Purple Finch and Pine Siskin invasion
Two species have recently flooded the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic according to list serv reports, accounts from friends and my own personal observations – the Purple Finch and the Pine Siskin. The former has been unbelievably abundant in my experience, often being difficult to go outside for any length of time without seeing one in the past month. The latter, while a bit tougher to spot, has nonetheless zipped by in sizable groups and maintained their nomadic feeding habits. Just how massive are these irruptions in our region? I turned to eBird to find out the truth. Here are both...
Read MoreSnowy Owl sentinel
This Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) sentinel was photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser during last year’s irruption. There have been more Snowy Owls appearing daily in the Midwest and the Northeast. One was seen yesterday not too far from RTPI in Erie, Pennsylvania. None of our staff or colleagues have had the chance to see one yet this fall but we will let you know and hopefully show you one soon if we do. Have you spotted a Snowy this autumn?!
Read MorePennsylvania forest in fall
The Pennsylvania forest in Warren County is a lovely place to hike even when it has such a manufactured feel. It may be hard to imagine at the moment but soon enough we will need snowshoes in many of these areas…
Read MoreBlue Jays on the move?
Whether I have been in New York, Pennsylvania or Connecticut recently it feels like everywhere I turn I see a Blue Jay. Whether it’s one, two, several or more they are filling up every bit of land they can find. I mean this quite literally – every time I walk outside of RTPI it seems as if there are Blue Jays active all over the place. Considering the calendar it occurred to me that we are probably experiencing an influx of migrant Blue Jays. Being such common backyard birds and a widely adaptable species it can be difficult to discern when a Blue Jay movement is taking place. We...
Read MoreGet outside and find Rusty Blackbirds
This gorgeous scene is on the trail at the Akeley Swamp Important Bird Area in Pennsylvania. It is a prime location to find Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus) during migration and October is the right time to spot them. They can be found in wooded wetlands, marshes, ponds and agricultural areas mixed in with flocks of other species like the Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird and Brown-headed Cowbird. If you see any please enter them into eBird! Rusty Blackbirds are one of the fastest declining species in North America and we need all the data and information on them we can get to help...
Read More
