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nature

Ephemeral Wildflowers: Brief Beauties of the Forest Floor

May 15, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

mixed patch of spring ephemeralsHave you spotted some of spring’s first wildflowers in the forest? This is the time when the famously fleeting flowers called spring ephemerals bloom – but only for a brief period of time. [Read more…] about Ephemeral Wildflowers: Brief Beauties of the Forest Floor

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: nature, pollinators, Spring, wildflowers, Wildlife

Be Alert for Turtles Crossing the Road

May 14, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

painted turtle by Liz RicciNative turtles are on the move in May and June seeking sandy areas or loose soil to lay their eggs. In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when they are struck by vehicles as they migrate to their nesting areas.      [Read more…] about Be Alert for Turtles Crossing the Road

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: nature, Spring, turtles, Wildlife

The Horaltic Pose: Sunbathing Birds

May 14, 2022 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

turkey vulture courtesy Wikimedia user Peter K BurianOne cold spring morning, a turkey vulture soared across the sky and landed high in a tree behind my house. I soon noticed another vulture, most likely its mate, in a nearby oak.

This one was perched with its back to the sun and its gigantic wings outspread. It remained in place, giving me a good look at its impressive wingspan – nearly 6 feet – and the light filtering through its long, silvery wingtips, or “fingers.” [Read more…] about The Horaltic Pose: Sunbathing Birds

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: birding, birds, nature, Science, Turkey Vultures, Wildlife

May is American Wetlands Month

May 14, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

spring peeper by John LehmannNew York State is home to over two million acres of freshwater wetlands. Freshwater wetlands are lands typically covered with water, are very wet, but are not connected to the ocean or estuary.

Freshwater wetlands have many different names including bogs, swamps, marshes, vernal pools, potholes, and fens. May is American Wetlands Month. [Read more…] about May is American Wetlands Month

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation Tagged With: nature, water quality, wetlands, Wildlife

Central-Finger Lakes Segment of Statewide Birding Trail Opens

May 14, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

bird watchers courtesy DECNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the grand opening of the Central-Finger Lakes segment of the New York State Birding Trail to highlight the state’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities.

The Central-Finger Lakes segment includes 54 locations throughout 15 counties, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. [Read more…] about Central-Finger Lakes Segment of Statewide Birding Trail Opens

Filed Under: Mohawk Valley, Nature, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: birding, birds, Cayuga County, Chenango County, Cortland County, DEC, Finger Lakes, High Tor WMA, Lake Ontario, Livingston County, Madison County, Monroe County, Montezuma National Wildelife Refuge, nature, New York State Birding Trail, Oneida County, Onondaga County, Ontario County, Oswego County, Otsego County, Seneca County, Tompkins County, Wayne County, Wildlife, Yates County

Spring Chores: Sanitize Your Bird Feeder

May 13, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

bird feeder courtesy of K. HillDEC recommends cleaning your bird feeders at this time of year.

Two diseases are commonly spread at bird feeders are Salmonellosis, which affects common redpolls, pine siskins, and other songbirds; and, Finch conjunctivitis which primarily infects house finches and American goldfinches. [Read more…] about Spring Chores: Sanitize Your Bird Feeder

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation Tagged With: birding, birds, nature, Spring, Wildlife

Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area Comments Sought

May 10, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Ashland Flats Wildlife Management AreaThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a draft Access and Public Use Plan (APUP) for the Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for public review and comment.

Ashland Flats WMA contains 2,028 acres of primarily open meadows, and second-growth and young forests in Jefferson County east of Lake Ontario. [Read more…] about Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area Comments Sought

Filed Under: Nature, Western NY Tagged With: Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area, DEC, Jefferson County, nature

New Whelk Regulations Effective May 11

May 8, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Long Island Sound Management RegionEffective May 11th, 2022, the minimum size limit for whelk (sea snails) is 5½ inches shell length or 2¼ inches shell height for all marine waters of New York State except Long Island Sound Region (LIS). [Read more…] about New Whelk Regulations Effective May 11

Filed Under: Food, Nature, New York City, Recreation Tagged With: DEC, Long Island, Long Island Sound, nature, Whelk, Wildlife

Global Bird Populations Steadily Declining

May 7, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Corn Bunting by Alex LeesStaggering declines in bird populations are taking place around the world. So concludes a study from scientists at multiple institutions, recently published in the journal Annual Review of Environment and Resources.

Loss and degradation of natural habitats and direct over-exploitation of many species are cited as the key threats to avian biodiversity. Climate change is identified as an emerging driver of bird population declines. [Read more…] about Global Bird Populations Steadily Declining

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: birding, birds, Climate Change, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, nature, Science, Wildlife

Striped Maple: Food & Shelter in the Forest Understory

May 7, 2022 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

Striped maple growing at the edge of a forest with pine and hickory in the background courtesy Wikimedia user N3362 Beneath the forest canopy, or overstory, of towering trees is a second layer of vegetation known as the understory. It is composed of shrubs, saplings, and understory trees that grow in the dappled shade of the overstory.

One understory specialist is striped maple, a small tree that seldom grows more than 20 feet high and 8 inches in circumference. Despite its moderate stature, striped maple plays an important ecological role in the forest, providing shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. [Read more…] about Striped Maple: Food & Shelter in the Forest Understory

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: Forestry, Maple Trees, nature, trees

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