Blue Jays
by Jacob Crider Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) are an intelligent and stunning bird native to forests, parks, and even neighborhoods in the Eastern and Central United States. Sporting vibrant blues,…
Acadian Flycatcher
by Jacob Crider The Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) is a species of flycatcher that breeds and nests in the southeastern U.S during the summer months and overwinters as far south…
Indigo Buntings
by Jacob Crider Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea) is a small and beautiful migratory songbird native to woodlands and grasslands of the Eastern, Central, and Southwestern United States. They overwinter as…
Yellow-throated Vireos
by Jacob Crider Yellow-throated Vireos (Vireo flavifrons) are a neo-tropical migratory bird that visits Kentucky during the Summer and Spring. Their wintering range extends from Central America, the Caribbean, and…
Cooper’s Hawk
by Jacob Crider The Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) is a native raptor ranging across the entire U.S, most of Mexico, and southern Canada. They live year round in the state…
Brown-headed Cowbird
by Jacob Crider The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a common species of Blackbird with a native range expanding from central Canada down to Mexico, and can be found throughout…
April is Native Plant Month
April is Native Plant Month by Christy Rybka What are native plants? The term “native plant” refers to any plant that naturally occurs in the region from which it originated.…
Mertensia virginica
All About Spring Ephemerals
All About Spring Ephemerals By Christy Rybka Many of the first wildflowers that bloom each spring are known as spring ephemerals. The word “ephemeral” means “to have a short lifespan.”…
How Birds Stay Warm in the Winter and How to Help
How Birds Stay Warm in the Winter and How to Help by Christy Rybka Although most birds migrate south for the winter, many birds do not. Some birds, such as…
American Sycamore: Platanus occidentalis L.
Winter Tree Identification at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve
Winter Tree Identification at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve by Christy Rybka Although many naturalists identify common Kentucky trees by looking at their leaves, winter provides a wonderful challenge to identify…