Plants & Gardens Blog

While working with BBG on Greenest Block in Brooklyn, the author found a reptile in need of some help. Read › Wood Turtle Rescued in Brooklyn

Don't be fooled by its cute looks and cheerful song. The house wren is a feisty bird that will dive-bomb catbirds, swallows, and even chipmunks! Read › Birds of Brooklyn: House Wren

This musical yellow bird is very devoted to its favorite plant. Read › Birds of Brooklyn: American Goldfinch

These big, fish-eating raptors have migrated back in New York City, and they're great fun to observe. Read › Birds of Brooklyn: Osprey

This woodcock's mating ritual is a site to behold. Find out how and where to spot these funny-looking birds in action. Read › Birds of Brooklyn: American Woodcock

In years past, most of the praying mantises at BBG have been a species from China. This year, egg cases of a native species have been spotted. Learn more about both! Read › All About Bugs: Native Praying Mantises on the Way?

Flocks of redwings are on the way back from Florida and the Gulf Coast. The males are easy to identify, but the females are not. Learn to recognize this common blackbird. Read › Birds of Brooklyn: Red-Winged Blackbird

This pretty bird was once sold as a pet, but it turned out that keeping one caged was against the law. Now this western native is thriving in the New York City area and beyond. Read › Birds of Brooklyn: House Finch

No longer rare but still fascinating to observe, this little bird is capable of stealing the fur right off of a sleeping raccoon's back. Read › Birds of Brooklyn: Tufted Titmouse

Sure, many flies are pesky, but some are beautiful and ecologically important. Maybe this order of insects deserves a little more appreciation. Read › All About Bugs: Fantastic Flies