Artist Reception with Neil Rizos 9/22
Join us at RTPI this evening from 5-8pm to celebrate Neil Rizos and his outstanding exhibition now which is now on view. At 6:30, Rizos will deliver a presentation about his art, bird research and travels. This event is free and open to the public. More about the artist and the exhibit at http://rtpi.org/neil-rizos-the-art-of-exploration/
Read MoreRoger Tory Peterson Takes Center Stage at RTPI
Roger Tory Peterson and his enduring legacy are now front and center at RTPI! This remarkable sculpture of Peterson was created by the talented artist, Margret Joy Flinsch Buba (1904-1998). Visit us soon to view the diverse selection of items that are now on display from our special collections including many pieces of Peterson’s original artwork.
Read MoreField Sparrow
Chautauqua County certainly has an abundance of old farm fields, but we should be hearing more Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), and other grassland birds, singing in the fields and other open areas across our region. The prairie habitat that once covered our landscape is long gone, but old, overgrown fields and hay fields provide a decent substitute for grassland birds. Even though their substitute habitat provides most of what these animals need, management practices can be challenges for them. Timing the mowing of these fields is important to protect nesting birds, and cutting in early...
Read MoreAmerican Redstart Changing into Fall Plumage
Many of our migratory birds are on their second or third brood for the season already and slowly are starting to prepare for their journey south. Most flashy warblers molt out of their brightly colored breeding plumage in the next few weeks and will start migration once all flight feathers are grown in to the point that they can safely sustain their long journey. Although we have not quite reached Roger Tory Peterson’s notorious “Confusing Fall Warblers” level of alternate plumage yet, the first signs are here. Even though this male American Redstart still displays its characteristic black...
Read MoreRoot for Rain!
I post this U.S. Drought Monitor map periodically, and most of the time the focus is on a specific region. However, this December looks to be continuing both short and long-term droughts across wide swaths of the country. California’s disaster will need years or longer to heal, but the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains are also seeing some dry areas. The Southeast has turned very dry while our Northeast continues a severe to even extreme drought as well. The Great Lakes are helping our region stay near precipitation averages, but much of the rest of the country seems to be on a tough...
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