flying | The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

Helpful jumping spider

Posted on Oct 18, 2014

This jumping spider seems like it is ready to pounce! And look at those eyes…they are not targeting you, though. Let’s thank it for being so helpful and grabbing all the flying insects we do not want in our homes that are far more likely to bite us.

Identify this silhouette at a distance

Posted on Aug 19, 2014

I spotted this bird at RTPI today from a distance without binoculars and knew its identity immediately. Standing in our garden I could see the basic silhouette and how it had positioned itself. Those two clues plus the date should help you determine the species as well. Any ideas? If you do not want to know the answer don’t keep reading…did you figure it out yet? It’s…an Olive-sided Flycatcher! I had one of the uncommon southbound migrants last August as well but it was my first of 2014. I watched it feeding for a while as I looked for butterflies, the bird grabbing...

Common Terns feeding young

Posted on Jul 20, 2014

We are getting to the hungry season with young birds of all sorts begging for food from their busy and tired parents. You have probably seen this happening in your yard for a couple of months. We are now into the season for waterbirds like the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) to be doing the same. Check out this video of a juvenile Common Tern begging for more even after an adult delivers a sizable meal! The squeaky wheel, it turns out, does indeed get the grease. Or the fish. Here are some photos of the foraging and feeding in action. That hungry little one was unhappy and then happy rather...

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) by Scott Kruitbosch

Posted on Apr 16, 2014

Hello again, winter! This brutal snap back to frozen precipitation and frigid air is difficult on birds like this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea). Their wheezing call is a big sign of spring to me but today…I wish them and other insect-eating birds not accustomed to this all the luck in the world.