Pine Warbler
This Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) was enjoying foraging in White Pine (Pinus strobus) trees in the early morning light today, the first of many warbler species to arrive in the coming weeks. Now is the time to break out your Peterson Field Guide warbler plates and study songs as well. This male was singing intermittently, more focused on eating than advertising. Their song resembles that of the Chipping Sparrow, or even the Dark-eyed Junco, but it is a little more deliberate and slower trill. In my opinion the best way to learn a song is to literally watch a bird singing it as much as you...
Read MoreHouse Finch Pair
It is time to pair off for some of our resident and more hardy passerine species, like the male and female House Finch below. You have undoubtedly heard their rolling and cheery spring song by now in your yard or across your favorite patch. Buds and leaves will be filling up these branches in mere weeks.
Read MoreCardinal in Low Winter Sun
I recently photographed this Northern Cardinal in the early morning and low winter sun as it was soaking up the rays to warm up on a chilly day. It did not sing, or at least not yet. It will not be long before the species begins to call out on territories across the landscape while the sun rises in height in the sky each and every day. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreBelted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
While we may be looking for more of that “winter” feeling and some seasonal snowfall, especially in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region for our winter trails cell phone tour, this Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) was enjoying an open pond to fish in. After chatting with me for a little bit, rattling away, it went back to its business, looking for prey and then up to the sky. Perhaps it was wondering where all that snow is… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreHeavy and low avian migration in Jamestown
This past Wednesday, October 15, I was outside in downtown Jamestown, New York, for much of the night. An area of low pressure had moved by earlier in the day and precipitation had cleared. Clouds were thinning and moving east. There are plenty of unnatural noises to hear on a typical night in the City of Jamestown – music, people shouting, vehicles and often large trucks passing by. There was also an incessant yet subtle chorus of noises coming from the low levels of the sky in the form of avian flight calls! Birds were moving south and in strong numbers with almost endless peeps and...
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