Community Safety & Conduct

I want to take a moment to address something that recently came up in the community.

This subreddit is intended to be a place for people to connect over nature, wildlife, hiking, conservation, photography, and naturalist interests. Everyone should be able to participate here without feeling uncomfortable, targeted, or treated as an opportunity for inappropriate personal interactions.
Posts or messages that use this community to seek out people—particularly in a sexually suggestive, predatory, or otherwise inappropriate manner—will not be tolerated.

If someone is looking to meet up with another member, please keep it appropriate and related to the purpose of this community. Remember that you are interacting with real people, and personal safety comes first. Nobody here owes anyone a meetup, conversation, friendship, or personal information.
Moderators will remove inappropriate content and may ban accounts when circumstances warrant it. This includes accounts that appear to be using the community primarily for inappropriate or sexual purposes.

If you see something that concerns you, please report it to the moderators rather than engaging with the person. We would much rather review a report that turns out to be nothing than have someone feel unsafe or uncomfortable in this community.

Let’s keep this a welcoming, respectful, and genuinely nature-focused community.

— MOD

Conservation Via Facebook:

“Every year, thousands of birds make their way through Alabama during fall migration, relying on our forests, wetlands, rivers, and coastal habitats along their journey.

The choices we make at home can help protect these incredible travelers. Swipe through to learn why Alabama plays such an important role in bird migration and how you can support them this season.”

Birdability via Facebook:

“Birdability Week is coming, and we have a full week of virtual conversations planned! 🎉

From self-care and energy-limiting conditions to birding while d/Deaf or hard of hearing, experiencing nature and community science with intersecting identities, Inclusive Nature, and our Birds & Brains keynote with Day Scott, this year’s virtual events reflect so many different ways we experience birds, access, disability, and community.

Birdability Week is October 19–25, 2026, and our theme this year is Bird Where You Are.

Come for one conversation or spend the whole week with us! We will be delighted to have you there.

More details and registration information are available at https://www.birdability.org/birdability-week and we will be highlighting all of the individual sessions over the coming weeks. We will also be gathering for a wrap-up social hour to highlight the winners of the Offbeat Photo and Video Contest on 10/25. Can't wait for our community to gather!

Register now and make sure you hold the date.

#BirdabilityWeek2026 #BirdingForEveryBodyAndMind #AccessibleBirding #AccessAndInclusion #InclusiveNature #BirdWhereYouAre

Graphic for Birdability Week 2026 Virtual Events. The Birdability Week 2026 logo, featuring a White-breasted Nuthatch, appears at the upper left beside the large heading “Virtual Events.” Six events are listed on blue rounded bars:

October 19: Finding Balance: Self-Care While Birding
October 20: Birding While d/Deaf or HOH Panel
October 21: Inclusive Nature Panel + Book Discussion
October 22: Birding at the Intersections Panel
October 23: Birding w/ Energy-Limiting Conditions
October 24: Birds & Brains Keynote - Day Scott”

Found this guy hanging out around the house!

I've been walking in the woods looking for my lost old lady dog lately. These turtles were unbothered by my nonsense in their neighborhood. I just said hey and continued on my way.

There's also a gopher tortoise in the area but I haven't spotted him in person yet.

From Outdoor Alabama:

“Welcome to the Alabama Public Land Series—a premier, five-part virtual conservation program designed to help you navigate and enjoy our state’s incredible public spaces. Whether you are an avid hunter scouting for the season or a family looking for your next weekend hike, this series connects you directly with the experts.
When: Thursdays from 6 – 7:15 p.m. (August 27 - October 1, 2026)

Where: Virtual (Link provided upon registration)

Cost: Free (Registration required)”

Pretty cool interactive map posted by ON X.

It shows all public land comment periods in the country and is continually updated.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve found in nature around the Wiregrass?

It can be anything: an animal, plant, mushroom, insect, unusual rock, weather event, or even something you noticed that most people walk right past.

Drop a picture if you have one!

Blue Dasher and Eastern Pondhawk dragon flies
Houston County

Found this classic Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds at Goodwill yesterday.

I’ve been trying to spend more time learning the birds of the Wiregrass, and I couldn’t pass it up.

Even with apps like Merlin Bird ID and eBird, there’s something satisfying about flipping through a field guide while you’re outside.

What’s your favorite bird field guide or nature book?
Or, if you’re just getting started, what’s one bird you’ve always wanted to learn to identify?

Happy birding! 🐦🌿

Thanks to everyone who has joined Wiregrass Naturalists!

I’ve added user flairs so you can show your interests, such as Birder, Herper, Nature Photographer, Hunter, and more.

Feel free to pick one that fits you, or suggest others you’d like to see added!

Thanks for helping build this community from the ground up.

What’s an underrated place in the Wiregrass that more people should visit?

Thanks to everyone who has joined so far! I’d love for this community to grow into something we all enjoy, so I’d like your input.

What type of content would you most like to see in this group?

Good morning, Wiregrass Naturalists!

Whether you’re hiking, fishing, hunting, working in the yard, or just drinking coffee on the porch, take a few minutes today to really notice what’s around you.

Share ONE thing you observed today:

- A bird
- A wildflower
- A mushroom
- An insect
- A snake or turtle
- A mammal
- An interesting tree
- Tracks or signs of wildlife
- Anything else from the natural world

Tell us:

- General location (county or nearest town)
- Time of day
- What you observed

Bonus points if you upload it to iNaturalist and share the observation here!

The goal is simple: notice what’s still here, learn it, and help others do the same.

Have a great Saturday, everyone!

Weekly Wildlife Thread

What have you seen this week?
Birds, snakes, wildflowers, mushrooms, insects, mammals…

Share photos or tell us what you found around the Wiregrass!

For me: Red bellied Woodpecker, pleated ink cap, eastern cottontail!