Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)
Check out one of my favorite pictures from this week’s surveys. And in case you are wondering why this Blackburnian Warbler is eating a stick – look closely… (hint: it is NOT a stick). Hope you get to enjoy some of these spring beauties up close and personal as well.
Read MoreSpring projects accelerating
We are about to hit the busiest time of our year as spring and summer field work and active conservation projects go into full swing on the ground in Western New York and nearby areas of Pennsylvania. We are working seven days a week nonstop during these seasons to collect data, conduct research, educate the public and train the next generation of scientists. Here are only some of the major initiatives that are underway at the moment: In 2001 RTPI published a Natural History Atlas to the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region, culminating several years of environmental education work through a matching...
Read MoreSnow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) by Twan Leenders
Are you participating in a Christmas Bird Count sometime in the next month? Our local counts are this weekend with tomorrow in Warren, PA and Sunday in Jamestown, NY. It’s always a great time to get the whole family outside. Even if the terrain is frigid and covered in white you can still enjoy seasonal birds like this Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis).
Read MoreBats and White-nose Syndrome
On the day after Halloween as we move closer towards winter I thought it would be appropriate to talk about one of the holiday’s most emblematic creatures – the bat. Some are facing a possible extinction level event due to White-nose Syndrome which is killing several hibernating species in the northeast U.S. and spreading across the country rapidly. Most people know that bats hibernate in caves (thanks Batman), and each hibernaculum can have tens of thousands of bats or more. Even with these high numbers there are mortality rates nearing 100% in some locations! This USFWS graphic...
Read MoreBaltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) by Twan Leenders
We’re getting closer to Halloween, and here’s another butterfly that fits the season well even if it’s not flying anymore! The Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) is such a stunning creature. This one is from Titus Bog in Pennsylvania this summer.
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