hen Marta Gouger (our Times News editor) gave me a shot at writing this column, I had no idea it would be continuing this long. That first column was in the spring of 2016. I’ve had fun writing, I’ve felt I was back at teaching a little bit, and especially glad that it gets me outdoors much, much more.

I also still have that “teacher in me,” so why not another test? I’ve penned 52 columns since the last final exam so I did my best to select a few questions and photos from some of them. You won’t receive a letter grade, but I hope my columns were enjoyable and educational enough that you’ve learned a few things and don’t mind being challenged. So, here it goes.

You’ll find the correct answers at the conclusion of the “final exam” and for the photo ID questions I’ve included an answer pool to help tweak your memories a bit. (I threw in a few wrong answers so it isn’t too easy.) Good luck and have a great holiday season and hopefully more time outdoors in 2026.

True/false

1. ____ Almost all our earthworm species are not native to North America.

2. ____ There are no male bees (drones) in a hive in winter.

3. ____ Chipmunks, skunks and woodchucks are all true hibernating animals.

4. ____ Male white-tailed deer (bucks) and male black bears have no part in helping to feed or protect their offspring after they are born.

Multiple choice

5. Most insect species have _____ eyes.

A. 2; B. 5; C. Bette Davis; D. 8; E. 10.

6. The _____ dives feet first, often completely underwater, to catch fish.

A. osprey; B. bald eagle; C. double crested cormorant; D. great blue heron.

7. ______ migrate from our region to areas in and around Argentina for the winter.

A. osprey; B. chipping sparrows; C. barn swallows; D. house wrens; E. all of these.

8. _______ walk headfirst down a tree trunk to find their insect, spider or insect egg food under the tree’s bark.

A. white-breasted nuthatch; B. brown creeper; C. pileated woodpecker; D. common raven.

Answers

1. True

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. B. 5 eyes

6. A. osprey

7. C. barn swallow

8. A. white-breasted nuthatch

ANSWER POOL

Annual cicada, red-tailed hawk, red squirrel, barn swallow, cedar waxwing, red-headed woodpecker, Eastern coyote, tufted titmouse, differentiated grasshopper, Richard Fedor’s Parryville white oak wolf tree, black vulture, common raven, tree swallow, rufous hummingbird, pileated woodpecker, male wood frog, blue jay, belted kingfisher, Northern harrier

ANSWER KEY

1. Tree swallow

2. Belted kingfisher

3. Richard Fedor’s Parryville white oak wolf tree

4. Rufous hummingbird

5. Pileated woodpecker

6. Male wood frog

7. Red squirrel

8. Differentiated grasshopper

9. Eastern coyote

10. Cedar waxwing

11. Northern harrier

12. Common raven

Email Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com