Bird of the Week

This week, I have chosen the Eastern Screech Owl. This small owl can be found throughout the east coast of the U.S. and Canada. Pairs mate for life, though the male may actually mate with a second female and double the clutch size in the nest. They eat small rodents, songbirds, crayfish, insects, and reptiles. This species is not endangered but can sometimes be displaced from its nests by the ever-annoying starling.
photo courtesy auburnxc on flickr

Mammal of the Week

I decided to choose an animal that is commonly seen by the roadside in WV, the groundhog. Groundhogs (aka woodchucks) are one of several species of marmots that stuff themselves over the spring, summer, and fall then hibernate during the winter. This has also helped bring them into our pantheon of holiday characters as heralds of winter's end. The most famous of these is Punxsutawney Phil.

Bird of the Week

For the first bird in August, I chose the peregrine falcon. These birds are a great comeback story. They were nearly wiped out due to pesticides and due to programs similar to Peregrine Falcon Program at the New River Gorge they have greatly stabilized in numbers. They fly at upwards of 35 mph but can reach speeds of up to 69 mph in a dive on prey.