Category Archives: Habitats of City Wildlife

Skyscrapers, puddles and other unlikely places that city critters call home.

Spidey’s Tighty Whities

True Believers! Once again, Kelly Rypkema, our unabashed advocate for nature, jumps boldly into the wilds of New York. In today’s episode, Kelly tests the superhero strength of spider silk and shares the answer to one of life’s greatest questions. more »

Share
Posted in Animal Behavior, Habitats of City Wildlife, Spiders and Insects, Videos | 1 Comment

A Falcon Perches in Soho

Think there’s no wildlife on the city streets? Look up! This Peregrine Falcon hung out in Soho for an entire afternoon last week, taking in the sights (of pigeons? of starlings perhaps?) along Broadway. New York City is home to more »

Share
Posted in Animals, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Nature by the Seasons, News, Photos, Predators and Prey, Winter | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

Why don’t spiders stick to their own webs?

Is the thought of walking face first into a spider web enough to make you scream? In this episode of Nature in a New York Minute, biologist Kelly Rypkema shares a little experiment to help you face your inner demons more »

Share
Posted in Animal Behavior, Habitats of City Wildlife, Spiders and Insects, Videos | Comments Off

When Wildlife Moves In – a Modern Parable

by Michele Dudas, PSQ Naturalist Interpreter I awoke to the faintest scritching sound (you know, not quite a scratching sound…something much more quiet and tentative), in my bedroom one night. When I was fully awake, I stayed very still in more »

Share
Posted in Animal Behavior, Articles, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, News, People and Nature, Spiders and Insects, Summer | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Nature Minute video: The Sordid Lives of the White-throated Sparrow

Biologist Kelly Rypkema introduces us to a secret benefit to birdwatching – dating advice. Trouble viewing? Watch on YouTube instead.

Share
Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, Spring, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Whazzat Bird?

While photographing the first flush of spring, I was surprised to find this bird in my viewfinder. I think of them more as a woodland bird, but here he was smushed in the confines of my tiny city park. Maybe more »

Share
Posted in Animal Behavior, Animals, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mating and Courtship, Nature by the Seasons, News, Photos, Spring | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Nature Minute video: Woodpeckers leave their mark on NYC – and feed city wildlife

Without leaves to block our view, winter is an excellent time to take a peek into the lives of city animals and see the daily challenges they face. One type of woodpecker has drilled very distinctive designs throughout NYC’s parks more »

Share
Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Trees, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ask the Naturalist: Why do Hummingbirds Like Sapsuckers? A Nature Minute Video

If one species of animal can love another, then surely hummingbirds love sapsuckers. Find out why in this short video annotation. And see our episode: “Woodpeckers leave their mark on NYC” for the full story.

Share
Posted in Animal Behavior, Birds, Communication, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Spiders and Insects, Trees, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

School Greens: Garden in the Sky

Students from the School Greens Club at North Star Academy are on a mission to educate their school and community about healthy eating and more sustainable sources of food. But first they have to educate themselves. Host Kelly Rypkema follows more »

Share
Posted in Animals, Birds, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mammals, People and Nature, Plants, Rocks and Earth, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Free Lunch

This episode of “Around the Town,” companion series to “Nature in a NY Minute,” takes an up-close look at a lucky squirrel dining al fresco on some tasty-looking leftovers — until an unwelcome guest drops by for a visit.

Share
Posted in Animals, Fall, Habitats of City Wildlife, Mammals, Nature by the Seasons, Predators and Prey, Spring, Summer, Videos, Winter | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off