Wildlife, Fish & Marine Life Newsletter

Species Profile: Great Egret

Meet the Great Egret—a wading bird found in marshes and wetlands. It often holds its neck in an "S" shape. From that position, it can lunge its head forward at lightning speed and strike prey with its long bill.

These birds are only in New York during the summer. Considering adding this beauty to your birding bucket list? Head to one of the NYS Birding Trail locations near water this summer and you might get lucky and see one! Find Birding Trail locations and birding tips on DEC’s New York State Birding webpage.

Photo of great egret by Dori Stathopoulos.

Burbot - Not Getting a Whole "Lota" Love

During ice fishing season, it can be apparent that burbot (Lota lota) are not a fan favorite of some anglers, as far too often they can be seen discarded on the ice after they’ve been caught. Maybe it’s because they’ve gotten a bad rap for preying on more desirable sportfish species, or maybe they’re being misidentified as the invasive northern snakehead.

Regardless, burbot are one of the most unique freshwater fish species that calls New York home. With their long slender bodies, double dorsal (top) fins, flattened head, and single barbel (whisker) on their “chin,” they are not what you’d typically expect to see at the end of your fishing line. If you think they resemble Atlantic cod, you won’t be surprised to know that they’re the only freshwater member of the Cod Family and as such, also make a great meal. As predators, burbot play an important ecological role in the predator-prey balance of healthy native fish communities.

Here in New York, burbot are found in cool water areas of deeper lakes, such as Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Canandaigua Lake, Otsego Lake, Lake Champlain, and Oneida Lake, as well as upper reaches of the Susquehanna and Alleghany Rivers and tributaries of the St. Lawrence River. Because they spawn over shoals during the winter months, they’re usually encountered more by ice anglers, but are caught occasionally in open water. Burbot are at the southern edge of their range in New York and are vulnerable to the effects of climate change over time, so the fact that they’re still here is a good sign.

Watch Out for Whales in New York's Waters

Humpback whales are the most common whale seen in New York’s waters. The Atlantic Ocean humpback whale population has been increasing in recent years and they were federally delisted as Endangered in 2016. More humpback whales have been observed overwintering in our nearshore waters, likely due to factors related to climate change, increased food abundance, and improved water quality.

Vessel strikes and gear entanglement are the most significant threats to whales along New York’s shores and were the cause of many recent whale deaths. DEC, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmoshperic Administration (NOAA) and its stranding response partners, strives to respond to all whale stranding and mortality events to collect data and biological samples from the animal. If you come across a stranded marine mammal in New York, remain a safe and legal distance from the animal, and immediately call the New York Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829 to report its location.

NOAA Fisheries administers vessel speed reduction zones which include both mandatory and voluntary speed reduction areas for vessels to reduce the likelihood of deaths and serious injuries to critically endangered North Atlantic right whales that result from collisions with vessels. All boaters from Maine to Virginia, or interested parties, can sign up for email or text notifications about the latest Right Whale Slow Zones and Seasonal Management Areas. Slow Zones provide added protection to all large whales and marine mammals.

Additionally, reports of marine mammal and sea turtle sightings from the public are crucial to helping the response team collect vital information about our local marine animal populations. Please send your sightings of marine mammals and sea turtles by email to Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. The more information you can provide, the better!