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Birds – 2007 Checklist

Red-necked Grebe that was rescued.

I decided to split up my 2007 Nature Checklist into 5 different categories; Butterflies & Skippers, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals and Birds! Birds are my last species in this series that I have been keeping track of within Western New York State, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. I have also taken the birds and split them up between non-passerines (88) and passerines (111). This was one of my best “bird” years with many great species and 6 lifers (5 of which were at Cape Cod)! Although, it would have been nice to have gotten one more species to make it exactly 200 for 2007! Maybe I can break that 200 barrier in 2008 and do a little traveling (which is how so many are able to get their numbers up)?? Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 4 January 2008 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Birds, Flickr, migration, Nature, Ornithology, photography | Tags: 2007 checklist | 27 Comments

Mammals – 2007 Checklist

I decided to split up my 2007 Nature Checklist into 5 different categories; Butterflies & Skippers, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals and Birds! Mammals (28) are the next family in my series of species that I have kept track of within Western New York State.

Red Squirrel

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Posted by mon@rch | 3 January 2008 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Flickr, Mammals, Nature | Tags: 2007, checklist | 32 Comments

Reptiles – 2007 Checklist

I decided to split up my 2007 Nature Checklist into 5 different categories; Butterflies & Skippers, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals and Birds! Reptiles (6) are the next family in my series of species that I have kept track of within Western New York State.

Common Garter Snake Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 2 January 2008 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Flickr, Nature, Snake, Turtle | Tags: 2007 checklist, Reptiles | 19 Comments

Amphibians – 2007 Checklist

I decided to split my 2007 Nature Checklist into 5 different categories; Butterflies & Skippers, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals and Birds! Amphibians are the next family in my series of species that I have kept track of within Western New York State in 2007. I have taken the Amphibians and split them up between Salamanders (9) and Frogs (7).

Spotted Salamander Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 1 January 2008 | Categories: Flickr, Frog, Nature, photography, Salamander | Tags: 2007 checklist | 27 Comments

Butterflies – 2007 Checklist

Monarch Pair

I decided to split my 2007 Nature Checklist into 5 different categories; Butterflies & Skippers, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals and Birds! I would like to start this series with the Butterfly (31) and Skipper (12) species I found within Western New York State. Between high gas prices and limited time to get out to look for butterflies in 2007, I ended up seeing a lower than normal numbers of butterflies. My first butterflies was in Allegany State Park on the 21st of April with an Eastern Comma and a Mourning Cloak. My biggest butterfly day was on the 10th of June 2007 with 19 species. Ya, Ya, I have had better years!! Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 1 January 2008 | Categories: bugs, Butterflies, Flickr, Nature, photography | Tags: 2007 checklist | 26 Comments

Happy New Year Everyone!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year from all of us here at Mon@rch Nature Blog!

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Posted by mon@rch | 30 December 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Birds, Flickr, Nature, photography | Tags: Bald Eagle | 30 Comments

My Bird Feeders [videos]

I was asked by Nature Shutterbug to do post on the bird feeders in my backyard. Instead of making this post simple (sorry dial-up friends), I decided to get into this post multiple videos. I do feed the birds year-round but during the Spring-Summer-Fall months I bring the feeders inside at dusk due to the critters getting into them. The suet feeder comes inside at dusk during the winter months but I will fill the other feeders with a limited amount of seeds for when the critters find them. Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 29 December 2007 | Categories: Birds, Blip.tv, Nature, video | Tags: Bird Feeders, Natural Feeders, suet, Sunflower Seeds, Thistle | 28 Comments

End of 2007

Hummingbird Moth photo from August 2003

It seems like the end of 2007 has been just buzzing by so quickly. I had a hard time thinking of a critter that buzzed and suddenly I remember some older (2003) video that I captured of a Hummingbird Moth!! Hope you enjoy this cute little moth! Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 28 December 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Blip.tv, bugs, Nature, video | Tags: hummingbird moth, milkweed, moth | 23 Comments

What a Chipmunk?

Eastern Chipmunk (older photo)

I would have never predicted that on December 26 an Eastern Chipmunk would be running around with morning temperatures of 19°F. My Chipmunk friend should be in its torpor state, where he will reduce his body temperature and taking a longer than normal nap! Eastern Chipmunks are not true hibernators and have been known to come out of their burrow when temperatures get warm (note warm!). I wonder if this is a sign that my reddish-brown (with white/black stripes) chippy friend knows that temperatures will be getting warmer than normal this month?? I sure hope he found some seeds on his quick adventure into our icy/snowy wonderland!! Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 26 December 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Blip.tv, Mammals, video | Tags: Eastern Chipmunk | 29 Comments

Happy Holidays!

Dear Santa,

Last year I was a little greedy with a request for a Nikon D200 and a trip to Costa Rica!! Although I should have known it was a little too much to ask . . . . I am very thankful for the 6 lifers you were able to stumble upon for me! I tried to be extra good this year and would love to get the DVD – Planet Earth or any other nature videos. This will keep me entertained since television has been so boring lately due to the writers strike. Locating a few White-winged or Red Crossbills would be the icing on the cake for the season!! Please??? I know they are in the area and wouldn’t take much for you to convince them to spend a few days at my feeders??

If possible, could you be extra generous to all my flickr friends and blogging buddies? They are very kind hearted people and making them happy would be the best Christmas Present ever!! I am very lucky to say that I am always learning from them and they are always finding a way to make me smile! Hmm, what about those Young Naturalist??? Could you be sure to place a few more nature books under their Christmas Tree?? LOL, feel free to tell them I said so!! Have a safe trip across the world and see you again next year ~ !

Sincerely,
TOM (aka mon@rch)
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Posted by mon@rch | 24 December 2007 | Categories: photography | 43 Comments