October Orbweavers
It’s ‘Meet Your Neighbours Monday’! With the arrival of autumn, you are likely to notice a distinctive suite of spiders around your home. The species shown here is the Marbled Orb Weaver (Araneus marmoreus). The appearance of spiders like this one during the month of October has earned their group the nickname “Halloween spider”. Orb Weavers come in several different colors and patterns, so you might say that they wear a variety of costumes! Marbled orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus) photographed by Twan Leenders.
Read MoreArtist Reception with Neil Rizos 9/22
Join us at RTPI this evening from 5-8pm to celebrate Neil Rizos and his outstanding exhibition now which is now on view. At 6:30, Rizos will deliver a presentation about his art, bird research and travels. This event is free and open to the public. More about the artist and the exhibit at http://rtpi.org/neil-rizos-the-art-of-exploration/
Read MoreScott Shalaway – Nature Writer and Bird Biologist – to Visit RTPI
Scott Shalaway, Ph.D. is a certified wildlife biologist, ornithologist, birder, and nature writer. He holds degrees in entomology (University of Delaware), biology (Northern Arizona University), and wildlife ecology (Michigan State). Shalaway has written a weekly nature column for newspapers (including Jamestown’s Post-Journal where it appears every Saturday) since 1986, and has hosted a weekly nature-themed radio show entitled Birds and Nature since 1992. On Wednesday, September 27th, Shalaway will be in the Jamestown area to deliver a series of nature-themed programs. At 7pm, Shalaway...
Read MoreRoger Tory Peterson Takes Center Stage at RTPI
Roger Tory Peterson and his enduring legacy are now front and center at RTPI! This remarkable sculpture of Peterson was created by the talented artist, Margret Joy Flinsch Buba (1904-1998). Visit us soon to view the diverse selection of items that are now on display from our special collections including many pieces of Peterson’s original artwork.
Read MoreField Sparrow
Chautauqua County certainly has an abundance of old farm fields, but we should be hearing more Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), and other grassland birds, singing in the fields and other open areas across our region. The prairie habitat that once covered our landscape is long gone, but old, overgrown fields and hay fields provide a decent substitute for grassland birds. Even though their substitute habitat provides most of what these animals need, management practices can be challenges for them. Timing the mowing of these fields is important to protect nesting birds, and cutting in early...
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