I love this time of year. After the exuberance of summer and the vibrant colors of fall, I’m thankful for the days growing shorter. The nights longer. Temperatures falling. Silhouettes of bare branches against a leaden sky promising snow. All of nature winding down. Encouraging quiet. Reflection. Introspection. [more]
WILD AMERICAN SKIES
It was a young Roger Tory Peterson’s close encounter with a Northern Flicker right here in Jamestown which ignited his love for birds. The wild birds of North America were at the heart of his passion for nature and were the impetus for the actions he took to preserve our living world. Venerated for embodying freedom, grace, and beauty in flight, birds inspire a deeper connection with nature and evoke a fascination with exceeding the limits of our earthbound human existence. This summer there are many opportunities to meet and be inspired by...
read moreRTPI Presents Prestigious Birds in Art Exhibit
RTPI will present “Birds in Art” beginning Saturday, July 15th. Varied, mesmerizing perspectives and artistic insights into avian life are featured in the 41st annual “Birds in Art” exhibition. Artwork marvels incorporating vivid colors, remarkable compositions, and striking poses – from whimsical to regal – by some of the world’s most talented artists comprise this year’s “Birds in Art” show. RTPI will feature this exhibition through August 27, 2017. Artists strive to be chosen for the internationally renowned “Birds in Art”, organized...
read moreThe Great Spangled Fritillary!
The Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) and other native butterflies provide added splashes of color on summer days as they flit about our flower gardens, parks and roadsides. Butterflies don’t need much to thrive in our immediate vicinity. As long as you take extra care to plant native flowering plants that provide healthy foods for these animals (rather than non-native ornamental plants that don’t offer such benefits to our insects) and don’t spray pesticides, butterflies will be there to brighten your day (and pollinate your other...
read moreRoger Tory Peterson Institute and Prendergast Library Announce Summer Collaborative Programming
The Prendergast Library and RTPI are pleased to announce their collaborative summer initiatives, focused on the library’s Summer Reading Program and RTPI’s Project Wild America Program. Using the library system’s 2017 theme “Build a Better World”, both organizations will jointly host nature-themed events for library patrons of all ages, as well as offer opportunities to learn about and engage with some of the unusual wildlife that inhabits Jamestown’s backyards and open spaces. From June 27 through August 15, RTPI...
read moreBullfrog Metamorph
It’s the time of year that local green frogs and bull frogs are leaving their watery confines to try a life on land. These large frogs breed only in permanent bodies of water, because they spend several years as a tadpole before metamorphosis. Unlike our vernal pool species, which breed earlier and are leaving their temporary pools before they dry, these species rely on permanent water that allows their tadpoles to overwinter – sometimes several times, depending on latitude. Want to learn more about the frogs in your neighborhood? There are...
read moreRemarkable Recapture
Golden-winged Warblers are among the most imperiled birds in North America. Their numbers have plummeted nearly 70% in the past 50 years, and this species continues to decline at a staggering 2.5% each year. Outside of their core breeding range in the upper Great Lakes Region (mostly Minnesota and Wisconsin) they have just about disappeared altogether, and several northeastern states now no longer have viable populations of Golden-winged Warblers around. What causes these declines? Well, a number of factors play a role here. Golden-winged...
read moreAmerican Oystercatcher
I have been posting a lot about Piping Plovers in our work for the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, so I thought I should give our American Oystercatcher friends some love, too. After all, who doesn’t like their look? Even the average beachgoer takes note of this beautiful bird and its bold bill. Unfortunately a lot of storms and high tides have washed a number of Oystercatcher nests away from our beaches in Connecticut this spring. However, those that lost their eggs have been re-nesting. Our early totals are extremely...
read moreFirst Field Guide Experiences
Do you remember your first experience with a field guide? Steven Brodsky, author of the column “Entertainment, Culture and More” on delcoculturevultures.com, asked this question of several leading biologists (including RTPI’s president, Twan Leenders), and shared their responses in his latest article. Read Steve’s column here: http://delcoculturevultures.com/entertainment-culture-and-more/. And if you find yourself inspired to pick up a new field guide yourself, stop in to RTPI’s Nature Store to browse our extensive selection! Our motto:...
read moreWelcoming Morgan and Becky to PWA
Please join us in welcoming this year’s Project Wild America Youth Ambassador Crew Leaders, Becky Rew and Morgan Motherwell! Becky joins us from Jamestown Community College, where she studied Environmental Science as well. Becky will be transferring to SUNY ESF this fall to pursue Conservation Biology. Morgan participated in PWA last year as a crew member, and has completed her first year at the Rochester Institute of Technology where she is studying Environmental Science. Both of these bright and dedicated young ladies will be leading our...
read moreSwedish Consulate General Visits RTPI
Swedish Consulate General Leif Pagrotsky visited Jamestown, a city rich with Swedish American history, on May 22nd. The Consulate General of Sweden in New York focuses on the promotion of Sweden. This includes coordination and support of events to showcase Swedish culture and promote Swedish interests in the New York area as well as facilitating exchange between organizations, companies and institutions in Sweden and the U.S. Jane Johnson and Linda Pierce were thrilled to have the opportunity to give the Consul General a tour of the Roger...
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