Happy National Bird Day
Happy National Bird Day! I definitely have egg on my face because I did not even realize it was today until a few hours ago. This Eastern Kingbird is a strong representation of how the birds feel about my flighty performance. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRTPI Winter Hours
RTPI Winter Hours The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History starts its winter hours next week when we will be open to the public: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:00am-4:00pm Sundays from 1:00-5:00pm RTPI is still available to be used for special requests, and we offer space for meetings and events. You can find all of the various room usage rates and our policies in this PDF file or below: Please also see our Museum Guidelines & Visitor Policies on this page. Thank you, and we hope to see you soon!
Read MoreWinter Raptor Survey Training January 11
Winter Raptor Survey Training Wednesday January 11th, 2017 @ 6PM Grasslands are amongst the fastest declining habitats in the country, and the bird species dependent upon vast stretches of waist-deep grasses are disappearing at alarming rates. In effort to learn more about these imperiled species within New York State and to protect remaining populations, the Department of Environmental Conservation has been conducting winter raptor surveys—specifically monitoring Short Eared Owls (endangered) and Northern Harriers (threatened). The NYS DEC has also enlisted the help of other environmental...
Read MoreBlack-bellied Plovers
These Black-bellied Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) are roosting on the Stratford Point reef balls that were a part of the living shoreline expansion. This has not been an uncommon sight as long-legged waders, ducks, and other shorebirds (a big flock of Dunlin this past Sunday!) have been spending time resting on them at higher tides. It is only the beginning of the action for this restoration with much planned here for 2017…
Read MoreWhite-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)
Here’s the White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) hummingbird, and this photo by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser shows where their name comes from. He says he has seen five males at one time at the feeders in Costa Rica despite it being “out of range” for species in the area. RTPI President Twan Leenders says the local eBird reviewers give him a tough time about it…thankfully there is photographic proof!
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