Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Wells
This Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) seems to have been fleeing the scene of the crime! Winter is a good time to walk around and keep your eyes open for signs of birds and other wildlife, like these tightly-packed wells skillfully drilled by the hundreds through the bark of trees – a Sapsucker signature. It seems like there have been more reports of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers visiting feeders than usual this winter, though I admit I do not have data to support that gut feeling. Have you had any at home? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreWhere’s the Snow?!
After above-average to historic snowfall in November it has been a slow late fall and early winter season! Western New York saw some absurd snow totals early in the autumn but it has been tough lately with this latest low pressure system coming over us, the southwest flow dragging temperatures to the 50s, pouring down rain and melting snow. Scenes like these have been difficult to find for many places in the Northeast, but we in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region will be feeling an arctic blast with frigid temperatures coming this week. Snowfall will return thanks to the Great Lakes and a...
Read MoreRed-breasted Nuthatch enjoying pine cones
On the same day that I posted about not seeing many Red-breasted Nuthatches this autumn I went out and immediately saw a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Such is life! I do not need to file a retraction in this case because my overall point remains valid. The species is a resident in many parts of New York and the Northeast but these tiny bundles of joy are found much more frequently in the fall and winter during irruption years where birds move south and often visit bird feeders for the duration of their stay. There are always a number of Red-breasted Nuthatches that migrate to southern quarters....
Read MoreSmoke and fire
Fall foliage can take on so many appearances, especially when combined with the sky above us. This scene has a look of fire and smoke as the leaves continue to change and the sky fills with lake effect clouds in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region while temperatures continue to drop. Autumn has arrived. Be sure you make the time to get outside to enjoy it because it does not last long.
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