Wildlife, Fish, and Marine Life Newsletter
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 08/30/2021 10:19 AM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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Wildlife, Fish & Marine Life Newsletter |
Help Monarchs on their Long Migration SouthMonarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) begin their annual fall migration in mid-August. These butterflies are the great-great-grandchildren of the monarchs that migrated to Mexico last fall.
Check out a chart of when migration peaks in your area. Have you seen a small green pod about an inch long (see photo above)? This is a monarch caterpillar once it enters the pupa stage and is now in a chrysalis. If you see one, try not to disturb it. They will find a safe place - often under a milkweed leaf - to enter this stage in their development, which lasts about 9-14 days. Sometimes they will pupate hanging under eaves, decks, or other garden plants, sometimes even on window screens! Photo by Sandy Van Vranken. Recent Environmental Conservation Officer Reports of Wildlife RescuesIf at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again - Sullivan County Playing Chicken - Putnam County 'Dangerous Turtle' - Suffolk County What to do if you encounter a snapping turtle: Learn more about snapping turtles in the April 2017 Conservationist (PDF). Update on New Songbird IllnessIn the spring and summer of 2021, the public reported many deaths in young songbirds—common grackles, American robins, blue jays, and other species—in the mid-Atlantic states. It was thought to be a new disease, or syndrome. Birds had swollen crusty eyes and/or an inability to hop or fly. Scientists at several regional laboratories have not been able to find a common disease agent or toxin that is the same for these bird deaths. They have ruled out many likely possibilities however, including: West Nile Virus, finch conjunctivitis, Avian Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 (virus that causes COVID-19 in humans), Newcastle Disease, various fungi, bacteria, parasites and viruses, and common toxins—including many pesticides. So far, DEC has not documented any fledgling or adult birds in New York that fit the profile of this illness. We have received increased numbers of dead bird reports due to widespread media coverage, increased public awareness, and our own recommendations to report any suspicious bird deaths. Dead bird reports in the states where the illness was initially found have now decreased. We will continue to monitor our bird populations for signs of the illness and to stay informed on the status in other nearby states. For updates on this bird illness please visit DEC’s animal diseases webpage or Cornell's Wildlife Health Lab webpage. |