Of the many dozens of bird books that I have read, skimmed, purchased or borrowed over 60 or so years, no one has inspired me more than Peter Cavanagh and his "100 Flying Birds."

Problematic woodpeckers damaging wooden molding on a house; robins seen in recent weeks and a virtual jumping worm conference at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are a few of the topics discussed in the week's NatureWatch column.  

In this week's NatureWatch, columnist Thom Smith answers readers' questions about songbirds, suet and planting butterfly gardens. 

Thom Smith shares a few ways to preserve flowers and reeds. He also responds to a few questions about luna moths and the full moon.

This week, NatureWatch columnist answers readers' questions about "fairy webs" and light bulb stealing squirrels.

Q: I have noticed that the goldenrod is more prolific this year everywhere I look. And it also seems taller. I am wondering why. Also, I notic…

When we saw "Jay Z," the only fault we found was his name. He was a slender, short hair tan puppy with a blackish-tipped tail that wagged every time he saw us looking at him. So we needed to look no more at the assortment of dogs offered for adoption.

This week, NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith answers questions about the nesting habits of American robins, monarch caterpillars, dragonflies and updates us on the status of the disease killing off birds that visit our feeders. 

NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith answers questions about loosestrife, a reader's lack of garden slugs and beetles. 

NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith always seems to have the answers when readers pose questions. This week he answers queries about orioles, sapsukers and monarch butterlies.