Late Lady
This American Lady was a lovely mid-November sight earlier this week, basking in the sun on a still warmer than average afternoon. You can see what month it is by how low that sun angle is striking the butterfly, casting a long shadow as the days continue to get shorter and darker. Are you still seeing any lepidoptera out there? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreGray Ghost
The past week yielded a very large push of migrant Northern Harriers throughout the Northeast, with a sizable percentage of these birds being gray ghosts – adult males – like this one. The strong north and northwest winds following this current cold front should help many more migrants come through our area in the next few days. Will there be more southern and western November rarities with them? Probably, so keep an eye out for everything from the Swainson’s Hawk to the Townsend’s Warbler. Don’t forget we are only a couple weeks away from December 1 and the...
Read MoreMonarch Beauty
We are winding down Monarch migration for the 2015 season, as individuals filtering through to the south now are in for a very difficult journey to Mexico. This late and beautiful butterfly was really in crisp and lovely shape, showing off the gorgeous Halloween colors while feeding. I hope he will be one of the lucky ones to make it all the way to the wintering grounds. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreAmerican Lady
This American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) butterfly still looks magnificent here in October, basking in the warm rays from the sun while feeding along with several others. It certainly has a seasonal feel with some Halloween shades, too. What a wonderful sight.
Read MoreAtlantic Brant
Songbirds are not the only flying objects on the move right now. All of this cold and now freezing weather will really push the waterfowl flights to get underway. Here you can see some Brant (Branta bernicla) geese flying by some still simmering fall foliage a few days ago. Thousands of the species are now migrating along with others like the Common Loon, Red-breasted Merganser, White-winged Scoter, Greater Scaup, Green-winged Teal, and plenty more. Wherever you are, look up! You may spot a very high flying waterbird or a sizable skein (flock in flight), even inland.
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