First Species of 2015
What was your first bird of 2015? The Blue Jay was my #1 New Year species. It is definitely a repeat winner given that their screaming and screeching calls can be heard indoors with the windows closed – I did not even have to get out of bed! Thanks for all too typical “alarm”, guys and gals! Are you planning on a “Big January” to see how many species you can find? If you have yet to decide on a birding game plan for 2015 I would definitely recommend trying a geographical challenge and largely restricting yourself to birding in your own town or city. You will end...
Read MoreHappy New Year!
Happy New Year to all our friends! We hope you have a sensational 2015. On the last day of 2014 please help make our wonderful past year all the better! As the sole official steward of Roger Tory Peterson’s wondrous legacy RTPI connects people with nature through Art, Conservation and Education. Your gifts support our continuing mission to teach, conserve birds and wildlife, and embrace the natural world, keeping Roger’s vision alive. Thank you and please visit us soon!
Read MoreYear-end Gift to Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Dear Friends of RTPI, Just before Christmas when snow and cold started to slow down our natural history studies at home, we shifted gears and started our seasonal work in the tropics. Have you ever wondered where our summer birds spend the holidays? Well, here are a few highlights of what we are finding at the RTPI-supported Nicoya Peninsula Avian Research Station (NPARS) in northwestern Costa Rica.
Read MoreExpect the Unexpected
Winter Birding Forecast #2 is brought to you by Audubon Connecticut in partnership with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. The relatively mild December is making for great birding opportunities as we close out 2014. So called “half-hardy” birds such as Gray Catbird, Pine Warbler and Common Yellowthroat are putting in appearances on Christmas Bird Count (CBC) checklists and birds like Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren and Eastern Bluebird are being found in good numbers as are Yellow-rumped Warblers at some coastal locations. One of the biggest surprises of the week was the...
Read MoreAmerican Coot (Fulica americana) in the rain
This American Coot (Fulica americana) was photographed earlier this week, not trying to dodge any of the drops while displaying its waterproof winter coat. We have had to wear our waterproof jackets frequently lately as much of the Northeast has been targeted with a lot more rain than snow. We currently have a couple of unseasonably warm and sunny days on tap which at least provide a great excuse to get outdoors to enjoy the winter wonders of nature with family and friends. By this time next week the temperature will have dropped and we may be thinking about snow to start off 2015. We all...
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