BioBlitz this Friday-Saturday at SUNY College Lodge
We are only two days away from the blitz! On July 18-19, 2014 experts from across the region will take part in a ‘BioBlitz’ conducted by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History at the SUNY College Lodge Nature Preserve in Brocton. A BioBlitz is a 24-hour race to identify as many species of plants and animals of all kinds on the property and we invite you to join in the fun. Hear from the experts what they are finding or join us for a number of free and public walks and talks about some of the unique and exciting life that can be found on the approximately 200-acre property owned...
Read MoreFour toes, white belly, must be a: Four Toed Salamander!
Hello! I am a female Hemidactylium scutatum, or for those that prefer common names, four toed salamander. My name is quite literal as it refers to the fact that I only have four toes on my hind limbs whereas other amphibians typically have five. I am a member of the Plethodontidae family, so like my relatives I do not have lungs and rely on oxygen exchange through my wet skin. I happily live within moist woodlands throughout New York State, but I’m very secretive and hide myself near swamps, bogs, small ponds or seeps. During the spring, I will move to mossy areas to find a suitable...
Read MoreSpring Amphibians
The past couple of weeks while we have been out surveying migrating birds and spring ephemeral flowers, we have also seen lots of amphibian activity as well. Last week while up at College Lodge, we came across a few very productive vernal pools. The water levels were relatively low, causing a bit of concern that the pools may dry up before the amphibians could develop from tadpoles and larvae to land conquering salamanders and frogs. However, all this week’s rains have filled up the pools nicely, giving more time for the amphibians to develop. Here are a few photos of our findings....
Read MoreApril migrants at the College Lodge
This morning I visited the SUNY College Lodge, a site which you can find in our Natural History Atlas at this link. Our staff is currently conducting a year-long plant and wildlife assessment of the approximately 200-acre property owned and operated by the Faculty Student Association of SUNY Fredonia. My main target today was the beginning of the big push of migrant birds we will be enjoying throughout the region for the next month. Despite the cool weather there are still many species filtering into through the area in late April, as usual. One of the first birds I heard was the...
Read More“Birds, Blooms, Butterflies, and Amphibian Breeders” field trip series
“Birds, Blooms, Butterflies, and Amphibian Breeders” field trip series – April and May 2014 Springtime Field Experiences of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History Co-led by Mark Baldwin and Terry Mosher These field trips are for all levels of experience and are limited to the first 20 who register. The nominal fee of $20 for each trip helps defray the cost of transportation provided. All trips leave promptly from the RTPI parking lot at the start times indicated. To register, call or email Mark Baldwin at 716-665-2473, ext. 228 or mbaldwin@rtpi.org Woodcock, Vernal Pool, and...
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