Species Spotlight - Least Bittern
Least Bitterns are the smallest member of the heron family. Their diminutive size allows them to move about in dense emergent vegetation, making them hard to see.
-
-
Map Spotlight - Northern Harrier
Northern Harriers often choose to breed in large stretches of undisturbed grasslands and wetlands across the state. They will use meadows, old farm fields, pastures, and both freshwater and brackish marshes during the breeding season where they can be seen hunting for small rodents and birds.
-
Species Spotlight - Upland Sandpiper
Upland Sandpipers only spend a few months in NY, but their spectacular singing and flight display is not to be missed. Learn more about how to find this disappearing grassland bird.
-
Species Spotlight: Bald Eagle
Among the most easily recognized breeding birds in NY is the Bald Eagle. A symbol of freedom and wilderness, casual and amateur birdwatchers alike enjoy seeing this bird any time of year.
-
Species Spotlight - Common Raven
Common Ravens are among the largest members of the crow family and the largest passerines in the world. Their expansive and unique repertoire of vocalizations make them easy to recognize and entertaining to observe.
-
Species Spotlight - Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owls are a cryptic and enigmatic species found across North America, Europe, and Asia. While they have a range that spans the northern hemisphere, Long-eared Owls are often difficult to find locally due to their preferred habitat of thick conifer forest, effective camouflage, and infrequent hooting behavior.
-
Species Spotlight - Common Gallinule
Common Gallinules are a member of the rail family found in fresh and brackish marshes throughout much of eastern and parts of western North America. Unlike many rails, Common Gallinules are just as comfortable swimming in the water as they are stalking through wetlands where they feed on aquatic vegetation, seeds, and invertebrates like snails.
-
Species Spotlight - Horned Lark
Horned Larks are among the earliest songbirds to breed in NY. They often settle down in sparse agricultural fields before the snow is gone.
-
Species Spotlight - White-winged Crossbill
Like their counterpart the Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbills are nomadic, following the available cone crop and settling down to breed where they find a large food supply. We can't be sure when or where we may run into them, but we can increase our chances by following large-scale movements of crossbills (called irruptions) and learning a bit about their biology.
-
Species Spotlight - Red Crossbill
In every language, the most distinctive character of a crossbill is its amazing crossed bill, an adaptation that makes them super efficient at extracting seeds from conifers. Learn more about how to find breeding crossbills.
