Evolution in an Urbanizing World
Back in the quarantine, we could go for walks or gaze out of our windows. This cardinal could be seen on a walk or out the window! The red cardinal is perched on a blooming Magnolia tree. Now that's a great sight! Do you have a photo or video of an urban species doing something... Continue Reading →
I am starting to think that foxes are more common in urban areas than we thought... Today's urban observation is another fox! We have had a few previous observations of foxes, one with a magpie, then one in a garden feeding its babies. There is research being done on red foxes in Berlin, featured here... Continue Reading →
Cat TV is a great way to keep your feline friend entertained. What is cat TV? It is a window that your cat can look out and watch the local flora and fauna. Cats in high rise buildings rarely get to see birds up close, but this one got a special treat. A woodpecker flew... Continue Reading →
Now that we are still in pandemic mode, more organisms that we might not normally see in urban areas are popping up on our social distanced walks. Here we see a flock of turkey vultures in Erindale Park, hanging out near the recycling bins. You'll want to practice more than the 6 feet of social... Continue Reading →
Yesterday we shared some new research with you about the effects of light at night (ALAN) on anoles, featuring new research by contributor Chris Thawley. Today, we stick with that theme of activity at night and the night-light niche. In January (before I knew my fieldwork would be postponed indefinitely), I headed to the beautiful... Continue Reading →
A couple of weeks ago I got a text from my mom, "Can you talk now?" A Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginians) had taken up residence in her planter box, and one of the joeys (baby opossum) was not moving. Being the family wildlife "expert" I was called in. We got on a video chat and... Continue Reading →
In some communities people will feed the local birds, ensuring that they will have a great view of these birds. Oftentimes, pigeons will locate these feeding spots and aggregate. In this neighborhood in downtown Toronto, one person purposefully leaves food for the pigeons. Although feeding wildlife is not advisable and can lead to unintended consequences... Continue Reading →
Wild javelinas can be pretty dangerous to encounter. They have tusks that can cause serious damage and tempers to boot. Thankfully, this javelina did not cause any harm, just running through an urban neighborhood in Tucson, AZ. https://twitter.com/HannahTiedeTV/status/1232135937787695104?s=20 Do you have a photo or video of an urban species doing something unusual? What about a... Continue Reading →
Usually, when you hear about a bear wandering through a neighborhood, it is in some rural area in Alaska. This week, we bring you a bear walking through a neighborhood near Los Angeles, CA! The more we urbanize our land, the more unexpected wildlife we will see in our neighborhoods. https://twitter.com/CBSLA/status/1230866141863563264?s=20 Do you have a... Continue Reading →
As winter is finally ending and warmer weather is on the way, we bring you one more winter observation. Many birds fly south for the winter, but some stick around and brave the cold. This owl is one of those birds that stayed in the city during the winter months. https://twitter.com/ABBestphotos/status/1226710932547502080?s=20 Do you have a... Continue Reading →
Typically, researchers have found that many different species of bee populations decline in urban areas. But not all bees do poorly in the city. Here is a swarm that piled onto a car while someone was shopping at their local pharmacy! Do you have a photo or video of an urban species doing something unusual?... Continue Reading →
When we see wildlife in our neighborhoods, it seems like we hit the lotto. They are rare gems to spot and even get a picture. Most of the time, we are happy to see them. However, when people let their cats roam freely, the cat can encounter wildlife that may be less than friendly. Recently,... Continue Reading →
Like many of you, I've been working from home due to the Coronavirus pandemic. My University suspended face-to-face classes two weeks ago and closed the campus to all nonessential personnel on Sunday night. Knowing this was coming, I packed up my desktop, hard drives, and essential books, and brought them home with me and got... Continue Reading →
During the winter, snow covers the ground and lakes freeze. The trees have lost their leaves, the birds flew south, and the bears hibernate. But where do the bugs go? Some also go south for the winter, like the Monarch Butterfly. But others actually stay in the north and are aquatic, living under the ice.... Continue Reading →
Bird feeders are a great way to attract birds to your backyard, but what happens when your bird feeder also attracts unwanted pests? The Helsinki Urban Rat Project recently tweeted out a video showing a rat feasting on the spilled grain from a bird feeder. Check out our other posts on urban rats here and... Continue Reading →
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