Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

  • Raptor Wendesday

    Two over Valley Water at the same time. On the Kestrel perch atop the Old Chapel. Then, several minutes later, two were over Sylvan Water, eeping away.

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  • Double Crests

    The Double-creasted Cormorant/Nannopterum auritum‘s crests are breeding season finery.

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    Double Crests

  • Mammal Monday

    Dead edition, unfortunately. Mostly likely time to see them, though: White-footed Mouse/Peromyscus leucopus, probably. Striped Skunk/Mephitis mephtis, another crepuscular and nocturnal species.

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    Mammal Monday

  • Two New NYC Nature Books

    New York City is of course a fantastic place to see birds—and other lifeforms, as you readers know—through the year, a fact that plenty of people both here and elsewhere still aren’t savvy to. Urban nature, inevitably given the urbanization of the world, is getting a lot more attention than it used to, and our…

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  • Pigeon

    This chimney pot is a regular American Kestrel perch. But this foggy day it hosting an all-white feral pigeon. No bands on this bird, although it does look fancy.

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    Pigeon

  • Some More Kestrel

    Dawn patrol. That light sure makes all the difference. Meanwhile: It looks like this pair is going to use the 2023 nest site off 4th Avenue:

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    Some More Kestrel

  • At Last!

    Bees, that is. Six species around the early blooming Japanese Andromeda/Pieris japonica.

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    At Last!

  • Raptor Wednesday

    One female American Kestrel. And another, much more heavily striped in front. This one grabbed a treat off the ground… …and ate it. Worm or beetle larva?

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    Raptor Wednesday

  • Obligatory Crocuses

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    Obligatory Crocuses

  • Jay & Egg

    This sure looks like a chicken egg shell. Is somebody raiding the compost? I assume the Blue Jay wants the calcium in this.

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    Jay & Egg