Snowy Owl in Dunkirk, New York
This tremendous photo of a Snowy Owl at Wright Park Beach in Dunkirk, New York was taken this morning by our friend Gale VerHague. She used a basic point and shoot camera showing how easily we can safely photograph these birds from a distance thanks to a good zoom, especially if you have a scope. Giving them space is important so that they can rest during the day and hunt at night – in this case, likely waterfowl on Lake Erie. It is all the more necessary when, as Gale told me, birds like American Crows have honed in on the raptor as they were harassing this individual. Please try to...
Read MoreNorthern Saw-whet Owl movement continues
If you are anywhere in New England or the Mid-Atlantic it is a great time to be watching for Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus). You will not likely find them like this as it is a photo RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser took while netting and banding more of the species on the move through New Jersey. Nevertheless, you cannot win if you do not play! Take a look at any dense vegetation you come across as they are often near our eye level. They frequently choose evergreen trees to roost in and will stay buried between thick branches or near the trunk. Of course you can always rely on...
Read MoreGroundhog (Marmota monax)
It is about to turn into a very chilly weekend for us in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region after a week of warm temperatures and a lot of sun. This Groundhog (Marmota monax), or whatever else you prefer to call the rodent among its many names, has to be in a hurry to eat all it can now. The species is always highlighted when they come out of hibernation to “predict” the end of the winter and early spring seasons. However, if you watch them in autumn you will see a lot of activity out of the increasingly fatter individuals as they prepare to hibernate. A good “night” to...
Read More
