Rusty Blackbird Blitz 2015 – Areas of Interest
As a follow up to this recent blog entry here is an important link to the Areas of Interest for the Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz 2015. These locations had large flocks of Rusty Blackbirds present during the 2014 spring migration and should definitely be monitored in 2015. Undoubtedly there will be more areas added thanks to new discoveries by citizen scientists in 2015, but this provides a great road map and a way to be sure we check out the best hotspots this spring. At the very least it serves as a way to find Rusty Blackbirds near you.
Read MoreSnowmobile Map
It’s official! Hunting season is over and opening day of the snowmobiling season is upon us. Although we are patiently waiting for more snow to arrive and trails to open, we are busily putting the finishing touches on our “Nature at Your Fingertips” Snowmobile Cell Phone Tour. This year our tour stops will be easy to find thanks to the Snowmobile Clubs of Chautauqua County for including them onto the county snowmobile trail map. Stay tuned for more updates on the tour and we hope you enjoy it this winter season!
Read MoreCommon Redpolls coming
Common Redpolls are starting to arrive further south as we hit the beginning of meteorological winter (December 1-February 28/29). Here is one bird enjoying a little snow snack as well as the eBird range map of sightings for the species for October through December, 2014. Hold on to your socks! Or fill them with thistle seed and put them out for the birds…
Read MoreSnowy Owl eBird Map 11/24/14
Here is the Snowy Owl eBird map for August through November as of Monday morning, November 24, 2014. Additional birds seem to have moved into already busy areas in the central flyway, Great Lakes region and the Atlantic Coast. A few edged down the eastern seaboard making their way onto Long Island, into Delaware and Maryland. The last week of November is usually a very good time to see them, even during years with little to no broad or significant irruption of the species. Good luck!
Read MoreSnowy Owls spreading south
In the past week, since I posted this entry about another possible irruption, more Snowy Owls have moved in to southern Canada and the United States. One bird was found and photographed by Michele Rundquist-Franz, President of the Presque Isle Audubon Society, in Erie, Pennsylvania, not too far from us at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History in Jamestown, New York. Local excitement went up another level this weekend as two Snowy Owls appeared here in our own Chautauqua County on Saturday, November 15, both at the Dunkirk Airport. The first was found in the morning by our...
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