Wildlife, Fish & Marine Life Newsletter

Feed Wild Birds Safely and Responsibly

For many birdwatchers in New York, November 30th is an important date: the day that backyard bird feeders can go back up. To avoid conflicts with bears, DEC highly recommends only feeding birds from November 30 to April 1. There are many natural sources of winter food for birds including birch catkins, spruce and fir cones, dried seed heads from native grasses and flowers, and lingering fruits on plants. Bird feeders can supplement these natural foods and may attract more birds to your yard. A simple tube feeder with black oil sunflower seed is a great place to start. Depending on where you live, you might expect to see chickadees, nuthatches, juncos, and goldfinches. Adding suet is a sure bet to draw in woodpeckers. To provide a source of water, try installing a birdbath heater or bubbler and regularly refreshing the water.

If you are drawing wild birds into your yard with feeders, try these tips to keep birds safe:

• providing nearby cover such as evergreen trees, native shrubs, or even discarded Christmas trees;
• placing feeders away from windows and making windowpanes bird-safe with screens, netting, decals, or vertical tape;
• regularly cleaning feeders to avoid spreading disease;
• securely storing bird seed indoors;
• keeping cats indoors;
• feeding pets inside to avoid inadvertently attracting feral cats, rodents, or other wildlife; and
• taking down feeders in the spring to avoid bear conflicts.

Photo of evening grosbeaks by Katherine Yard.

Watchable Wildlife: Harbor Seals

New York’s most abundant seal is the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), which can be found in the state’s marine waters from late fall to late spring. Harbor seals can range in color from brown, tan, or gray to silvery-white. The best time to watch for seals is during the day. Good places to look for seals are Fire Island National Seashore or Montauk Point State Park. Please do not disturb seals if you see them resting along the shore. Bring your binoculars and you may be rewarded with the sight of a seal resting in a rocky area.

If you suspect a seal is sick or injured, please call the New York Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829 to report the animal.

Photo by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Purchase a $5 Habitat and Access Stamp to Help Improve Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Consider purchasing a $5.00 Habitat/Access Stamp to help conserve and improve fish and wildlife habitat. The 2022-23 Habitat & Access Stamp features an Eastern (red-spotted) newt. The Habitat & Access Stamp was created in 2002 by Legislation. All funds from the purchase of Habitat & Access Stamps are directly deposited into the DEC Habitat and Access Account. It is used for ongoing and upcoming projects aimed towards conserving habitat and increasing fish and wildlife recreational access.

A donation of $5 is all that is required to help invest in the future of New York's outdoor recreational opportunities!

Conservationist Magazine -- Holiday Special

Enjoy reading about New York's environment and conservation? Consider a subscription to the New York State Conservationist -- DEC’s magazine with interesting articles and stunning photography. Check out the Holiday Subscription Special which runs until December 31st. You can subscribe, renew, or give a gift. Buy now and pay later. You will be billed and only checks or money orders are accepted at this time. Conservationist makes a great gift to yourself or another outdoor enthusiast!