Wildlife, Fish, and Marine Life Newsletter

Watch the Skies for Spring Bird Migrations

Spring is an ideal time to observe bird migrations. New York is conveniently located along the Atlantic Flyway, one of the main migration routes. This gives you a great opportunity to observe birds flying to their summer breeding grounds.

Grab your binoculars and check out one of these hot spots:

• Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne counties – a stopover for many species of ducks who are headed farther north. You can see shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds at this WMA.
• Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Cayuga and Seneca counties – an endless list of birds can be seen here.
• Braddock Bay WMA, Monroe County – find waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds.
• Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Genesee and Orleans counties – see many species of waterfowl.
• Derby Hill Bird Observatory, Oswego County – known for migrating hawks.
• Bashakill WMA, Orange County – view hawks, marshbirds, and waterfowl.
• Central Park, NYC – see warblers, in addition to many other species.

View a list of Important Bird Areas and Bird Conservation Areas, which are also great areas to view birds.

Be on the Lookout for Amphibians Crossing the Road

With the arrival of spring temperatures, amphibians have begun their annual migrations to woodland pools to breed. Often, they must cross roads to reach these pools. In New York, this migration usually occurs on rainy nights in late March and early April, when the night air temperature is above 40◦F.

When these conditions exist, there can be explosive, "big night" migrations, with hundreds of amphibians on the move. Volunteers can help document these locations and help amphibians like wood frogs, spotted salamanders, American toads, or spring peepers safely cross the road. Drivers on New York roads are encouraged to proceed with caution or avoid travel on the first warm, rainy evenings of the season. Amphibians come out after nightfall and are slow moving. Mortality can be high even on low-traffic roads.

Watch a video about amphibian migration.

Photo by Sandy Van Vranken.

Trout Season Opens April 1

Although the opener is traditionally met with snow, high flows and cold temperatures, April 1 is nonetheless the opening day for trout and salmon fishing throughout the State of New York and an indication that spring is just around the corner. Look for best fishing in more temperate areas of New York including Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley and southwestern New York. DEC has a number of new publications that will prove helpful to those new to trout fishing. The I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing with Synthetic Bait describes a very effective technique to catch early season trout in ponds. The I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing in Streams (PDF) provides good information for those who prefer trout fishing in moving waters. 

Each year, DEC stocks over 1,200 waters with trout and salmon.  Visit DEC's website for the planned listing of 2019 stockings by county.

Looking for a place to fish? Review the 2019 Coldwater Fishing Forecast.