Signs here, there and everywhere
It’s always a pleasure to see some natural history on display in very public areas where you may not expect it. This Connecticut sign discusses the ever-important Housatonic River Watershed today all the way to its history dating back 21,000 years. Good job by Sikorsky, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Merritt Parkway Conservancy and the Housatonic Valley Association. You’re going to find many more and very visible signs by RTPI in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region soon that act as a unique, engaging gateway to education…stay tuned.
Read MoreMonarch caterpillar
Monarch butterfly caterpillars like this one have been seen in higher than typical numbers, compared to recent years, in some areas. However, others in the region have told me they have seen a total of zero. It seems to be a year of dissenting data. Even last week at a meeting of naturalists from across the Chautauqua-Allegheny region we had some people excitedly reporting improved Monarch numbers while others dolefully spoke of few or none. The butterflies continue to be seen here and there and you should keep an eye out for them during this migratory period. I will be surveying the shores...
Read MoreHalloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina)
After a lot of cool weather with lows into the 40s at night at times and yet more rain here in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region we seem to be between populations for a lot of insects. The calendar is also shifting the species in our yards. This current warm-up should allow another big emergence soon. Get out there and find some stunning sights like this Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina).
Read MoreGreen Heron (Butorides virescens)
All of the rich waterways of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region often offer favorable habitat to Green Herons (Butorides virescens) and it will not be long until juveniles will be found among the many pairs of breeding birds.
Read MoreBlack-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)
Today was utterly magnificent in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region in terms of weather plus quality and quantity of birds. I had 28 species of warblers like this Black-throated Blue Warbler…28, today! The diverse habitats and large expanses of preserved lands make this a very significant and welcoming area for migrants. I’ll show you more of them all week.
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