Blue Crabs, A Giant Oyster, and a Red-Winged Blackbird Hitches A Ride on a Bald Eagle

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 08/07/2018 11:25 AM EDT
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measuring a blue crab caught near Newburgh by Amanda HiggsHudson RiverNet

Monitoring Blue Crabs

a fisheries biologist pulls a crab pot out of the Hudson River

Every summer and fall, Hudson River Fisheries biologists tag blue crabs to learn more about their seasonal movement. DEC asks anglers to call 845-256-3009 when they capture a tagged crab and report the tag number and location where they caught the crab. Crabs travel south to New York Harbor to overwinter and are able to cover a surprising amount of distance. Last year, one crab traveled 89 miles over 266 days from where it was tagged near Chelsea, New York to the mouth of the Raritan River in New Jersey.

For more information, please visit the Guide to Hudson River Fish and Blue Crab Tags.

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Large Oyster Found in New York Harbor

giant oyster found under Pier 40 in New York Harbor; courtesy The River ProjectA construction worker repairing a piling below Pier 40 in New York Harbor discovered a 'giant' oyster and brought it to researchers at the nearby The River Project, a marine science field station in Hudson River Park. Workers weighed it there, and it clocked in at more than 610 grams (around 1.3 pounds) and measured 8.5 inches long. The wild oyster is not edible. 

Oysters are filter feeders; they feed on algae in the river and can help improve the ecosystem of estuary waters. They also provide structure and habitat for hundreds of species, including crabs and fishes. With cleaner water in the harbor, oysters are returning and settling in small numbers.

The River Project offers hands-on education programs, live exhibits, and research internships.

Red-Winged Blackbird Hitches a Ride on a Bald Eagle

Red-winged blackbird riding on a bald eagleIt is common to see red-winged blackbirds interacting with bald eagles, frequently harrassing new fledglings. However in early July, photographer and naturalist Bob Rightmyer spotted this male red-winged blackbird calmly riding on the back of an immature bald eagle from nest NY62 in Poughkeepsie. 

Mr. Rightmyer's photo and observation was included in the Hudson River Almanac, a weekly natural history journal that covers the Hudson River, from the High Peaks of the Adirondacks to New York Harbor. The Almanac is compiled and edited by Tom Lake and e-mailed weekly by DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program. Share your own observations by e-mailing them to trlake7@aol.com. To subscribe to the Almanac, use the links on DEC's Hudson River Almanac or DEC Delivers webpages.

Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count

children looking at fish netted during the Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count

Join us for the Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count on Saturday, August 11th! Don waders and help haul in a net or try your luck with a fishing rod. This family-friendly event is free at 19 locations along the Hudson. For details on sites, locations and times, please visit DEC’s website.The event is sponsored by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program.