I have bird songs in my head today . . . . Prairie Warbler is the song I can’t stop hearing!
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FOSSILS
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History announced the loan from the New York State Museum of a 13,000-year-old Columbian Mammoth fossil discovered in 1934 in Randolph, New York.
The fossilized 4-foot curved tusks and a life-size replica cast of the Randolph Mammoth skull with tusks will be part of the Institute’s FOSSILS! exhibit that will open January 22, 2011 at the Institute on Curtis Street in Jamestown.
"The Randolph Mammoth specimen is a treasure for teaching about the biology, evolution, and history of life in New York State. We’re excited about having it exhibited at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, near where the specimen was discovered over 75 years ago," said Dr. Robert S. Feranec, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the New York State Museum.
"In addition to the Randolph Mammoth, more than a dozen specimens for ‘FOSSILS!’ will be loaned by Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania, guaranteeing that it will be an exceptional exhibit of ancient life," Jim Berry, president of the Institute explained.
"Life-size casts of Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops skulls, a fossilized nest of five dinosaur eggs, a giant Jurassic fish, Silurian sea scorpions and a giant Ice-Age beaver will be some of the outstanding specimens on display at RTPI from Mercyhurst," Berry added. Mercyhurst is home to the Sincak Collection of fossils, an extensive assemblage of exacting casts and actual specimens of famous fossils from around the world.
"The State Museum and Mercyhurst College are extending themselves to share their collection with Western New Yorkers and we’re grateful," Berry noted, explaining that Mercyhurst Paleontology Curator Scott McKenzie, along with students, will help install the exhibit and participate in programming and training.
Berry said that although the fossil specimens are loaned free of charge, the Institute is seeking financial sponsors to help with exhibition shipping, construction of special display cases, and educational materials.
[Taken from RTPI Press Release rtpi.org This is a big event for local nature enthusiast and I strongly suggest to everyone to take the time to visit this outstanding exhibit over at the Peterson Institute. ]
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Lunch Time
Red-tailed Hawk with prey
By: Pat Coate
I’ve been having fun going through files of pictures I took over the summer and fall that I hadn’t had time to do much with yet. The end of August I went to the ‘Photographer’s Dream Day” at Letchworth State Park (actually the dam site). On my way home I came across this hawk while exploring some of the back roads.
He was chowing down on what appeared to be a mouse or mole, of which he made short work, and allowed me to snap off a few pictures. I believe it is a red-tailed hawk.
Still Winter
Yep it’s still winter!!
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Barnacle Goose
Barnacle Goose
By: Pat Coate
Cleaning out the files a bit and came across these pictures from October. We saw these geese down at the Duke Gardens in Durham, NC while visiting. I had never seen this species before and finally got around to pulling out the field guide for the ID. Much smaller and stouter than a typical Canada goose, the barnacle goose is native to Greenland. Vagrants are occasionally reported, though these birds were captive.
Dead Birds Falling From the Sky
I have been looking for more info on the birds that seem to be falling from the sky. If you have not heard about it yet . . . New Year’s Eve a few thousand birds were found dead in central Arkansas. It has been believed that around 4-5 thousand Red-winged Blackbirds had fallen from the sky and died from some kind of trauma. First reports seemed to state it was caused by hail or fireworks. Now another 500 birds have also been found dead along roads in the state of Louisiana only 300 miles south of the Arkansas area. Scientists are now stumped as to what the cause of these birds’ deaths and not even sure if these two instances are related or not. Read the rest of this page »
First Bird for 2011
My first bird for 2011 was a Black-capped Chicakdee . . . .. followed by Tufted Titmouse!! Happy New Year Everyone!
Read the rest of this page »
Common Ravens
I was enjoying Texas “Common Ravens” flying around last year at this time. Well . . . along with many other lifers being added to my life list! This year back around Allegany State Park there seems to be a ton of Common Ravens flying around and they are almost more dominant than the crows. Yesterday, not far from Camp Allegany a flock of Ravens and Crows were mobbing an adult Bald Eagle sitting in a tree. Apparently the eagles are not fishing the river and reverting to the fields. My guess . . . . the Corvus ended up wining . . . the eagle was not there later in the day. Read the rest of this page »
Christmas Birding
White-throated Sparrow
By: Pat Coate
While visiting my sister in Delaware over the holidays, my niece, husband, father and I went for a short birding outing. We got about 20 species with a few more added at my parents’ house and had some good looks at many of the birds. Maddie, my niece, is getting quite good at identifying many species. Her dad is feeding her new interest by feeding the birds in their backyard where she has been diligently observing the hungry visitors. However, I think her highlight was sliding across a frozen pond we discovered at one of the parks.
Previously taken pictures of some of the birds we saw are shown here.
Happy Holidays
From everyone at the mon@rch nature blog . . . . I hope everyone has a great Happy Holidays and Outstanding New Year!
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