Redhead (Aythya americana) by Twan Leenders
We’ve been posting so many banded birds from Costa Rica and Panama that will head to the U.S. soon and I thought it appropriate to post a banded individual (not by us!) that winters here. This Redhead (Aythya americana) recently allowed Twan to read four of the ten digits on its band, not quite enough to be able to find its origins.
Read MoreLong-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) by Scott Kruitbosch
There’s a reason for the name Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), one that does not need any explanation. This was one of two individuals at Dunkirk Harbor (on Lake Erie, NY) today along with thousands of other waterfowl of a couple dozen species. Bald Eagles perched on the ice and flying overhead keep them all very attentive. It’s a spectacle.
Read MoreWaterfowl identification quiz
In this very cold winter season we have been finding a lot of waterfowl concentrated in any areas with open water. As ice takes over nearly every pond, creek, river or lake – even much of the Great Lakes – these birds have to find a hole in these blocks or move to the south. This bird was one of thousands of gulls, ducks, loons, grebes, scoters and more in an unfrozen patch of Lake Erie. Can you identify it? You can barely see the bird’s eye as it rests with bill tucked in. Examine the color patterns on the head, neck, breast, wings and body while looking at the overall...
Read MoreCanvasback (Aythya valisineria) by Twan Leenders
The bright and deep red eyes of the Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) are really something to see (no pun intended) up close like this. After such a cold winter for much of the U.S. it’s a great time to check your local ponds and lakes for any open water to enjoy respectfully close views of ducks, geese, gulls, loons, grebes and more. This bird was on Lake Erie yesterday. More snow and cold air will keep waterfowl moving in the next week.
Read MoreCold and snowy end to November
I do not need to tell anyone in the western New York or even Great Lakes region about how cold it has been in the last couple of weeks considering it is November! As of yesterday Buffalo has been -2.0 °F so far this month compared to long-term climate averages while Erie comes in at -3.0 °F, Rochester -1.6 °F, and Watertown -1.5 °F, all despite having had some strong surges of warmth heading into the 60s at a couple points in November. This is Barcelona Harbor in Westfield and its weather station beginning to freeze up. This blast of arctic air also led to both lake effect and synoptic scale...
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