Horned Lark
Last week I showed you the Horned Lark in a bare field that very much resembled the feathers of its back and wings – brown soil with twigs and roots. Here is the opposite as one fed among a flock of its kind in the snow with only bits of grass and vegetation poking up here and there thanks to the wind and their work at the earth. I thought it was funny and perhaps rather smart when it perched on a rock for a minute. Not only did it get out of the snow but I suppose that is the best kind of camouflage it could now find. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreWinter Raptor Surveys
We are in the heart of the winter raptor survey season, and we need the continued help of citizen scientists like you! The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History is assisting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a third season of wintering raptor surveys in Chautauqua County in 2015-2016. The primary focus of these surveys is to determine where Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus), ‘endangered’ in New York, and Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus), ‘threatened’ in New York, are spending the winter season to roost and feed. So far this winter we seem to have a...
Read MoreHorned Lark Camouflage
This is not exactly the best photo of a Horned Lark ever, but it certainly depicts their unbelievable camouflage. How perfect is this field for a bird with a back like that? Remember that, for the most part, birds – at least those species that possess flight capabilities – do not have to worry about mammals on the ground. This also excludes domestic cats, an introduced creature they are still learning to deal with. Otherwise it is usually very easy to elude mammal predators as a healthy adult bird. How could a red fox or a raccoon sneak up on you in a flock in the middle of an...
Read MoreWhite-throated Sparrow
Here’s a White-throated Sparrow enjoying the low winter sun on a sunny day, one of 72 species seen during my annual hometown Christmas Bird Count yesterday – in our section alone! I’ll show you more of the unexpected, intriguing or beautiful birds we found all week. We did successfully spot the two American Oystercatcher I recently posted about, though in the thick morning fog there were not too many good photos to be had of them or some of the early sightings. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreWinter Raptor Surveys Commence
With the calendar flipping into December we have now entered the winter raptor survey season! The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History will be assisting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a third season of wintering raptor surveys in Chautauqua County in 2015-2016. The primary focus of these surveys is to determine where Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus), ‘endangered’ in New York, and Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus), ‘threatened’ in New York, are spending the winter season to roost and feed. We need your help, too! From December through March please...
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