Saw-whet Owl Banding
Last night RTPI’s Elyse Henshaw joined US Forest Service researchers in their attempts to capture and band migrating Northern Saw-whet owls. Throughout the evening the researchers captured four birds in their mist nets, and subsequently collected data on each individual including physical measurements, age, sex and overall health. Each owl was then outfitted with a uniquely numbered leg band and then released back into the night. If and when these birds are captured again, the data collected contribute to better a better understanding of the movements and ecology of these charismatic little...
Read MoreCorvids in Autumn
This painting by Roger Tory Peterson depicts several corvid species. While you’re not likely to see Gray Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) in the Northeastern United States, Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata), American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and Common Ravens (Corvus corax) can all be found here. Peterson created this image for the 1951 book “Birds of Newfoundland”, by Harold S. Peters and Thomas D. Burleigh of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Peters and Burleigh were commissioned by the Newfoundland government to write the book to be used as a reference in schools, as well as for...
Read MoreSwedish Salamanders?
Ecklof’s Bakery and Deli is one of the last strictly “by scratch” bakeries in Western New York. While the bakery is now in the hands of a third generation of Ecklofs, many of the “Old World” recipes passed down by the founding grandfather when he came to the U.S. from Sweden in 1920 are still being used today! Ecklof’s will be creating salamander-shaped cookies for our Hellbender House Party on Saturday, November 18th. These special cookies will be sold for $2 each the day of the event, and all proceeds will benefit RTPI’s resident hellbenders....
Read MoreEastern Hellbender Plush by Ellen Paquette
This adorable plush Eastern Hellbender, created and generously donated by Ellen Paquette, is just one of several wonderful items that we’ll be raffling off during our Hellbender House Party Fundraising Event on November 18th! Get the details at http://rtpi.org/hellbender-house-party-1118/
Read MoreHellbender House Party 11/18
RTPI will be hosting a special one-day fundraiser to benefit our resident hellbenders, Oneka and Tweeg. In May of 2017, Oneka and Tweeg came to us from the Buffalo Zoo to RTPI to serve as animal ambassadors and help us educate people of all ages about their incredible species. The Buffalo Zoo generously donated the hellbenders’ set-up in order to ensure a smooth transition to RTPI. However, we would like to provide them with a new and improved set-up to give them more room to grow in the coming years and to provide more opportunities for public interaction. Activities include: • An...
Read More
