Nesting season for Diamondback Terrapins, which are often seen wandering the footpaths at the Marine Nature Study Area (NY), sometimes trying to dig nests on the footpaths. These are the only North American turtles that inhabit brackish waters, although they can tolerate both fresh water and full salt water. While their range is extensive -- the Atlantic and Gulf coasts -- it is limited to a narrow coastal strip, which is seriously affected by capitalogenic habitat loss (especially coastal development and sea-level rise). The IUCN lists them as Vulnerable.

#nature #naturephotography #naturecommunity #biodiversity #biodiversitydecline #testudines #turtle #reptile #wildlife #wildlifephotography #saltmarsh

Break your heart with "The Animals Are Leaving" by Charles Harper https://www.americanlifeinpoetry.org/columns/detail/203.

#poetry #poem #poems #TodaysPoem #PoemADay #conservation #animals #extinction #Nature #biodiversity #BiodiversityDecline

Yes, I worry a lot about this.

#insects #BiodiversityDecline #InsectDecline #arthropods #environment

Even untouched ecosystems are losing insects at alarming rates, new study finds https://phys.org/news/2025-09-untouched-ecosystems-insects-alarming.html

A Sweeping New Report Shows U.S. Birds Declining Sharply Across a Range of Habitats

Scientists checked in on species all over the country for the latest State of the Birds report. Nearly everywhere they looked, birds were struggling—including some that have been resilient in the past.

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/sweeping-new-report-shows-us-birds-declining-sharply-across-range-habitats

#biodiversity #extinction #biodiversitydecline #birds #wildlife #aviandecline

#BiodiversityDecline reversal??? Even only stopping it appears a remote possibility.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241024-5-proven-ways-to-reverse-biodiversity-loss

Some more yard-birds, today. I WAS going to go with my local Audubon crew on a walk at Jones Beach, where I MIGHT have observed a Dickcissel, American Pipit, Vesper Sparrow and Red-headed Woodpecker. Instead, I turned the alarm off...

Oh, well... I caught some nice views of some of the most common seasonal visitors to my yard and feeders. Except the Nuthatch. Not so common and a temporary resident.

#nature #naturephotography #naturecommunity #biodiversity #biodiversitydecline #testudines #turtle #reptile #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Streetlights running all night makes leaves so tough that insects can't eat them, threatening the food chain

https://phys.org/news/2024-08-streetlights-night-tough-insects-threatening.html

#biodiversity #biodiversitydecline #plants #photosynthesis #lightpollution #anthropocene #urban #insects #insectextinction #evolution