It is traditional backwoods wisdom to avoid getting between a mother and her babies, and while this advice usually pertains to the black bear, it could also apply to several other forms of wildlife.
In late spring many infants are emerging from the safety of their den or nest and most mothers try to provide some form of protection from potential danger to their babies. Perhaps the most remarkable display of parental courage for a creature of its size is seen in the hen ruffed grouse. This bird will aggressively confront and challenge any human that happens to come too close to its recently hatched chicks. [Read more…] about Encountering Angry Ruffed Grouse Hens In Spring
As spring arrives, so do… bats? Like many other naturalists, I spend lots of time during this season looking for migrating salamanders and blossoming bloodroot.
NYS Environmental Conservation Officers Alexander Shea and Brendan Dickson reported that they responded to a complaint about raccoon cubs being kept in an apartment in Manhattan on April 29th.
Spending time outdoors in the Adirondacks during spring is a rewarding experience, as the sounds that emanate from our forests, especially in the early morning, are sure to delight.
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are probably the most recognized of all broadleaf ‘weeds.’
According to a report issued by DEC, in the early morning hours of May 4th, a young male bear wandered into the city of Poughkeepsie near Mansion and North Hamilton streets. 
Prior to the start of black fly season in the Adirondacks, and continuing for several weeks after the swarms of those tiny, biting demons have faded, there is another 
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies has announced a virtual book chat via Zoom, with Cary forest ecologist Dr. Charlie Canham, set for Thursday, May 21st at 7 pm. 
One of the first spring wildflowers you’ll see – perhaps even before the last shaded patches of snow disappear – is the violet. This common flower, which blooms from April through June, is widely known and easily identified. 
Over the past decade, the number of fishers taken by trappers has declined in the Central Adirondacks, and since the harvest is often proportional to abundance, there is a believed to be a population decline in this area as well.