Tag: prey

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Posted on October 20, 2019 by The Art of Ecology

Happy Squirrel Awareness Month!

October is Squirrel Awareness Month, so let’s celebrate by learning more about them. Many people see Eastern Grey Squirrels as pests – critters that eat all of their birdseed, hang out around urban trash cans searching for pizza crusts, critters that make homes in walls of houses, or garden pests – but squirrels are so …

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Category: Animals, Backyard Habitats, The Art of Ecology, Wildlife Behavior Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Posted on March 3, 2018 by The Art of Ecology

To Rescue or not to Rescue? That is the question…

Great Horned Owl we rescued this winter in Bucks County. Unfortunately, it didn't survive, but it was a great learning experience!

If you’re reading this chances are you love animals! Me too! However, as animal lovers, we need to know how to best protect and care for them, especially in the wild. Short Answer This question “To rescue or not,” is a difficult one to answer. Short answer –  if it’s human caused (ex. A bird …

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Category: Animals, birds, Climate Change, conservation, Endangered Species, The Art of Ecology, Wildlife Behavior Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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The Spicebush flowers of spring have given way to large oval shaped leaves and green berries. In the fall, those fruits will ripen into a vibrant red and be a delicious cinnamony sort of flavor, great for all of the autumn-flavored drinks and cookies!
The Evening Grosbeak is a cold-loving bird who forages on cones of pines, spruces, firs, and other native conifers. They prefer mountainous regions and generally stay in northern North America (Canada and Pacific Northwest US). During winter migration, they may venture south, even into northern Pennsylvania, however it's uncommon to spot one of these beauties.
These Jack-in-the-pulpit flowers are bizarrely pollinated. They don't need a ton of flashy color, and sometimes it's hard to spot the flower, and that's because they rely on gnat pollinators, rather than butterflies or bees, who use flashy colors to figure out which flower they'll like.
While Spoonbill Sandpipers are not natives to North America (they migrate along the Pacific Coast of Russia into southeast Asia), we do have other types of spoonbills that are so named for their uniquely shaped bill that scoops food out of watery sand. Our native Roseate Spoonbill actually has a small migration, if they move at all. Migration is not necessarily triggered by temperature, but by access to food resources (which can be impacted by temperature among other things). The Roseate is more impacted by changing water levels which can put food out of reach, or dry the food out!
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