Scaup Surge
Thanks to recent warm temperatures and favorable winds, Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) like those shown here are now on the move back to the north, and during the past couple of weeks their numbers have been growing across the region. While you can find some throughout the winter in open areas on large bodies of water such as Lake Erie, most members of this species migrate south to evade the cold. We have been able to enjoy several thousand – probably 5,000 or 6,000 and maybe more – in the waters of Long Island Sound off Stratford Point. Most stay rather far offshore and away from...
Read MoreWater is Life
Chautauqua County is at the beginning of several different watersheds – water from north county streams flows into Lake Erie, drops over Niagara Falls, and ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean. Streams in the southern half of the county drain into the Allegany, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, respectively, and eventually water from these streams reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Our springs and wells are at the source of several large bodies of water and our streams contain some of the cleanest water in these watersheds. As a result, the variety of fish and other aquatic creatures in our area is...
Read MoreBlue-winged Teal Hen
The hen Blue-winged Teal is rather skilled at going unnoticed with its drab colors and comparatively tiny size to some of the other ducks it may be spotted hanging out with. We do not get to see too many of them outside of the summer or migration, but this was a recent sighting thanks to the relatively warm weather keeping some water open. What intriguing waterfowl sightings have you had this winter?
Read MoreRed-throated Loon
Ever wonder why Common and Red-throated Loons like this one end up with a winter plumage of mostly varying shades of gray? Look no further! Winter waters, especially on cloudy days, match the birds perfectly…even the waves.
Read MoreBlack-bellied Plovers
These Black-bellied Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) are roosting on the Stratford Point reef balls that were a part of the living shoreline expansion. This has not been an uncommon sight as long-legged waders, ducks, and other shorebirds (a big flock of Dunlin this past Sunday!) have been spending time resting on them at higher tides. It is only the beginning of the action for this restoration with much planned here for 2017…
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