Orange-crowned Warbler
This Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) was a great surprise to see and photograph today after it was found at Stratford Point by my colleague Patrick Comins, Audubon Connecticut’s Director of Bird Conservation. They are an uncommon warbler even in some of the more common parts of their range, and a tough one to find in the Northeast thus far this fall. We were at the office this Saturday morning and afternoon for a staff and volunteer work party to plant more trees, grasses, and shrubs for birds, but the Orange-crowned seemed at home in the mugwort and existing grasslands,...
Read MoreStill Not Spring
It is not spring even though many Clouded and Orange Sulphur butterflies continue flying and feeding on nectar sources like this dandelion. Something that gives away the relative date of this photo is the low sun angle adding light from the side as we are less than two months from the winter solstice. You can also see a little bee mimic fly venturing into the flower, too.
Read MoreYellow-crowned Night-Heron
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is an odd-looking creature, especially when you watch one creeping slowly through the salt marsh or perched high up in a tree. I do not want to add the demonic or monstrous label to them because they are lovable in their own way, but it feels like an appropriately strange species to highlight as we near Halloween. They can be found active throughout the day, but their somewhat secretive crepuscular and nocturnal feeding habits add to that feeling. I took these photos of a bird at a nest site earlier this spring. It was still working on...
Read MoreSavannah Sparrow
The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is another bird pushing south through our grasslands, fields, and farms right now. Look for their brown streaks – likely more thin and broken up than the Song Sparrow – and the distinctive yellow patch of feathers over the eye extending to their small bill.
Read MoreYellow Woodlands
Autumn certainly has a glow going on, but this week has shown us a preview of some of the cold and wet weather to come. Last year’s El Niño kept us far warmer throughout the end of 2015. However, it looks like a weak La Niña will be ready to cover these trees in snow soon enough this winter. That might be a welcome development that helps alleviate the drought in the Northeast while encouraging snow lovers to get out on the trails in our beautiful Chautauqua County. More to come on all soon…
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