Water Merlin
Those falcons sure do love their water! They know that birds are in the open, exposed, sometimes exhausted and usually abundant along bodies of water including oceans, rivers, lakes, swamps and more. At this time of year, with so many birds on the move back to the north, hunting along and over water makes life easier for a falcon like this Merlin, able to snag prey that is already in a foreign place and tired from a long journey across the globe. Clever predator.
Read MoreMagnificent Merlin
This magnificent Merlin certainly looks wonderful on a warm spring morning! I photographed this friendly bird today. I actually saw three of them in total as they are on the move back to their breeding grounds, some of which may be right near us. Last year we had a Merlin nest only a couple blocks from us at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, and others were scattered throughout Chautauqua County. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreStarving Raptors
These photos are of a Northern Harrier on the hunt, swooping over grasslands and fields in search of small mammal prey. While I took these shots mere days ago this type of predatory behavior in itself has been a bit more scarce than usual this winter. Birds of prey, including owls and various hawks, have had a very difficult time finding food during the historically cold and very snowy conditions. Needing more calories than ever to survive in this weather they have had very little to find, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reports there has been a high mortality...
Read MoreMerlin (Falco columbarius)
Last night we held the first meeting of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute Ornithological Club for the 2014-2015 season. Several members mentioned enjoying summer sightings of Merlins with confirmed or all but certain nests in nearby areas of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. We had pair nesting around one minute from RTPI this summer. These noisy falcons are definitely continuing to spread their breeding territory in our local area – keep an eye out for them next year!
Read MoreAmerican Kestrel (Falco sparverius) by Scott Kruitbosch
American Kestrels are patrolling our grasslands at spots like the Chautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport. This one kept me company today while the songs of Eastern Meadowlarks rolled across the land.
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