Cliff Swallow Nests
These Cliff Swallow nests are empty after a successful summer breeding season. They are often colony nesting birds, and these are actually on the underside of the Washington Street bridge right here in Jamestown, New York. This is a good example of a species that utilizes the urban environment we have created. Peregrine Falcons are another bird that would have been found on open cliffs that now nests on the ledges of our skyscrapers. While they would be hunting pigeons, starlings and sparrows, the Cliff Swallows can be found feeding on insects in the Chadakoin River habitat below the bridge...
Read MoreWildLife Guards Working
It is hard to believe, but yesterday was the final day of the eight week season for our Bridgeport WildLife Guards! In case you missed previous blog entries and posts, RTPI teamed up with Audubon Connecticut and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut to run the 2015 WildLife Guards program, which trained, mentored, and employed ten local high schools students and two crew leaders who monitored nesting birds and engaged visitors, families, and friends about the City’s Pleasure Beach and its ecosystem. The WildLife Guards offered unique activities for children like making their own Piping...
Read MoreTagged Horseshoe Crab
I found this deceased Horseshoe Crab at Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Pleasure Beach in June. As you can see it has a large tag on it from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Here along the Connecticut coast Sacred Heart University is studying the Horseshoe Crab through Project Limulus. This effort monitors populations, helps to track individuals by tagging, seeks to better understand their biology, and works to aid the spawning process by protecting the species and educating the public. Learn more by visiting their website! I reported this individual, a male, which I was told was first...
Read MoreWildLife Guards in Action
Have you visited Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Pleasure Beach? If you are a birder, butterfly lover, or all-around naturalist, we encourage you to stop by soon via the water taxi! Getting to Pleasure Beach is easy with free parking at the water taxi pier lot, 91 Seaview Avenue, Bridgeport. The water taxi will bring visitors to and from Pleasure Beach, and is also free. While there you can enjoy our WildLife Guards program, which trains, mentors, and employs ten local high schools students and two crew leaders to monitor nesting birds and engage visitors, families, and friends about...
Read MoreBaby Spiders
I am sorry in advance to those who do not enjoy spiders, but I had to snap a shot of this! Now THAT is a lot of mouths to feed…at least try to remember that all of these spiders will be eating the bugs that actually do bite us. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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