Wildlife Watch

We have certainly had a hot summer, with lots of sun. But there’s a lot to love about the sun, especially its energy! We can capture the sun’s energy in solar panels, heat and cool our homes, run our electric stoves and lights. While using lots of electricity derived from the burning of fossil fuels … Read more

Scientists have only recently learned that birds, like insects, can see ultraviolet light. Birds can see the entire spectrum of light from ultraviolet to infrared. They see the same colors we see, but much more. And this explains a lot. The history of research on this phenomenon is reported in The American Institute of Biological … Read more

One of my favorite hobbies is collecting old bird and wildflower guides. Perhaps you have a passion for this type of old book too. Recently, I was fortunate to be given a wonderful old pocket bird guide by a Westford friend. The book is titled Land Birds   Bird Guide: Song and Insectivorous Birds East of … Read more

Brighter Outlook by Stepping Out Westford has lost a talented photographer, poet and nature lover, and I have lost a friend. Doug Pederson sent me many of his lovely bird photos over the years I knew him, and gave me permission to use them for the Westford Wildlife Watch column. His family put together some … Read more