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| The competition was stiff for the 2025 Urban Wildlife Guide Creature of the Year Award. From a stellar group of contenders, the judges chose ... tree swallows! Congratulations, and great work this year, swallows! Click here for one of the 2025 tree swallow blogs. Click here for the baby tree swallows of the year. |
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| In the event that tree swallows are unable to fulfill the duties of Creature of the Year, the first runner-up -- the ever-charming goldfinch -- will step in. Well done, goldfinch, and please continue your excellent service as the official state bird of New Jersey. Click on the photos to enlarge. |
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| An honorable mention goes to the Indian pipes in recognition of an unprecedented number of write-in votes. (Possibly the result of a coordinated campaign by the plant lobby.) Click here to visit the 2025 Indian pipes blog. |
