Save the birds, put away the suet for the season
Exploring the Western NY Wilds suggest pulling suet this week, read why By Bob Confer, follow Exploring the Western NY Wilds on Facebook I would argue that suet is the […]
Category: outdoor-activities
Spring has wings! The first butterfly of the year
The unique Mourning Cloak survives winter in a torpor Exploring the Western NY Wilds By Bob Confer, Follow Exploring on Facebook When you go out and about in the local […]
GALLERY: Friday the 13th in Cameron Mills NY
Scenes and winter songbirds from Steuben County From Janie Ferguson on the Canisteo River, It is currently 8*, and cloudy at 9:00 am here in Cameron Mills, NY this 13th […]
Purple dead nettle: A flower for all seasons
This member of the mint family benefits both insects and humans Exploring the Western NY Wilds By Bob Confer As we come out of this long, brutal winter you’ll look […]
The rare and interesting wood turtle
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: One of the most interesting reptiles in WNY is worth watching out for By Bob Confer A recent viral trend on social media has been […]
Where did all the mallards go?
Nearly all “greenheads” in North America now have domestic genetics due to “private game farms” Exploring the Western NY Wilds, By Bob Confer If you say the word “duck” to […]
Invasive species are destroying our forests
From Exploring the Western NY Wilds By Bob Confer, follow Exploring on Facebook The older readers of this column may remember the once abundant American chestnut. This magnificent tree dominated […]
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: The Tiny Caroler of Our Winters
The loud, proud, and ever faithful Carolina Wren By Bob Confer If your neighborhood was graced by carolers during the holidays count yourself as lucky. The singers’ beautiful voices filled […]
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: The joy of keeping an annual list of birds
The 123 birds counted in 2025 all provided joy and insight By Bob Confer, follow Exploring the Western NY Wilds on Facebook Birdwatchers are, in some way, listers. Most keep […]
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: Set out on a new path in 2026
Hit the trails in the coming year for better mental and physical health By Bob Confer If you are working on your resolutions for 2026 and looking for ways to […]
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: Appreciating the barred owl
Listen for: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?!” By Bob Confer If you are of a certain vintage you will remember how the northern spotted owl created […]
The Curious Y of Keuka Lake
Fun Facts, Local Lore & Why Our Lake Is Truly One-of-a-Kind By Penny Carlton, KeukaRoots.com There’s something about Keuka Lake in winter — especially as Christmas draws near — that […]
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: What backyard astronomers can expect in 2026
Eclipses, aurora borealis, meteors, and moons!! By Bob Confer, photo by Melanie Hunt If you are among the many rural readers of this column you are probably a backyard astronomer […]
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: The northern harrier, a threatened species to appreciate now
Once a common sight, this hawk depends on open fields to survive By Bob Confer, photo by Dan Jordan Due to the relatively late start of the last few winters […]
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: Screech owls — the ghosts of Allegany’s nights
The adorable raptor that sounds rather spooky By Bob Confer One evening last week I was serenaded by a screech owl. It reminded me of how much I appreciate their […]