|
Watchable Wildlife: Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Around the turn of the 20th century, bird populations were declining, due in part to groups that competed to take the greatest number of wildlife, including birds, on Christmas Day. On that holiday in 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman proposed taking a census of birds instead of hunting them. Inspired by this new challenge, participants from the Northeast to Canada and California held 25 bird counts and recorded about 90 species combined.
The 115th Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will begin on Sunday, December 14, 2014 and continue through Monday, January 5, 2015. This event helps determine bird population trends and guide bird conservation.
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center will hold a New Year's Day Bird Count on Thursday, January 1 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Join bird experts from the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club and the Audubon Society of the Capital Region for the 34th annual New Year's Day survey. Seventy-one different species have been found at Five Rivers on Albany's First Morning.
Hike of the Month: Take a Holiday-Rush Break at Birdseye Hollow
Steuben County
A few miles southeast of Hammondsport and Keuka Lake, you'll find beautiful Birdseye Hollow State Forest. Here you can take an easy, relaxing hike, or, if snow falls early, snowshoe or cross-country ski on about eight miles of the Finger Lakes Trail. Leave the mall behind for a few hours and let Birdseye Hollow soothe your jangled nerves. As you pass icy forest streams, hear a drumming woodpecker, or startle a deer, the peaceful winter woods will help you temporarily forget your urgent holiday tasks. See DEC's Birdseye Hollow State Forest webpage for more information. For other attractions in the Corning and Southern Finger Lakes region, see the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau.
Gilbert Tract Cross-Country Ski Trail
Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, St. Lawrence County
This backcountry cross-country ski trail enters the woods under a northern hardwood forest canopy of beech, sugar maple, and yellow birch. Using primarily an existing system of abandoned logging roads, this new trail traverses slightly rolling terrain. It winds through several interesting habitats, with stream and wetland crossings on four bridges. Suitable for novice to intermediate cross-country skiers, this trail is also open to snowshoeing throughout the winter.
The trailhead is located on the east side of State Route 3 in the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, outside the hamlet of Cranberry Lake. The trail starts at a small parking area. After a short distance following yellow DEC cross-country ski trail markers, you'll reach a trail register. The Gilbert Tract ski trail is approximately 2.2 miles and can be done as a loop.
Winter Photography at Mariposa State Forest
Chenango and Madison Counties
In winter, photographers will find scenery and subjects to shoot at Mariposa State Forest, where access to many areas is made easier by the Finger Lakes Trail. With rolling hilltops and multiple streams, the forest comprises a mixture of native hardwoods and conifer plantations. Wildlife here include deer, turkey, grouse, woodcock, beaver, coyotes, red squirrels, mink, songbirds, pileated woodpeckers, hawks and owls.
If there's snow cover, trees and other vegetation will provide contrast, as will feathered and furred creatures that venture out in search of food. With patience and persistence, the images you capture on camera could transform an otherwise common sight into something remarkable.
Gift Subscriptions to the Conservationist
 This holiday season, consider giving friends and family a gift that shares your passion for New York's outdoors and environment. Conservationist magazine's dazzling photography showcases the unique beauty of each region of our state. Entertaining and informative articles shed light on everything from fishing, hunting, hiking and wildlife watching, to what New Yorkers are doing to preserve our priceless natural resources. A gift of the Conservationist is also a great way to connect a young person or teacher on your gift list to the wonders of New York.
So this year, for holidays and every occasion, give the gift of nature: gift subscriptions to the Conservationist.
Gift subscriptions are available online.
Want to Learn More?
Read these Conservationist articles to learn more about topics in this issue:
|
