Exposed Nest
The onset of winter always exposes other parts of nature that we may have missed earlier in the year. In this case this looks to possibly be a Baltimore Oriole nest on a tree near a pond. I visited this spot a few times during what would have been the breeding season, but I did not notice them way up there among the leaves. I wonder how successful they were and if all of their nestlings made it out into the world. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreHooded Mergansers
It has been a great autumn for Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) even as we near the end of the season, with all of the above-average temperatures, little ice and rarely seen snow. Courting is well underway for these birds as you can see by the striking black-and-white crests being displayed by the drakes. The several hens present on this pond were mostly preoccupied with trying to take a nap or grabbing a bite to eat. The boys kept swimming after them, vocalizing and trying their best to get some attention. When it comes time to breed these birds will be making their nests in tree...
Read MoreHummingbird Nestlings
Things don’t get much more amazing than baby hummingbirds. The adults are already pushing the limits of morphology, physiology and awesomeness, but when you put all that in a marble-sized package – prepare to have your mind blown! These are likely Violet-headed Hummingbirds as seen in Panama. Supporting RTPI today and every day helps to ensure our Art, Education and Conservation all the way from our headquarters in Jamestown, New York to a tree branch in the rainforest on the other side of the world. Thank you for your help!
Read MoreGood Dog
Zach here is having a good laugh at the notion that dogs like him are native parts of our ecosystem! I mentioned keeping cats indoors last week, once again describing how much damage they can do to our environment and how much pain being exposed to nature can inflict upon them. The same goes for unsupervised and untrained dogs. No one needs to see a puppy chasing a squirrel into the street and getting hit by a car. Dogs that run through the woodlands in summer can crush nests and eggs, sniff out young birds to “play” with or kill, and pick up dozens of ticks while they do,...
Read MoreNorthern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird does not need a mask because its incredible vocal range can turn it into nearly anything imaginable. Depending on where you live Mimus polyglottos may be an uncommon to rare species or a typical neighborhood pest. They have been advancing north in the past several decades, possibly because of development and more favorable habitats and likely thanks to climate change. They are still a scarce bird in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region likely for both of those reasons, as well as our higher elevation. Why the pest, you ask? One day, if you’re fortunate, you may wake up to...
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