Wildlife, Fish & Marine Life Newsletter

Get Outdoors and Participate in the Annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a fun event for bird watchers of all ages and abilities, from beginners to experts. The GBBC will be held Friday, February 17, through Monday, February 20, 2023. To help, you will need to count the birds you see or hear for at least 15 minutes (or longer if you wish) for one or more days of the four-day event. You can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world. For more information visit the GBBC website.

Photo of Northern cardinal by John Mack.

Watchable Wildlife: Great Horned Owl

Now may be a good time to see great horned owls (Bubo virginianus). They are year-round residents but start sitting in their nests as early as January or February. Great horned owls are large birds (adults can be 18-25 inches in length) and have large ear tufts on their head and large yellow eyes. Their feathers are usually a mix of colors: white, reddish-brown, gray, and black, with a white patch on their throat.

Great horned owls can be found throughout New York state in a variety of habitats, such as forests or fields, near cliffs, and even around suburban or urban areas. They are most active at night, especially dusk and dawn, but sometimes hunt during the day. Listen for their distinctive “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” call.

Photo of juvenile great horned owl by D. Arlene Bonnett.

Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Training Opportunities

Volunteer trainings start this week for the Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Project (AM&RC). AM&RC is a project of the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University. The Dutchess County session has a waiting list, but there is still space in the Rensselaer County and online sessions. Thanks to Teatown, an AM&RC Project Partner, there will also be an in-person training in Westchester County offered by their staff on February 15. All trainings are free, but registration is required. Registration links can be found below.

In-person AM&RC Training

In-person workshops will cover data collection and project methods, amphibian identification, tips for a safe and rewarding volunteer experience, and a "mock" migration to practice what you've learned. Note that space is limited, and priority will be given to volunteers from the Hudson estuary watershed, especially those who have not attended an in-person program before.

• Thursday, February 16, 6:00 - 8:30 pm in Millbrook, Dutchess County
  (Snow date: February 23) Offered in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County (full with waiting list).
• Saturday, February 18, 9:30 am -12 pm in Averill Park, Rensselaer County
  (Snow date: February 25) Offered in partnership with Rensselaer Plateau Alliance and Rensselaer Land Trust.

In-person AM&RC Training at Teatown

• Wednesday, February 15, 6:00 - 9:00 pm in Ossining, Westchester County
  Offered by Teatown, an AM&RC Project Partner.

Virtual AM&RC Training

• Tuesday, February 28, at 5:00 - 6:30 pm
  This online session will include an overview of how to volunteer, data collection methods (including a demo on how to submit data on Survey123), tips for a safe and rewarding volunteer experience, and review of confusing species and commonly asked questions.

Photo of AM&RC volunteer training at Teatown in 2019.