Swallow Swarm
These Tree Swallows are hurriedly heading to the south as freezing temperatures take away their prey. Aerial insectivores really have to keep it moving and find sheltered spots that can maintain an insect population despite frigid weather conditions if they are not on the immediate coast or at large bodies of water. We still have some time before it becomes a real problem, but flocks of hundreds of birds had better keep on migrating. It certainly isn’t getting any easier.
Read MoreRed Admiral Feeding
The Red Admiral butterfly parade continues! Many have been pouring through the north, and are often noted as having been a primary Purple Martin food source this summer with bits of them left at gourd colonies. This individual paused for a moment and actually allowed me to snap off a shot as many typically have been flying by me without a second look. This sort of flight year really does help our aerial insectivores, a good example of the importance of our food web from bottom to top. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MorePurple Martins (Progne subis)
Placed along a number of yards and marinas along Chautauqua Lake, these gourds create little neighborhoods for a number of nesting Purple Martins (Progne subis). During the breeding season, Purple Martins will take up residence in these man-made houses to safely nest and raise their young. As the little ones begin to hatch and grow, both the male and female will collect bug food to bring back to them. These large aerial insectivores are incredibly acrobatic and able to turn on a dime in order to pursue a fleeing insect. This summer season, no bug will be safe while the Purple Martins are in...
Read MoreWired world of swallows
Sometimes I think the swallows would hate a wireless world most of all. Tree, Barn, Northern Rough-winged, Bank, Cliff and a Purple Martin or two can still all be seen trying to head south. Aerial insectivores have to go where the food is flying or they’ll be in deep trouble. We need to rely more on them to clean our skies rather than chemicals which harm us all.
Read MoreEastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) by Scott Kruitbosch
Aerial insectivores, birds that feed on insects primarily by capturing them in flight, have been migrating south rapidly. The very vocal Common Nighthawks that nest in downtown Jamestown have departed. Species like this Eastern Kingbird have been recorded in high numbers lately as they move through.
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