• Northern Mockingbird in Dan & Melissa’s yard (February 2026)

    Spring is one of the best times to hear the song of the Northern Mockingbird. They sing during all seasons, but their songs are more complicated in spring.

    March 19, 2026
  • Dark-eyed Junco (female) in Dan & Melissa’s yard (February 2026)

    One of my favorite signs of spring starting each year is the soft, faintly musical, trilling song of the Dark-eyed Junco.

    March 12, 2026
  • American Black Ducks in Lancaster County (December 2015)

    Look closely at a flock of Mallards this time of year, and you might find a similar species, the American Black Duck.

    March 5, 2026
  • Cooper’s Hawk adult (January 2026)

    Few predators are more dangerous to your backyard birds than the Cooper's Hawk. Their short wings and long tail give them agility to chase down other birds.

    February 19, 2026
  • The mottled brown feathers of this immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker provide camouflage against the bark of many trees (January 2026)

    The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a migratory species of woodpecker that nests across the northernmost third of Pennsylvania.

    February 12, 2026
  • Rough-legged Hawk in Lancaster County (February 2026)

    I came across one of my favorite birds while driving west on a Pennsylvania highway this week: the beautiful Rough-legged Hawk.

    February 5, 2026
  • Carolina Chickadee in York County (December 2025)

    Winter is challenging for small birds like Carolina Chickadees, which weigh less than half an ounce, and Golden-crowned Kinglets, which weigh even less.

    January 22, 2026
  • House Finch (male) in Ed & Grace’s yard (November 2025)

    You're likely seeing many House Finches visiting your bird feeders this time of year. They're gregarious, so you often see them in flocks of 4 to 20 birds.

    January 1, 2026
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler in York County (December 2025)

    Winter is the best time of the year to see the Yellow-rumped Warbler in the Susquehanna Valley. Some spend the winter as far north as Canada.

    December 25, 2025
  • Horned Lark in Lebanon County (December 2025)

    Freshly fallen snow can be a great birding opportunity. Birds like Horned Larks that live in fields are usually pretty hard to find.

    December 18, 2025