When we moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains near Lansing we knew we'd probably have bears so we're not surprised these big furry beasts have been present this spring. "This Week at Hilton Pond North" our videos reveal how much trouble bears have been for our research. As always we include lists of birds banded or recaptured during the period, plus nature notes. Please check out https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20250501.html @followers #bears #birdbanding #feeders (fb)

As part of their purge of all things good, DOGE has targeted the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area for elimination perhaps as early as this week. THIS INCLUDES THE U.S. BIRD BANDING LABORATORY. A consortium of conservation NGOs and professional societies are holding a virtual rally at noon EDT this Thursday, May 22. Please join us by clicking on the link below. My life's work has been to bring environmental awareness to students, teachers, and the general public across North and Central America, and bird banding has been one of my most successful tools. The loss of this tool would be devastating to my research and education endeavors. It costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time to show your support, so please click on the link. (fb)