Fieldnotes
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A Better Way To Plant
This patch of native meadow in Green-Wood Cemetery was a revelation on a recent afternoon when it was absolutely pulsing with life as numerous species of butterflies, dragonflies, bees, wasps, and beetles gathered pollen and nectar and munched on plants and each other. I gather it’s an experiment. I hope it thrives, and that those…
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Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Diabrotica undecimpunctata on Liatris.
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Tadpoles
One of the unexpected sights during our walk along the Northumberland Coast Path was this (tidal?) pool full of what we thought were Common Toad (Bufo bufo) tadpoles. Surprising because this was brackish water at best, if not fully the brine of the nearby North Sea. It seems, though, that they can tolerate a certain…
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Autumn Meadowhawk
An immature or teneral male Sympetrum vicinum in Green-Wood. When mature, this small dragonfly will be a beautiful shade of red, and a representative of one of the few dragonfly species to be seen locally into October. The yellow-legs will stay this color: an alternate common name is Yellow-legged Meadowhawk. Having recently emerged from its…
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Gather Ye Terns While You May
Gather in the optical sense, of course. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) have been breeding in New York Harbor for the last few years, a new and exciting development in a world where the environmental/ecological news is usually bad. They use the abandoned piers on Governor’s Island, with some help from friendly bipeds (cf. NYC Audubon)…
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Katydid Nights
Since Sunday night, a katydid has been stridulating out beyond the Back 40. It’s a Common True Katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia), the one that says its own name. Once upon a time, nearly a century ago, this species was presumed extirpated from NYC, but it has clearly returned. Katydid-katydidnt & etc. The Horticulturist remembers childhood visits…
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Larva
Spotted on the t-shirt of one of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s gardeners. Clearly, a bug who knows its friends. Speaking of friends, I will be doing a Bugs and Blooms tour tonight at 6:30 at Pier 1 BBP.
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Painted Skimmer
Libellula semifasciata.
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Nidification
In the last week, I’ve seen House Sparrow and Northern Cardinal nestlings, gaping mouths squawking. It’s late in the breeding season, but some birds, especially the non-migratory locals who started early, may be on their second brood of the year. This Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) is using a train station window-well for its cliff-face nest.…
Backyard and Beyond 