Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) saying hello
Oh, hello there, Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus). It seems as if there is nothing to see here, yes? The poor little thing was frozen in place while we had a staring contest. I was the first one who blinked, moving ever so slightly, and it dashed back off behind the tree. I hope it did not think it was invisible until then. Either way it was a very cute moment in November nature. I wish it the best for winter season and hope it has a large cache of food to snack on between naps. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreBlack-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) irruption
There have been Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) moving south in very subtle ways for a couple of months now. If you watch migratory hotspots you can sometimes detect their irruption years, especially if that location is not a particularly friendly habitat for the species. I have seen flocks of 10-20 birds tightly packed together and feeding on the move, possibly heading for a feeding station like yours. I always wonder what particular triggers end up notifying a widespread and highly adaptive bird like this one that they should nonetheless change their quarters for the autumn...
Read MoreNorthern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
This tiny bundle of Halloween fear and dread was photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser as he had a very successful night of netting and banding Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) earlier this week in New Jersey. They are definitely on the move well now in the Mid-Atlantic.
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!
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