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Wildlife

James Eights: An Albany Artist-Scientist Who Explored Antarctica in 1830

May 15, 2022 by Peter Hess 1 Comment

portrait of James EightsIn the late 1700s and early 1800s, there were a growing number of adventurers anxious to explore the sea, find new lands, chart new islands, and if they made their fortune while doing it, all the better.

There were also those just trying to get away from home and signing on to a whaling ship seemed the adventure of a lifetime. [Read more…] about James Eights: An Albany Artist-Scientist Who Explored Antarctica in 1830

Filed Under: Arts, Capital-Saratoga, History, Nature Tagged With: Albany, Albany County, Albany Institute For History and Art, Geography, Geology, James Eights, Marine Life, Maritime History, painting, Rensselaer County, RPI, Science History, Whaling, Wildlife

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

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

The Whitetail Deer Paddock in Saratoga’s Congress Park: Some History

May 2, 2022 by Dave Waite Leave a Comment

llustration by Prentiss Ingraham 1885 Saratoga Winter and SummerIt is difficult to imagine tame whitetail deer roaming freely through Congress Park in downtown Saratoga Springs, yet in its early years, it was both a common sight and an eagerly anticipated part of experiencing the city for both young and old.

It all began with a gift. [Read more…] about The Whitetail Deer Paddock in Saratoga’s Congress Park: Some History

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Saratoga County, Saratoga County History Center, Saratoga County History Roundtable, Saratoga Springs, whitetail deer, Wildlife

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