History, Natural History & the Arts
Most of our northeastern snakes draw their coloring from the palette of earthly tones, coming in browns, grays, and yellows.
Some species have bright patterns that fade as the snake ages, and others have eye-catching yellow, red, or orange scales on the belly that are mostly hidden except when the snake feels threatened. [Read more…] about Smooth Green Snakes: Hidden Grassland Jewels
If you live near a large meadow, hayfield, or grassland, you may have recently noticed some bubbly robotic noises emanating from those areas. It might sound like an overexcited android, but the real source is a medium-sized songbird, the bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus).
One of the few avian grassland specialists in the Northeast, bobolinks have recently returned from their wintering grounds in southern South America and are now fully engaged in breeding activity. [Read more…] about Bobolink: The Grassland Bird in a Reverse Tuxedo
Are you looking for recommendations of native plants and trees to plant on your specific site? DEC and the New York Natural Heritage Program recently released a Species Selection Tool that provides a list of recommended native tree, shrub, and herbaceous plant species, including flowering species, ferns and herbs, to improve habitats, increase biodiversity, and benefit wildlife across New York State. [Read more…] about A New Native Species Selection Tool
One of the last and finest examples of alvar grasslands in the world, Chaumont Barrens Preserve is a one-of-a-kind destination in New York State.
Featuring a unique landscape with flat, rocky terrain of grasslands, limestone woodlands, cedar forests, pavement barrens, and globally rare plant communities, Chaumont Barrens is home to a mosaic of natural and remarkable wonders. [Read more…] about Watchable Wildlife: Chaumont Barrens Preserve
In April 2024, AdkAction, a non-profit environmental conservation and community development organization, was awarded a grant through DEC’s Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Grant Program. AdkAction will use the grant funds to convert an eight-acre grassland located on a capped landfill to a native pollinator habitat. [Read more…] about Capped Adirondack Landfill Becoming Native Pollinator Habitat
While grasses are getting greener and flowers are blooming, New Yorkers, high on many people’s priorities is pulling out their mower and beginning the summer-long cycle of mowing their fields or larger lawns. However, the timing of mowing can have significant impacts on a variety of bird species.
Small grassland songbirds nest on, or close to, the ground in grassy and shrubby fields. Mowing and bush-hogging during the spring and early summer can destroy nests and remove the habitat required to successfully raise their young. [Read more…] about Mowing Practices to Benefit Ground-Nesting Birds
The Finger Lakes National Forest is New York’s only National Forest. “Whether to hike, ski, or admire the fall foliage, diverse recreation opportunities draw in visitors year-round,” says the U.S. Forest Service website.
The Trump regime is planning to cut down more of the Finger Lakes National Forest in order to reach a goal of increasing United States timber production by 25%. “All relevant agencies shall eliminate, to the maximum extent permissible by law, all undue delays within their respective permitting processes related to timber production,” Trump’s Executive Order says. [Read more…] about Trump Seeks Increased Logging of Finger Lakes National Forest
Northern pintails (Anas acuta) are dabbling ducks, feeding on the surface of the water by filtering out seeds and insects. They nest on the ground in open habitats like unwooded wetlands, grasslands or tundra, relying on camouflaged plumage to protect their eggs. [Read more…] about Northern Pintails: Incredible Fliers
Point Peninsula Wildlife Management Area is located in Lyme, on Lake Ontario in Jefferson County, NY, and includes 1,086 acres comprised primarily of grasslands, divided by Beach, South Shore, and Pine Woods roads. It also contains a natural wetland complex consisting of emergent marsh, shrub/scrub swamp, and floodplain forest. [Read more…] about Unusual Birds at Point Peninsula on Lake Ontario
The Western New York Land Conservancy has protected an additional 38.3 acres on Grand Island. Grand Island is the largest island in the Niagara River and the third largest in New York State.
In recent years, Grand Island has fielded a number of development requests. This property will be maintained by the Land Conservancy and be known as the Jim and Edna Braddell Preserve. [Read more…] about Land Conservancy Purchases 40-Acre Grand Island Property
Halloween is long past, but you may notice devilish figures hanging out in scrubby fields and open areas this winter: horned larks.
These birds are North America’s only true lark species. They reside year-round in parts of the Northeast, such as the Champlain Valley, but disperse across the region more widely in winter, when the stark landscape makes them easier to spy. [Read more…] about Horned Larks Enliven Sleeping Fields
The National Wildlife Refuge System began on March 14, 1904, when President Theodore Roosevelt established the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Since then the system has expanded to include more than 570 different refuges. There are 13 National Wildlife Refuges in New York State: two in Western New York, two in the Lower Hudson Valley/Catskills region, and nine on Long Island. [Read more…] about National Wildlife Refuges in New York State: A Guide
Not far from my parents’ house in Wellfleet, MA is the pedestrian-accessible Great Island. Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, it draws both hikers and birders. My mother, an enthusiastic birder herself, says the birds most commonly seen there at this time of year are migratory waterfowl (Red-breasted mergansers, White-winged scoters and Common loons) as well as shore birds such as the Black-bellied plover, the Greater yellowlegs and the Sanderling.
Last October however, a young scientist-turned-science writer named William von Herff, spotted an Eastern meadowlark. [Read more…] about Washington County Grasslands Winter Birds
A draft Access and Public Use Plans (APUP) for John White Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the town of Alabama, Genesee County, is available for public comment.
The draft plan addresses management objectives for wildlife-dependent recreation, access features, and facility maintenance. [Read more…] about John White Wildlife Management Area Plans Open For Comment
Grassland habitat is in decline in New York State, which is key to the survival of grassland breeding songbirds, such as bobolink, Eastern meadowlark, and savannah sparrow. [Read more…] about How Landowners Can Help Grassland Breeding Birds
In July, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has acquired the historic 90-acre Osterhoudt Flats property that is expected to host a multi-use community trail in the Town of Marbletown, Ulster County, NY. OSI purchased the 90-acre property on Atwood Road from landowners Claude and Holly Osterhoudt. [Read more…] about Ulster County’s Historic ‘Osterhoudt Flats’ Protected; New Trail Planned
Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area is an expanse of grasslands, marshes, and open water, just west of Rochester on the south shore of Lake Ontario. [Read more…] about Watchable Wildlife: Braddock Bay (Monroe County)
New York State Forest Rangers joined local firefighters from multiple fire companies to fight numerous wildfires in New York State on Sunday as careless campfires and debris burning combined with dry conditions. About 40 acres were burned in three locations in Washington, Fulton and Herkimer Counties. [Read more…] about NYS Forest Rangers Battle Numerous Wildfires Exacerbated By Dry Conditions
A newly released State of the Birds Report for the United States reveals a tale of two trends, one hopeful, one dire. Long-term trends of waterfowl show strong increases where investments in wetland conservation have improved conditions for birds and people. But data show birds in the United States are declining overall in every other habitat — forests, grasslands, deserts, and oceans. [Read more…] about Dire News From 2022 State of the Birds Report
“Witchity, witchity, witchity.” I know that common yellowthroats have returned to my neighborhood in spring when I hear that distinctive song. With luck, I’ll glimpse the striking male as he darts about the shrubbery.
The common yellowthroat is one of North America’s most abundant warblers, nesting across Canada and the United States, including Alaska. Male yellowthroats return to the breeding grounds before females and begin defending territories. [Read more…] about Common Yellowthroats: Masked Bandits
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