Fun with Confusing Fall Warblers
As fall bird migrations are now in full swing, I thought it would be fun to see how well you know your confusing fall warblers. We have this little beauty below that can be a little challenging to properly identify. Taking a closer look at the white marking on the wing, the cream-colored stripe above the eye, and the white lower eyelid, what do you think it might be? I’ll give you a hint, while in breeding plumage the males have a lovely slatey blue body and very distinct black face, throat and flanks. They inhabit forest interiors while in their summer breeding grounds and munch on...
Read MorePeepers Peeping
Have you heard the Spring Peepers calling lately? These little frogs seem to be a bit confused as breeding season was over months ago! Although we are entering autumn and the frogs will soon be going into torpor (an amphibian’s form of hibernation), the current conditions closely mimic ideal breeding conditions in the spring. Low overnight temperatures, warm days, more frequent rainfall and a similar photo-period send the signal to the males to belt out their loud, high-pitched peeps in hopes of attracting some females. However, these little males will be disappointed pretty quickly as...
Read MoreHappy Fall
Happy first day of fall! The leaves may still be green but the sun is getting lower and lower, and soon it will be colder and colder. Eventually. I promise. Even if we have such a strong El Niño – the strongest ever recorded? – it will be cold once again! At least we have the beautiful autumn foliage to look forward to and even more birds visiting our yards, both those that will be passing through and others that will be coming to spend the winter with us. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreFall Colors Emerging
Happy 1st day of Autumn! Throughout Western New York and Pennsylvania, the fall colors are just starting to emerge, with some beautiful yellows, faint oranges and reds peaking through the green landscapes. Our recent overnight chills and soaking rains will help boost the vibrancy of the leaves, making for some stellar fall views! Elyse Henshaw Conservation Technician
Read MoreBald Eagle
This Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was one of 36 migrant Bald Eagles recorded at the Boothe Park Hawk Watch on September 20, 2015, breaking our previous daily record of 22 that had been set on September 14, 2014. The next two days in the record books were of 20 Bald Eagles apiece, making it an especially strong Sunday. We have been off to a difficult start considering the record-shattering heat in September, but Osprey have been abundant – in fact, we soared by our yearly record of them already! Bald Eagles have also been strong in numbers overall as both formerly endangered...
Read More
