By Joan Collins One of my favorite nocturnal signs of spring is listening to the wild vocalizations and twittering displays of the male American woodcock in late March. It is the earliest migrant species to breed in northern New York. With … [Read more...] about Woodcocks’ arrival is sure sign of spring
Pine grosbeaks: A favorite winter finch
Ample food sources lead to bumper crop of pine grosbeaks this winter By Joan Collins Things quiet down by late summer and fall as many of the Adirondack breeding bird species head south. But as winter arrives, birds to our north irrupt into our … [Read more...] about Pine grosbeaks: A favorite winter finch
Ravens: Clear communicators, smart mimics
By Joan Collins Common ravens are members of the corvid family, species considered the smartest of all birds. Ravens possess complex problem-solving skills, use tools to reach food and excel as well as apes and young children in their ability to … [Read more...] about Ravens: Clear communicators, smart mimics
Pied-billed grebes: Not a duck, but still a waterbird
By Joan Collins The pied-billed grebe is New York’s only breeding grebe species. It is a brown-colored, small, diving waterbird. Compared to a mallard, it has less than half the weight and wingspan. Most of the time you hear this bird making its … [Read more...] about Pied-billed grebes: Not a duck, but still a waterbird
Catching up with a boreal flycatcher
By Joan Collins One of the Adirondacks’ most sought-after boreal species, by visiting birders, is also one of the most entertaining to observe. With their loud “quick, three beers” song, the olive-sided flycatcher won’t elude your ear. Their … [Read more...] about Catching up with a boreal flycatcher
What will happen to Bicknell’s thrush?
Concerns for potential disruptions to rare bird's habitat By John Thaxton When I heard the Olympic Regional Development Authority planned to start cutting trees at Whiteface Mountain to create new ski trails, connector trails between the … [Read more...] about What will happen to Bicknell’s thrush?