In March, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the latest population estimate for Bald Eagles. Some 316,000 eagles now cruise the skies in the Lower 48 — more than four times the previous estimate, from 2009. [Read more…] about Bald Eagle Numbers On The Rise
raptors
The Northern Harrier: One Unusual Hawk
Erie was perched on a sunny branch when I met her on a cold day in March. She turned her head this way and that to survey her surroundings at the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences (VINS).
She is a slender hawk, brown above, with a dark-streaked, buff breast and a long, barred tail. A ring of light-colored feathers surrounds her face, giving her a facial disc similar to that of an owl. [Read more…] about The Northern Harrier: One Unusual Hawk
Eagle Banded 26 Years Ago Spotted In Lewis County
It is an outstanding opportunity to see three American bald eagles devouring their lunch, but even more fantastic of an opportunity to be able to learn there’s more to the story. [Read more…] about Eagle Banded 26 Years Ago Spotted In Lewis County
Injured Hawk Gets a Helping Hand in Putnam County
Environmental Conservation Officer Crisafulli reported that an injured hawk was spotted off the Putnam County Bike Path in Brewster, Putnam County, NY. [Read more…] about Injured Hawk Gets a Helping Hand in Putnam County
Bald Eagle Viewing in Winter
Winter is a great time to view bald eagles in New York State. Viewing from a safe distance and at planned observation sites can offer an exhilarating and memorable experience. Wintering eagles began arriving in December and concentrations peak in January and February. Most are heading back to their nests by mid-March. [Read more…] about Bald Eagle Viewing in Winter
Rehabilitated Peregrine Falcons Released Near Shawangunk Ridge
The Open Space Institute, in coordination with research scientist and Cub Scout representative, Christopher Nadareski, released four rehabilitated peregrine falcons on OSI’s River-to-Ridge Trail.
The late summer release occurred following their rehabilitation at The Raptor Trust‘s Bird Rehabilitation and Education Center in Millington, New Jersey. Local Cub Scout and other trail users we also on hand. Peregrine falcons are known as the fastest bird for the ability to reach speeds over 200 mph while diving for prey. [Read more…] about Rehabilitated Peregrine Falcons Released Near Shawangunk Ridge
Broad-Winged Hawk Migrations
Each fall, thousands of broad-winged hawks soar across Northeastern skies in flocks known as kettles, on their way to wintering grounds in South and Central America.
The sky swirls with hawks bubbling up on thermals of hot air and then streaming southward. It is enough to take your breath away – all those raptors, more than you could imagine seeing in a lifetime, coursing across one stretch of sky together. [Read more…] about Broad-Winged Hawk Migrations
Rock Climbers Ticketed For Violating Falcon Closures
DEC Forest Ranger Sarah Bode cited two rock climbers April 11 for climbing on routes at Poke O Moonshine that are temporarily closed to protect peregrine falcon nesting sites.
Bode issued tickets for Failure to Obey a DEC sign, returnable in the Town of Keeseville. The tickets were written to a 31-year-old man from Bernardsville, New Jersey, and a 32-year-old woman from New York City. [Read more…] about Rock Climbers Ticketed For Violating Falcon Closures
A Century Ago: New York’s War on Animals
Beware! Pictured here are your adversaries – the official enemies of the state. Don’t be distracted by the pretty colors, lovely feathers, or furry critters. These are vermin, and citizens are urged to kill them at every opportunity.
The poster, by the way, represents only the top nine targets from a group of notorious killers, presented here alphabetically: bobcat, Cooper’s hawk, crow, English sparrow, goshawk, gray fox, great gray owl, great horned owl, house rat, “hunting” house cat, lynx, porcupine, red fox, red squirrel, sharp-shinned hawk, snowy owl, starling, weasel, and woodchuck. Kingfishers and a number of snakes were later added, and osprey were fair game as well. [Read more…] about A Century Ago: New York’s War on Animals
Birds in History: New York’s Snoring Eagles?
From a lifetime of experiences, and reading nature books since childhood, it’s true that I should know a little more about wildlife than the average Joe, but I lay no claim to being an expert. Learning something new is a principal reason for reading books, and of late, I’ve had occasion to indulge in several excellent Adirondack-related titles written between 1840 and 1920.
In one of them, a particular passage caused me to stop, backtrack, read it again, and then one more time in disbelief. Since other animal behavior described in the book held true, I supposed this one should as well, but I had reservations. Above all, one thing was certain: confirmation would be hilarious, at least to my thinking. The claim was that bald eagles snore. And not only that: they snore LOUDLY. Experienced guides and hunters claimed it to be true. [Read more…] about Birds in History: New York’s Snoring Eagles?