Blackburnian Warblers feeding and video
One of the most spectacular warblers in the world is the Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca). They are truly gorgeous little creatures and thankfully here in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region they are abundant in migration and nesting seasons. I have been delighted to see and hear so many of them in the past month, and I am looking forward to spotting them in our neighborhoods, yards, parks, state forests and other preserves until the fall. Twan had this individual in Allegany State Park earlier this month. They are fireballs flitting around our forests in their bright spring colors. Here...
Read MoreDragonflies emerging!
The Western New York dragonfly and damselfly populations really exploded this Memorial Day weekend during a lovely stretch of sun and 70 or 80 degree days. I found them to be emerging just about everywhere I went with suitable habitat. We certainly have plenty of water after the several inches of rain we received in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region in the last couple of weeks which will make it all the better for a productive season ahead. I already mentioned the Dot-tailed Whitefaces emerging in multiple locations. A couple more species I wanted to highlight are the Beaverpond Baskettail...
Read MoreRTPI’s avian archives
RTPI’s extensive archives hold a massive collection of bird study skins. This includes several extinct species as well like the Passenger Pigeon, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Carolina Parakeet, and Bachman’s Warbler. I looked through hundreds of warblers yesterday while I was answering a couple of questions for myself after the busy last few weeks of spring migration. I was struck by this size differential – Prothonotary Warbler vs. Wilson’s Warbler. We “know” their respective sizes but…geez! The Wilson’s Warbler on the right with the black cap...
Read MoreYellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
This was one of 253 Yellow-rumped Warblers I recorded at a single site in Pennsylvania last weekend. Most of them have now moved through as some of the later arrivals, such as Blackpoll Warblers, trickle into our region. After a migratory lull through the weekend we should have one last huge burst next week in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region.
Read MoreMay bird migrants
I’ve spent upwards of 60 hours in the field in the last week with most of my time spent surveying for birds (besides butterflies, dragonflies/damselflies, amphibians, reptiles, plants, you know..basically everything!) and here are more of the photos I’ve taken of a bunch of species. From May 6 to May 10, without trying to accumulate a high count and simply working on specific properties, I saw 141 bird species in Chautauqua County. What were they, you ask? Here’s all of them! Canada Goose Wood Duck Gadwall American Black Duck Mallard Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler...
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