Hilton Pond North—Blue Ridge Birds & Nature

10/24/2026

The individual in our photo may be a common bird for you, but that's not the case here at Hilton Pond North (Lansing NC). This American Robin (AMRO) was the first we've ever caught locally, and we had two today—making AMRO our 75th species banded locally since March 2024. The species breeds in every North Carolina county from the mountains to the sea. Even so, American Robins are uncommon in Ashe County NC in winter, although they sometimes occur in large flocks. (Also today, 24 October 2026, we banded our first Dark-eyed Junco of the season—a sure sign winter is on the way!)

10/23/2026

Looks like at least one Chinese Mantid has survived several nights below freezing at Hilton Pond North (Lansing NC). 23 October 2026.

10/19/2026

#48—Final Fall Fling For Far-Flyers (And Others)
We banded quite a few birds “This Week at Hilton Pond North” (Lansing NC)—including migrant thrushes and recently fledged Cedar Waxwings (see photo)—but the big story in photo essay #48 concerns a hypomelanistic Downy Woodpecker that hit our nets. There’s also info about new beetle and snail species found on the property, plus tallies of all birds banded and recaptured during the first half of October 2026. Check it all out at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20261001.html and then give a listen to our related “Deep Dive” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

10/09/2026

An immature female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (see photo) brought a milestone to Hilton Pond North: Our 5,000th bird banded since March 2024! In Installment #47 of "This Week at Hilton Pond North," close-up photos reveal her golden underwings, a Chestnut-sided Warbler's unusual plumage, and a Magnolia Warbler's distinctive tail. We also examine how migrating birds fuel their journeys—and why native Dogwood and Spicebush fruits are so valuable along the way. We include our latest banding and recapture tallies while a slow-moving Dusky Slug makes an appearance. Check it all out at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260916.html After reading, give a listen to our “This Week” deep dive podcast via Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

10/04/2026

It's October and Halloween isn't too far away, so it's time again to post our annual warning about artificial spider webs some folks feel compelled to use in holiday displays. Please don't, but please do spread the word. Our earlier post:

Y'know those artificial spider webs that are in vogue as a Halloween decoration? Not only are they a waste of money and natural resources, they're also a potential DEATH TRAP for birds (and likely other small animals). Here’s a photo (not mine) of a now-dead female Downy Woodpecker whose tongue, feet, and tail are ensnared in a fake web. If you have any of this junk hanging, please take it down immediately and destroy it.

09/27/2026

The new Winter Finch Forecast just came out.

By Tyler Hoar: Cover Photo of Dancing Crossbills by Jamie Sylvan– GENERAL FORECAST: Last year was a bit of a mixed bag for boreal irruptions, but it was a solid flight year here in the Read More

09/21/2026

“This Week at Hilton Pond North” saw a flurry of birdiness highlighted by the 700-mile recovery of a migrant Purple Finch. There was also a late fledging of Carolina Wren chicks, the return of some feeder species, a special Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and a very large raptor added to our “Yard List.” We reveal a rarely seen structure on a Chinese Mantid, plus a moth that startles potential predators with bright colors. All this and our usual banding and recapture tallies are in photo essay #46 at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260901.html

Be sure to listen to the podcast after viewing the link. :-)

09/10/2026

This evening (9 Sep 2026) just before dusk we netted and banded Hilton Pond North's 172nd Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the year—an adult female. This is a new record, surpassing last year's 171. (We banded 154 in 2024, our first year at this new mountain site near Lansing NC.) Since our latest-ever RTHU was on 7 October, there could be nearly a month to go in the current banding season, so who knows where we'll end up!