I’ve reviewed the past 52 columns and selected 20 questions to challenge you again. My intent is to review with you the information I previously published and to hopefully pique your interest in my future writings and, of course, to get out there to enjoy nature.

The answers can be found at the page bottom, but try not to peek until you’ve completed the exam.

Good luck and enjoy. Happy holidays!

Multiple choice

1. DDT, its use banned in the U.S. in 1972, was thinning the eggshells of _______.

A. ospreys

B. bald eagles

C. peregrine falcons

D. brown pelicans

E. all of these

2. Two oriole species can be seen in our region, the Baltimore oriole and ______ oriole.

A. spotted

B. orchard

C. mountain

D. dusky

3. Often 200 or more years old, _____ trees often stand alone in a field or field border.

A. sentinel

B. dog

C. patriot

D. wolf

4. Golden-crowned and ruby-crowned ______ can both be seen regularly in the Times News coverage area.

A. kinglets

B. juncos

C. warblers

D. thrushes

E. none of these

5. ______ migrate to and overwinter in the forests of Peru and Brazil.

A. red-tailed hawks

B. kestrels

C. broad-winged hawks

D. red-shouldered hawks

True and false

6. Sori holding the spores, are found on the underside of most fern fronds.

7. Wood ducks nest in tree cavities sometimes 50 feet off the ground.

8. Hickory trees, ash trees and sumac species all have compound leaves.

9. The ruffed grouse is being threatened by West Nile virus.

Photo identification

10-20.: Identify photos that appeared in one of this year’s columns.

Answers to 2020 final exam