Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)
This Green Frog thought it was hiding from me so very well recently at the SUNY College Lodge…
Read MoreSpring Amphibians
The past couple of weeks while we have been out surveying migrating birds and spring ephemeral flowers, we have also seen lots of amphibian activity as well. Last week while up at College Lodge, we came across a few very productive vernal pools. The water levels were relatively low, causing a bit of concern that the pools may dry up before the amphibians could develop from tadpoles and larvae to land conquering salamanders and frogs. However, all this week’s rains have filled up the pools nicely, giving more time for the amphibians to develop. Here are a few photos of our findings....
Read MoreApril migrants at the College Lodge
This morning I visited the SUNY College Lodge, a site which you can find in our Natural History Atlas at this link. Our staff is currently conducting a year-long plant and wildlife assessment of the approximately 200-acre property owned and operated by the Faculty Student Association of SUNY Fredonia. My main target today was the beginning of the big push of migrant birds we will be enjoying throughout the region for the next month. Despite the cool weather there are still many species filtering into through the area in late April, as usual. One of the first birds I heard was the...
Read MoreSpring projects accelerating
We are about to hit the busiest time of our year as spring and summer field work and active conservation projects go into full swing on the ground in Western New York and nearby areas of Pennsylvania. We are working seven days a week nonstop during these seasons to collect data, conduct research, educate the public and train the next generation of scientists. Here are only some of the major initiatives that are underway at the moment: In 2001 RTPI published a Natural History Atlas to the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region, culminating several years of environmental education work through a matching...
Read MoreCollege Lodge survey
Here’s RTPI Conservation Technician Elyse Henshaw checking for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on an Eastern Hemlock tree (Tsuga canadensis) yesterday at the College Lodge. Our staff is currently conducting a year-long plant and wildlife assessment of the approximately 200-acre property owned and operated by the Faculty Student Association of SUNY Fredonia. Working with SUNY staff and experienced local naturalists RTPI staff is surveying all forms of life in order to create a conservation and management plan recommending best practices for the site. In July 2014 there will be a BioBlitz of the...
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