While planting the vegetable garden last May, I heard a repeated bird song emanating from the adjacent raspberry patch: “Pleased, pleased, pleased to MEETCHA.” Finally, the small songster perched near the tip of a raspberry cane, its tail cocked. The bird’s yellow crown, black mask, olive back with black streaks, and white breast with rusty side patches were clearly visible – the striking markings of a male chestnut-sided warbler. (Breeding females are similarly-colored but lack the black eye mask.) [Read more…] about Chestnut-Sided Warblers
birding
Watchable Wildlife: Brooklyn’s Prospect Park
One of the largest parks in Brooklyn, Prospect Park, offers the chance to see just about any bird that travels through New York City. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, Prospect Park is ideal for birding, with more than 250 species spotted each year, including migrating songbirds in spring and fall, and a large diversity of waterfowl and resident birds throughout the year. [Read more…] about Watchable Wildlife: Brooklyn’s Prospect Park
World Migratory Bird Day Is Saturday
World Migratory Bird Day is officially celebrated on the second Saturday in May (May 13th in 2023) as migratory birds journey to nesting sites and on the second Saturday in October (October 14th in 2023) as they return to wintering areas. [Read more…] about World Migratory Bird Day Is Saturday
Woodpecker Guides Post-Fire Forest Management
What’s good for the Black-backed Woodpecker is good for restoration of burned California forests. The birds’ unique relationship with fire underpins the latest research into improved post-fire management. A study published in Ecological Applications describes a new tool that factors how fires burn into forest management decisions and turns science into action for wildlife conservation. [Read more…] about Woodpecker Guides Post-Fire Forest Management
Watch the Skies for Spring Bird Migrations
Spring is an ideal time to observe bird migrations. New York is conveniently located along the Atlantic Flyway, one of the main migration routes. This gives you a great opportunity to observe birds flying to their summer breeding grounds. [Read more…] about Watch the Skies for Spring Bird Migrations
Sanitizing Your Bird Feeders Helps Limits Spread of Disease
In areas where black bears occur, it’s recommended that people feeding birds remove their bird feeders in April, so they do not attract hungry black bears when they emerge from hibernation. If you continue to feed birds, it is good practice to clean your bird feeders regularly. [Read more…] about Sanitizing Your Bird Feeders Helps Limits Spread of Disease
What’s That Sound? American Woodcock
Have you been outside at dusk lately near an open field or scrub brush area and been startled by a loud PEENT sound followed by twittering sound? What you’re likely hearing is a courtship display of a male American woodcock trying to attract a mate. [Read more…] about What’s That Sound? American Woodcock
Lights Out for Bird Migration Season
Each year during spring migration many birds that are navigating the night sky become disoriented from artificial building lighting. Not only does city lighting deter the navigational abilities of migrating birds, but it also leads to an increase in fatal building collisions, killing an estimated billion birds annually. [Read more…] about Lights Out for Bird Migration Season
Chicken, Owl or Eagle: They All Start From Amazing Eggs
I’m often tempted to peek at the eggs inside a phoebe’s nest when the parents leave it to forage for food. I’ve picked up a fallen robin’s egg shell and admired its delicate color and smoothness. I’ve marveled at the primal determination of the chick that pecked its way out of an egg to become a full-fledged owl, avocet, or eagle. [Read more…] about Chicken, Owl or Eagle: They All Start From Amazing Eggs
Watchable Wildlife: Birding at Tifft Nature Preserve
Just a five-minute drive from downtown Buffalo and situated on the Outer Harbor, Tifft Nature Preserve encompasses 264 acres of restored habitat with five miles of trails and boardwalks. It’s a great place to see wild birds in action. This week one visitor spotted 35 different species. [Read more…] about Watchable Wildlife: Birding at Tifft Nature Preserve