Powerline corridors, plants and wildlife
Powerline corridors, as well as gas and oil pipeline right of ways, are often an unexpected habitat oasis. They cover millions of acres of land in America. They may also provide a tremendous benefit to plants and wildlife that favor scrub or early successional habitat, a type that we do not favor in our development otherwise. Certain bees and butterflies to flowers and birds can all end up winning if these strips are managed properly – limiting mowing, chemicals, invasive plants and so forth. As humans have worked to protect forests we have neglected to do the same for this habitat...
Read MoreChadakoin River in downtown Jamestown
The Chadakoin River, pictured here in downtown Jamestown, is glowing with life and autumn shades. What did you see outside on this fine fall day? Corridors like this one can be a wonderful place for wildlife on the move including many species of migrant birds and dragonflies apart from all the endemic life we often speak of. I have seen some stunning warblers here! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreNot a cat’s play toy
This is an Eastern Chipmunk. It is not a cat’s play toy. I did not witness its death but considering how much one of the local cats seems to enjoy hunting them in the area I found it plus the fresh, pungent aroma that feline left behind immediately next to the body I can surmise how it happened. Even if it was not that cat this occurs many, many times…millions upon millions…to small birds and mammals each day. Besides the death of wildlife why do we allow our small fur children to run amok in the dangerous outdoors? We all need to bring our cats in the house, no matter...
Read MorePennsylvania Elk
Typically when most people think of North American Elk (Cervus elaphus), they picture them scattered across a beautiful mountainous landscape in the Rockies or dotting a grassland prairie in the Midwest. What many fail to think of however, is elk in their own backyard or wooded property right here in the eastern United States; many except those in “elk country” Pennsylvania. Historically, Pennsylvania was like most states having a healthy elk population with copious amounts of prime habitat capable of sustaining the largest member of the deer family. However, upon the arrival of...
Read MoreTimber Rattlesnake near den
After a lot of feedback let’s keep talking about Timber Rattlesnakes today. In the Northeast, Timber Rattlesnakes are extirpated in ME and RI and down to – at best – a handful of populations in NH, VT, MA and CT. They have a severely reduced range in NY. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a grand total of about five people die per year from any venomous snake bite in all of America. The vast majority of those bitten have been harassing or aggressively attacking the snake without cause. Like nearly any other wild creature if you leave it alone it...
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