In this week's column, Thom Smith makes a case for enjoying the company of crickets. 

This week, Thom Smith has a few things to say about two invasive species — Japanese knotweed and crazy jumping worms. 

Did you know that there are 23 species of goldenrod in the Berkshires? Who knew? NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith does, although, he hasn't encountered them all. 

In this week's NatureWatch, columnist Thom Smith answers questions about hummingbird moths and tiger swallowtails, while a reader writes in offering a solution for those pesky jumping worms. 

This week, NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith answers a reader's question about spiders, monarch butterflies, hummingbird sugar mixtures and a hummingbird moth sighting. He's also wants to know if anyone in Berkshire County has those crazy jumping worms in their yards?

In this week's NatureWatch, columnist Thom Smith answers readers' questions about what flowers to plant to attract monarchs and other butterflies, as well as, what seeds and nuts to feed backyard birds. 

Readers share summer wildlife updates from their backyards.

This week, Thom Smith answers questions about garter snakes, black squirrels and skunks. 

This week, NatureWatch columnist Thom Smith answers questions about American goldfinches and cowbirds. 

Antlion larvae or "doodlebugs" are truly the most mesmerizing of insect predators. Like a spider, it will paralyze its potential meal by injecting poison. It then sucks out the nutritious juices and tosses away the empty carcass.