound in the [...]