Scarlet Tanagers video and photos
Following up on the Blackburnian Warblers another bright beacon in the forests of the eastern United States and Canada is the Scarlet Tanager. The bold, “bloody” red of the male is almost too much for a camera like mine to focus on. Handling so much color is difficult even for the most advanced technology and our own eyes do not usually get the opportunity to glimpse them. Though we rarely get to see too much of these canopy dwellers but here are a couple photos and HD video of cooperative birds I have been lucky to enjoy up close. If you hear an odd-sounding American Robin with...
Read MoreChestnut-sided Warbler close-ups
Today while conducting field work for several hours at a few sites in Pennsylvania I enjoyed numerous great looks at Chestnut-sided Warblers. These birds of shrub/scrub habitat and secondary growth are distinctive and beautiful in appearance and song. Whenever I see them now I am reminded of Twan and Sean and RTPI’s work in the tropics. In Costa Rica in the Chestnut-sided wintering range they enjoy watching the birds turn into little “meatballs” as they fatten up for the flight north. In fact a Chestnut-sided Warbler banded in Rara Avis was recaptured twice over a four year...
Read MoreDowntown birds
Can you identify this “urban” bird? It was blasting its song over the main site for the New York State “Special Concern” Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtles in downtown Jamestown this past Sunday! It is not obscured and it is close but this is a difficult angle. Yep, that is actually a Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina)! There was a surprising bunch of migrants at the site and I noted the following: Eastern Kingbird 1 Warbling Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Swainson’s Thrush 1 Gray Catbird 2 Tennessee Warbler 3 Nashville Warbler 4 Common Yellowthroat 1 Cape May...
Read MoreMagnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) by Scott Kruitbosch
The first night of heavy regional migration thanks to a warm front and ensuing southerly flow meant we were flooded with new arrivals like this Magnolia Warbler singing their hearts out early this morning. Our conservation staff was spread across New York and Pennsylvania today completing field work for birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, insects and more. The first of many nonstop busy days this spring and summer was a gorgeous and successful one.
Read MoreMarsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) by Scott Kruitbosch
The clattering of several Marsh Wrens was a pleasant surprise for me today in Jamestown. While not unexpected the species was assuredly absent from my mind this morning until I heard that familiar sound.
Read More
