Palm Warbler
This pretty little Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) is one of many that passed through our region in the last couple of months, with most now further south than RTPI. Nevertheless, keep an eye out for this glowing yellow birds as we head into December if you want to brighten up your birding day. The habitual tail pumping is sure to help give it away!
Read MoreNovember Supermoon
Whoa! How about that Supermoon, eh? This was the scene near sunset tonight as the moon was pulled out from the remains of the fall foliage. There are all sorts of classifications about how it is the biggest fullest and brightest and so on since this long or until then, and they have honestly all gone over my head. It was a gorgeous sight to see rising up on the horizon, and many millions of people are no doubt staring up at it tonight. If you have not, go do so! Or you can try tomorrow night, but beware of the cloudy conditions that may be blocking the view for parts of the country Monday...
Read MoreTake a Walk
What are you doing this weekend? Why aren’t you going outside for a walk or a hike and soaking in some nature? It is the best medicine.
Read MoreAsters
Some of our latest blooming flowers are the asters, and they are essential for the bees, butterflies and other insects still flying in October and November. Please make sure your yard has nectar and pollen sources from when the snow melts in spring until the first flurries fall in autumn.
Read MoreDiverse Song Sparrows
The Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is such a diverse species despite the fact it seems so plain, brown, simple or even “dull”. Fall migration lets us see so many different subspecies and forms – perhaps up to a couple dozen of the former and several dozen of the latter. Basically, many of the birds end up looking distinct from one another in very subtle ways, and I wish every year that I could better understand their biology. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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