Red-breasted Nuthatch enjoying pine cones
On the same day that I posted about not seeing many Red-breasted Nuthatches this autumn I went out and immediately saw a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Such is life! I do not need to file a retraction in this case because my overall point remains valid. The species is a resident in many parts of New York and the Northeast but these tiny bundles of joy are found much more frequently in the fall and winter during irruption years where birds move south and often visit bird feeders for the duration of their stay. There are always a number of Red-breasted Nuthatches that migrate to southern quarters....
Read MoreSong Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
Here’s one of the what feels like thousands of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) that I saw this weekend. It’s incredible to see how much they vary from individual to individual, subspecies to subspecies, when you get to see so many migrating through the area. There are apparently 24 recognized subspecies and 52 described forms of Song Sparrows! I wish I had more time to be able to learn how to readily tell them some of them apart. Like that Red-shouldered Hawk this bird thought hiding in the shaded branches of an oak tree would make it invisible to me. Close enough! Sparrow...
Read MoreCommon Green Darners still moving
After a scorching day on Tuesday (OK, in relative mid-October temperature terms) with highs into the 80s in Western New York it is a good time to remember there are still some dragonflies migrating through our region and they are active on such cooperative days. Common Green Darners (Anax junius) are on the move and may represent some of the last green you see this year…or maybe not if they are resting or warming in pine trees like this one. What a summer feel!
Read MoreLeast Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
When seen alone the Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) doesn’t look so small in stature, does it?
Read MoreCedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Cedar Waxwings were suddenly everywhere in the last couple of weeks in WNY, as were blooming apple trees – a perfect combination.
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