Boutwell Hill State Forest
While August is the last full month of summer, it’s not too late to go out and enjoy a walk through the local state forests, such as Boutwell Hill State Forest pictured here and a RTPI Natural History Atlas site. Many late summer flowers can be seen in bloom as well as a variety of birds flitting through the trees. So get out while the weather is warm, pick a trail and take a hike!
Read MoreVisiting Little Rock City
It’s long trip along winding country roads to get to Little Rock City. Try putting 7238 Hungry Hollow Road, Salamanca, New York into your GPS or Goggle maps app. That’s the last address I saw before making a right turn onto Little Rock City Road. There is no sign for Little Rock City Road. A state worker taking a break at the intersection assures me that I was headed in the right direction. At the end of the road is a cul-de-sac where you park. There is a DEC sign that indicates there are trails somewhere but it is not clear where. I follow the advice of that state worker and explore the...
Read MoreSilver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
There have been more Silver-spotted Skippers (Epargyreus clarus) out and about at many locations recently including Natural History Atlas sites to gardens. Butterfly diversity has increased in our experience in the last few weeks in our region while overall abundance remains rather low. What about you and your area?
Read MoreLate Summer Toadlets
This past week we visited another Natural History Atlas site, Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area, to survey for a diversity of species and update our past information about the site. While we were out exploring and recording the species we came across, we noticed a number of tiny American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), or toadlets, hopping across the trail. Only about half an inch long, these little toads were recently metamorphosed from nearby ponds and pools. These amphibians waste no time at all, as it only takes them about 1-2 months to go from a gelatinous egg to a free swimming...
Read MoreEastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Elyse and I spent most of today conducting field work at one of our Natural History Atlas sites. Birds are mostly quiet at this time of the year as they are feeding young everywhere. Butterflies and other pollinators were present in low but diverse numbers offering lovely views like this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on another gorgeous September-like July day.
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