News from Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates Counties

Region 8 Hosting Two Inclusive, Family-Friendly Events in April

April 13: Free Birding for All Ages and Abilities at Braddock Bay Park 

Region 8 and partners are holding an inclusive, family-friendly birding event on April 13 at Braddock Bay Park, Rochester, Monroe County. People of all ages, abilities, and experiences with birding are welcome at this event. Some adaptive equipment will be on-hand for use.

DEC will provide information about the I Bird NY program, New York State Birding Trail, and the 2023 I Bird NY Challenge. Volunteers with Braddock Bay Raptor Research, Genesee Valley Audubon Society, and Rochester Birding Association will lead groups through a loop of birding locations around the Donald Schlieter Pavilion. Information, tools, and birding resources will be provided by these partners, and The Birdhouse will have additional tools and resources available. This inclusive birding event is supported by Rochester Accessible Adventures, which will also have staff and volunteers on site.

What: Learn Birdwatching
Where: Braddock Bay Park, 199 E. Manitou Road, Rochester, NY 14612
When: April 13, 2023, 5:30 – 7 p.m.

There are accessible restrooms and parking at Schlieter Pavilion. Participants should be prepared for the weather. A limited number of binoculars and monoculars will be available for use at the event. Pathways from the parking lot to the lodge are paved; pathways to the observation deck and platform are packed stone/grass; steepest inclines are three to five percent. Instructors encourage birding through use of both sight and sound senses. Volunteers will be on hand to assist first-time birders and those who may need assistance on the pathways. Seated birding options are available.

Contact DEC Region 8’s Inclusion Coordinator Gretchen Cicora at (607) 776-2165.

April 16: Free Fishing for All Ages and Abilities at Cobbs Hill Park

Region 8 and the City of Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Human Services are holding an inclusive, family-friendly fishing event on April 16 at Cobbs Hill Park in Rochester, Monroe County. People of all ages, abilities, and experiences are welcome to attend and adaptive equipment will be available for use. DEC fisheries biologists and Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) will be assisting first-time anglers and others who may need assistance.

What: Learn to Fish
Where: Cobbs Hill Park – Lake Riley Lodge, 80 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14620
When: April 16, 2023, from 1 – 4 p.m.

Contact DEC Region 8 Environmental Educator, Betsy Ukeritis, at (315) 314-0768 for more information.

Naples Fish Survey Results

Region 8 fisheries staff sampled Naples Creek, in Ontario County, on March 23. Sampling included netting Rainbow Trout and recording the fish’s length, weight, gender, and spawning condition. Fisheries staff collected 48 Rainbow Trout; this is an average catch for DEC.

There were 20 males caught. Only seven of the 28 females were ripe, or ready to spawn and release their eggs, this indicates that the spawning run will last a little longer, which is good news for anglers this trout season.