Orchard Oriole
This adult male Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) is a Stratford Point resident, deftly avoiding our cameras for the most part while feeding mostly in the canopy. Occasionally he drops down closer to eye level, and he has been seen copulating with our resident female. It is likely that we will once again have a nesting pair on site. The family grows up quickly though, and even by the end of July this guy may be heading back to Central America. When they are not vocalizing they can be surprisingly inconspicuous. This is probably the best time of year to get some good views of them without...
Read MoreSnake Caterpillar?
While transferring photographs from my recent Panama trip onto my computer, another quick pick jumped out at me. This large caterpillar was found by Dave Huth on our first night in Cocobolo Nature Reserve and the longer I watched it, the more its resemblance to a snake blew me away. The indication of scales in just the right places, spots suggesting nostrils, even the white ‘catchlight’ in its fake eyes…and it moves in just the right ways too! I know my Central American snakes pretty well, but even a cursory glance at this caterpillar tripped all sorts of alarm bells in my...
Read MoreWhite-tailed Kite Hovering
It won’t be long until RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser will be heading back to the tropics for another wintering season of awesome research and field work in Central America. Later on in the season RTPI President Twan Leenders will be traveling once again as well as the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History continues its truly global art, education and conservation work. This is a White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus), one species that I will be jealous of them getting to see. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreDickcissel Banded
Last month I was happy to find a Dickcissel (Spiza americana) in the field as one of my autumn migration highlights, and even more thrilled to have it be so cooperative for photos. RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser actually netted a Dickcissel while banding! It turned into quite the celebrity at Audubon Greenwich with everyone stopping to take a gander at the migrating vagrant. It was only the fourth of fifth record for the Audubon Greenwich site. Sean sees them in Central America, though it was actually his first time catching one and he believes the first time seeing one in the U.S. Scott...
Read MoreRTPI in FrogLog
RTPI tropical frog research is in the news today! Many of you are likely aware of RTPI’s research, education and conservation efforts focused on our region’s flora and fauna. If you regularly visit this page or our website, then I’m sure you have also read about our work elsewhere – such as the coastal bird conservation and outreach efforts we carry out with our partners from the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds in CT. But you may not be aware of the important work RTPI does with critically endangered amphibians in Central America. RTPI is a partner...
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