Morning Dark-eyed Junco
Do you have your Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) back in your yard yet? I recently photographed this little returning bird with the early morning eastern sun lighting it up nicely. These variable feeder friends are moving through now after most other avian migration has wrapped up for the year. Soon enough it will be the Fox Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows, even if it does not feel like it with all of this warm weather…get your seed ready now, and keep watching for November rarities at home. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreWinter Raptor Surveys
The Harriers have arrived! This is a migrant Northern Harrier hunting over coastal grasslands in November. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History will be assisting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for a third season of wintering raptor surveys in Chautauqua County in 2015-2016. The primary focus of these surveys is to determine where Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus), ‘endangered’ in New York, and Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus), ‘threatened’ in New York, are spending the winter season to roost and feed. We need your help,...
Read MoreCommon Buckeye
You can still find butterflies like the Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) even here in November. This individual was sunning itself on a cool morning, still looking like those wings are in great shape in late autumn. Our science and conservation staff surveys and records butterflies across a multitude of sites in New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, helping to increase the knowledge of range and abundance for certain species, discover early or late individuals pushing the boundaries of flight seasons, and adding layers information on the biodiversity at important locations. We also work to...
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...
Read MoreDark-eyed Junco
It’s that time again! One of everyone’s backyard favorites, the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), is on the way south. These cute little birds are returning to yards like yours now if you are not one of the lucky few to have them year-round. Their autumn arrival, along with that of the White-throated Sparrow, is one of the first big signs of fall to me each October. I look forward to spending six months with friends like this. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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