Winter Raptor Survey Training January 11
Winter Raptor Survey Training Wednesday January 11th, 2017 @ 6PM Grasslands are amongst the fastest declining habitats in the country, and the bird species dependent upon vast stretches of waist-deep grasses are disappearing at alarming rates. In effort to learn more about these imperiled species within New York State and to protect remaining populations, the Department of Environmental Conservation has been conducting winter raptor surveys—specifically monitoring Short Eared Owls (endangered) and Northern Harriers (threatened). The NYS DEC has also enlisted the help of other environmental...
Read MoreRTPI 2016 Highlights
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History wishes you a very Happy New Year! Here are some of our most popular blog posts and memorable highlights of 2016 at RTPI… This Snowy Owl blog entry from last January claimed the #1 spot in 2016, and considering our logo, we feel this is very appropriate! Check out those eyes: http://rtpi.org/snowy-owl-eyes/ One of the more touching days of our year was a celebration of Noble Proctor’s life at a BioBlitz Challenge at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Connecticut on May 14. Noble Proctor was one of Roger Tory Peterson’s...
Read MoreSnowy Owl Season
Welcome back to Snowy Owl season! I took these photographs of a very calm and sleepy Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) today at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, Connecticut. One had been reported about a week ago in the area, though it was not seen again until the last couple of days. I was able to go over and briefly enjoy this bird sitting on a rock jetty along Long Island Sound with a few other birders. It was in the perfect place to be seen and not disturbed, and unknowing folks taking a walk or jogging were mostly on the nearby boardwalk and far enough away from the owl so that it did not...
Read MoreGray Ghost & Winter Raptors
We are now in the beginning of meteorological winter and nearing the start of astronomical winter. Our birds, as usual, are already prepared for the season however we wish to define it, having migrated, irrupted, or dispersed to wintering grounds throughout the region, continent, or perhaps even out of our hemisphere. Those that remain with us have evolved to cope with the freezing conditions and heavy snowfall. One such species is the Northern Harrier, and last week I photographed this adult male “gray ghost” while it was hunting. Look at that gaze – magnificent! The Roger...
Read MoreKeeping the World Wild Exhibition
Keeping the World Wild The Art of John and Suzie Seerey-Lester June 17 – August 28, 2016 RTPI is very pleased to announce a new exhibition featuring original works by John and Suzie Seerey-Lester this summer! “Keeping the World Wild” will give visitors a glimpse into the inspiring work of this incredible artist duo. With work hanging at the White House and in permanent, private and Museum collections throughout the world, John Seerey-Lester has become one of the most renowned of today’s wildlife and historic artists. He moved to America over 30 years ago, making it his base of operation, and...
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