Sale of the Century!
Don't miss Conservationist magazine's upcoming Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale! It will be our best subscription deal in years, and will run from Black Friday, November 29, 2013, through the weekend up to and including Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013. Details will be announced soon.
The award-winning Conservationist informs and entertains readers through beautiful photography, captivating artwork and interesting feature articles about the Empire State's fish and wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Don't miss this opportunity. Be sure to visit our website at www.Theconservationist.org, and take advantage of our Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale.
Waterfowl Hunting on Long Island
Long Island has terrific waterfowl hunting opportunities, some of the best in the state. Many species migrate to Long Island or pass by on their way farther south. At one time or another, just about every species of duck common to New York can be found somewhere on the island, from salt-water marshes to fresh water lakes and ponds.
Long Island is a major wintering area for several species, and there is an abundance of Canada geese and plenty of mallards.
Hunting season for Canada Geese opens on November 28 for western Long Island. Other waterfowl season dates begin with youth days scheduled for November 9 and 10. Hunting for ducks, coots and mergansers begins November 28. Look for places to hunt on DEC's website.
Hike of the Month: Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center
Voorheesville (Albany County)
Located atop the Heldeberg Escarpment, the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center offers several miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Each of the trails is a relatively easy hike. The Lake Trail features a short trip to the shore of Thompson's Lake and is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Winding through woodlands and fossilized limestone, the one-mile School House Trail leads to a historic, one-room schoolhouse before looping around the edge of the woods. For serious hikers, the one-mile Meadow Loop Trail meanders through the woods and meadows and then links with the Salisbury Trail, the 356-mile Long Path Trail and the Thacher Park trail system.
On Saturday, November 9, there will be a hike to the schoolhouse, followed by a "lesson" and refreshments during "recess." It is appropriate for children ages 6 and older. Please call 518-872-0800 to register for this free program.
Watchable Wildlife: Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary
Rye (Westchester County)
Located on the shore of the Long Island Sound, the Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diversity of birds, including the great blue heron, snowy owl and red-necked grebe.
During the winter months, more than 5,000 ducks can be spotted on the 85-acre lake. A spotting scope will help find birds on Manursing Lake and the Long Island Sound.
The 179-acre sanctuary, designated an official Audubon Important Birding Area, also has interpretive trails through forests and fields, lookouts, a duck blind and a nature center.
Note: Access is through Playland. Park and walk through the gate, continuing 1/3-mile to the sanctuary.
Fall Colors in New York City
Every autumn, people flock to the Adirondacks and nearby Vermont to view blazing reds, oranges and golds among the northern forests. But did you know there are more than 1,700 public parks in New York City, with over 5.2 million trees?
For some great leaf-peeping opportunities in early November, visit Central Park's Literary Walk and Prospect Park's pond. Van Cortlandt Park is home to 80,000 trees, including oak, sweet gum and hickory.
Plenty of other activities take place throughout the city's parks in the fall, bird walks, nature hikes and fall foliage photography classes among them.
Covered Bridges of New York State
There are more than 200 historic covered bridges around New York located in quaint towns throughout most of the counties upstate. Spend a fall afternoon visiting some of these treasures from New York's past. Quiet villages, antique shops and farms can be found nearby and are perfect destinations for an afternoon hike or bike ride.
Learn more about the history of New York State's covered bridges on the "I Love NY" website, which includes a list of the bridges and their locations.
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