Wildlife, Fish, and Marine Life Newsletter

Bald Eagle Viewing in Winter

Winter is a great time to view bald eagles in New York State. Viewing from a safe distance and at planned observation sites can offer an exhilarating and memorable experience. Wintering eagles begin arriving in December and concentrations peak in January and February. Most are heading back to their nests by mid-March.

The Hudson River, the Upper Delaware River watershed, and sections of the St. Lawrence River are great places to view bald eagles in the winter. DEC maintains two well-marked viewing areas in the Mongaup Valley on the Rio and Mongaup Falls reservoirs.

The following tips will help you to have the best possible experience:

• Use binoculars or spotting scopes instead of trying to get a little closer.
• Don't do anything to try to make the bird fly.
• Respect private property, and avoid restricted areas.
• Scan the tree line for eagles that are perched in the tree tops.
• Look overhead for eagles soaring high in the sky.
• Arrive early (7 a.m.- 9 a.m.) or stay late (4 p.m. - 5 p.m.), when eagles are most active.
• Be patient – this is the key to successful viewing.

Warning: Harassing, disturbing, or injuring a bald eagle is illegal.

DEC to Discuss Managing Wildlife on Three Northern New York Wildlife Management Areas

DEC will host a virtual public presentation to share details about three completed habitat management plans for Collins Landing Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Fish Creek WMA, and Swallow Bluffs WMA on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.

The event will feature a 60-minute presentation that discusses the WMAs’ histories, habitat goals, and planned management actions, followed by a question-and-answer period. This presentation will also be recorded and made available to the public afterward.

Registration is required for the online presentation. Type your questions into the chat box during the presentation, or send questions via email. Please contact Erik Latremore at (315) 785-6457 with any specific requests for accommodations.

View the habitat management plans and see what activities you can do at these properties by clicking on the links above.

Photo by James Canevari.

State Lands to Visit: Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area

Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area (MUA) is located in the Town of Middlebury, in Wyoming County. The 2,500-acre property contains a mixture of grassland, agricultural land, shrubland, and forest, as well as several ponds and two creeks. This diversity of habitat provides good food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. The MUA supports birds such as Cooper’s hawk, northern harrier, grasshopper sparrow, blue-winged warbler, Henslow’s sparrow, yellow-breasted chat, pied-billed grebe, black-billed cuckoo, and horned lark. New York State designated the MUA as a Bird Conservation Area in 2006.

The area provides incredible opportunities for a variety of recreationists. Visitors can enjoy hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Mountain bike riding and horseback riding are allowed; however, these uses are limited by date restrictions and are only permitted on specifically-marked trails.

Individuals with disabilities can apply for a permit through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities to use an ATV on Trail #1, on the north side of West Middlebury Road, and Trail #2, on the south side of West Middlebury Road.

Read more about Carlton Hill MUA in the December 2020/January 2021 issue of the Conservationist (PDF).