Dragonflies of Pennsylvania
At this time on warm or hot, sunny days it is a good bet you will find me spending at least an hour or two conducting dragonfly and damselfly surveys. More species are emerging as the summer begins and it is the prime time to find both great diversity and tremendous numbers of odonates at ponds, streams, rivers, swamps, bogs – nearly anywhere with an abundance of water. Last weekend I visited Akeley Swamp just over the Pennsylvania border to see what it held in its Conewango Creek-fed wetlands. I was overwhelmed with 30 species including several that were a first for the year for me....
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 MoreBlue-winged Teal (Anas discors) by Scott Kruitbosch
More ducks! Can you ID the pair in this photo? Those are Blue-winged Teal looking beautiful in a local marsh earlier this morning. Coming from Connecticut I certainly appreciate seeing them in breeding season as the nesting population is listed as “Threatened” in the CT Endangered Species Act.
Read MoreProthonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) by Twan Leenders
This stunning Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) and its vivid yellow color stand out magnificently against the white Meet Your Neighbours style background. Twan took this photo while in Costa Rica last week after it was netted and banded by Sean. It is high on my list as one of the best I’ve ever seen. Coming from Connecticut the Prothonotary is a rare treat and seeing one like this…whoa. If you can find a banded male this spring and summer in your local wetlands, stream, swamp, bottomland forest or associated habitats it may just be this bird!
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