Black Swallowtail
After a long, cold and snowy winter it has taken a bit of time for the first Lepidoptera to start to emerge, but we are off! We will definitely be showing you more of the butterflies and moths we spot over the next several months. Here we have the Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) enjoying those “weeds”, also known as early season sources of nectar and pollen for our insects. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreWelcome Back, Chippy!
A big welcome back to this Eastern Chipmunk! It feels like it has been years since we have seen any of your kind in these parts…
Read MoreEastern Phoebe Wet & Cold
This Eastern Phoebe is wet and cold today, and I had to crank up the ISO to get a recognizable photo of it in these dreary and foggy conditions. You can also see the snow on the ground behind the bird as we continue to have cover throughout the region. Even though it feels like a “warm” day we are still below our normal temperatures. Despite that the southerly flow has brought in migrants like this one. Have you had your Phoebe yet? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreDaffodil Buds
Here we can see some daffodil buds fighting their way through the earth, emerging from the leaf litter despite the snow still present around them. More snow may end up coming down on our early flowers in the next couple of weeks. What is popping up in your yard at this point in the spring? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreAmerican Woodcock in March Snow
I was delighted to find this American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) feeding in the exposed leaf litter and mud thanks to the warm, flowing spring and expansive wetlands in my yard today after about six more inches of snow fell yesterday and early this morning. Note the muddy end of this shorebird’s bill showing it had been busy foraging throughout the day in this video… …and the photos below: This well-known spring species dances on the ground while foraging and in the sky while courting every March, though this year the displays may be a little later than usual. The sun is so...
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