American Kestrel Female
This female American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) perched on the wire just long enough for me to take a shot while we looked each other in the eye. She is a March migrant, one of many raptors on the move to the north every day now. She will be hunting slowly melting grasslands and fields under the soon to be spring sun. Do you have any American Kestrel nest boxes erected on your large open property or farm? Now is the time to get them up or cleaned. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSavannah Sparrow Up Close
This Savannah Sparrow would certainly rather be in the grasslands and farm fields than stuck to the pavement. Unfortunately for the bird at the moment, and often for the species in the winter, those favored habitats are covered in a very deep layer of snow and ice. Instead it feeds on any exposed seeds it can find in these grasses, just like other birds I have photographed and shown you lately. It is not an easy life but it may be easier and safer overall than migrating far to the south and having to return in a couple of months. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreHorned Larks
I have had a great time seeing Horned Larks lately after striking out on them for all of the past autumn and and most of this winter in Connecticut. After having success this past week I ended up taking many photographs of birds feeding on edges and in snow-covered grasslands in Stratford, and I wanted to share a bunch of them with you all in a slideshow of sorts below. Here were a bunch of birds feeding on the edges in the roadways and exposed areas. Unfortunately there was one recently-deceased individual, the body still warm. Fortunately for science and research Patrick Comins, Audubon...
Read MoreWintering American Kestrels
One species you may spot even if you strike out on finding a Snowy Owl is the American Kestrel, a bird of open fields and grasslands that will favor much of the same inland habitats. Like other falcons (and the Snowy Owls, again) you can also spot it while at the shore, feeding on rodents or avian migrants. They are small, fast raptors, usually wary of humans. If you spot a Kestrel while driving a quiet road like this one and do not get out of your vehicle you may be able to get a nice look before it dashes off after a small bird or mammal.
Read MoreAmerican Pipit (Anthus rubescens) in HD
Right now the migrating American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) can be found on farms and fields in areas such as Chautauqua County to the shores of Lake Erie or the Atlantic Coast. You may see one individual or you may see dozens. This HD video shows how much they as a species enjoy bobbing their tails. It may be a “drab” bird due to its preference for open areas but it certainly has an understated zest.
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