Blue Jays thrive among humans year-round, especially when feeders raw peanuts in or out of the shell and most types of sunflower seeds. Most northern jays migrate, but our blue jays do not, except to a better feeder. With a body-to-brain ratio just slightly less than a human, Blue Jays are adept at problem-solving and will work together to drive off nest or feeder raiders, often in violent attacks.
Articles
Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
From Texas Parks & Wildlife Services Description: The screech owl is a small nocturnal owl with piercing yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts. Nestlings are covered with fluffy white down…. Read More →
SPACE INVADERS
By Sharon Hanick, Member No, not the video game GenXers grew up with in the late 70s. The invaders this article is referring to are Brown-Headed Cowbirds. In the birding… Read More →
A Real Pain in the Asp
by Sharon Hanzik, PWL Member If you’ve ever experienced the sting of North America’s most venomous caterpillar, you understand the title of this article. It was a mild Fall day…. Read More →
History of the Piney Wood Lakes Chapter
by Becky McGraw-Wall, PWL Member The Piney Wood Lakes Texas Master Naturalist Chapter is celebrating its 15 year anniversary this October. The Texas Master Naturalist Program is a partnership between… Read More →
Carnivorous Plants of East Texas
by Shaila Palamand, PWL Member Often considered exotic, spooky, and even potentially dangerous, carnivorous plants are in fact native to our area and are not only beautiful, but also beneficial…. Read More →
Book Review: “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson (1962)
by Becky McGraw-Wall, PWL Member I had heard about Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson as a kid, having 2 biologist parents, but never got around to reading it until a… Read More →
Huntsville Bats Update
by Shaila Palamand, PWL Member July is a prime month for viewing Mexican free-tailed bats in Texas, as pups born earlier in the year are now old enough to fly… Read More →
The Disappearance of Dark Skies: A Glaring Reality
by Sharon Hanzik, PWL Member The George Observatory/Houston Museum of Natural Science at Brazos Bend State Park opened to the public in 1989. This particular location was chosen both for… Read More →
Texas Leaf Cutter Ant
by Bee Harris, PWL Member Leaf Cutter ants (multiple species) are the dominant herbivores of the Americas’ tropics. The Texas Leaf Cutter ants (Atta texana –Buckley) are unpopular with farmers… Read More →