Brown Thrasher
The Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) was another photographic target of mine this spring. I typically do get to enjoy the species a bit each April and May, but they are difficult subjects to shoot. Part of the problem is that they have dramatically dropped in abundance since Roger Tory Peterson’s time which makes me appreciate moments like these all the more. For a species that was a tolerably common breeding bird for many people, including Roger’s homes in New York and Connecticut, is now often a ghost in both behavior and population. Habitat loss and degradation, competition with...
Read MoreChipping Sparrow
This is a Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), one of a few of the species I observed and photographed this past Thursday. The early spring sparrow migrants continue to pour through the region with dozens and dozens of Savannah Sparrows dominating any grasslands, fields, farms and open areas. The Eastern Towhees are calling out from shrub and scrub patches, yards, feeding stations and power line corridors. Winter friends like White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos are starting to wrap up their pushes north for the breeding season. The Field Sparrows have returned to nest right where...
Read MoreMourning Dove
This Mourning Dove was doing what many birds had been recently – hanging out in the warm sun wondering why it was so cold again! But those days are over as we accelerate with rapid nesting and hope that temperatures stay away from the freezing mark or anything near it. What sort of nests and eggs do you have in your yard already?
Read MoreBlue-winged Teal Pair
Here is a shot of that shy Blue-winged Teal pair that was hanging around – if you two would like to stay in the area and build a nest, by all means! The price is right and we could use a lovely couple like you in the neighborhood. I wish they would swim a little more towards me instead of away, like all the ducks seem to enjoy doing…still, they’re a beautiful pair, and there will be a lot more green springing up around them after a weekend like this one. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreTurkey Vulture Soaring
It is going to be a great weekend to get on the move under the bright spring sun in clear, deep blue skies. Birds like this Turkey Vulture will be soaring over the lands of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region and more songbirds will be heading back to their breeding grounds. Go out and see what’s up!
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