General Electric is set to begin dredging PCBs Friday from a 6-mile section of the upper Hudson River after decades of negotiations and legal battles with government regulators. The Environmental Protection Agency will continue to oversee the $700 million clean-up project to extract the polychlorinated biphenyls – a probable carcinogen – from the riverbottom around Fort Edward. The work will take place about 175 miles north of the Tappan Zee Bridge and officials have said the dredging project is designed to limit PCBs flowing down river. If you want to see the company’s closeup view, try the project’s website

There were definitely three young bald eagles in the nest in Southeast this morning. Covered in brown feathers, the young birds were jostling around in the nest, while one of their parents sat in the tree above them.

Previously, I had wondered whether there were two or three young in the nest. In 2006, the Southeast pair raised one young, followed by three in 2007. Last year, they raised a pair. You can see some of last year’s family in a photo by TJN photographer Frank Becerra.

Here’s a video of a Maine eagle fixing its nest this week.

No, not really, but these catchy tunes from the University of Wisconsin Extension urge people to keep their boats clean and to not move bait from one lake to another. It’s all in an effort to prevent the spread of invasive species.

You can basically substitute New York for any mention of Wisconsin in the lyrics (may not work with the melody but it will with the message). This is from “The Ballad of Invasive Aquatic Species” by Scott Gatzke.

Inspect my boat…remove all plants, mud and critters
Drain my bilge…and my live wells and motors
Toss my bait…that I don’t want in the trash
When I roll back home I rinse my boat, or let it dry naturally
And these simple steps will keep Wisconsin waters pure and clean

Previously on TNOT: Rock Snot Found Again.

Well, actually on the grass. When I arrived at my eye doctor appointment today, the office was atwitter with the sightings of three little foxes playing on a sun-drenched lawn outside the building. They were wrestling like the pups they are, delighting everyone. Soft fur and tiny paws. I ran out to get a photo to post here, cuz I know a picture’s worth a thousand words, but the huge grackle screaming at them scared them into the bushes nearby. Mom never showed up, but with the spring season, folks are likely to see more and more of the young ones since there are more and more of the adult foxes in the area. I said they were cute enough to take home, but a smart older woman shook her head at me as I were serious and said “They’re wild animals.” A quick reminder that they don’t need us humans to survive.

A kangaroo-like animal from Australia is still on walkabout upstate near the Thruway.

The state police yesterday were investigating reports “of a wild Wallaroo that was seen by passing motorists approximately 100 feet off the roadway.”

Troopers searched the area and spotted the three-foot tall animal and notified the owner, Jeff Taylor who responded to the area but was unable to capture the animal.

It is believed that the Wallaroo is part of a traveling petting zoo and wildlife education program and escaped from the owner’s property several days ago.

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater plans to host two sails the day before Mother’s Day that are open to the public.

The first is a “Family Excursion,” departing from the Municipal Dock in Yonkers at noon on Saturday, and sailing to Alpine before returning to Yonkers at 3 PM. The cost, which includes a tour of the historic Kearney House, is $65 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.

The second is an “Evening Excursion,” departing from Yonkers at 4 PM, sailing to Alpine and then returning to Yonkers at 8 PM. The cost, which includes a light supper buffet at “Mrs. Kearney’s Tavern,” is $80 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under.

Reservations can be made by calling Catherine Stankowski, Clearwater’s sail coordinator, at (845) 454-7673×107.

Clearwater’s Kearney House sails are part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the launch of the sloop Clearwater. The 106-feet-long Clearwater was built and launched in 1969. The sloop was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 for its role in the environmental movement.

The Kearney House, listed on the National and New Jersey State Historic Registers as the “Blackledge–Kearney House” and formerly known as the “Cornwallis Headquarters,” is the oldest building in the New Jersey Section of the Palisades Interstate Park. The house has been a Hudson River homestead, a riverfront tavern, a park police station, and a “historic shrine.” Today it helps bring to life over two centuries of the story of the Hudson River and the women and men who depended upon it for their lives and livelihoods.

New York’s junior senator doesn’t like leaks at Indian Point anymore than her predecessor, Hillary Rodham Clinton, did. Upstate Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who replaced Clinton via an appointment from Gov. David Paterson, wrote Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Dale Klein a three-paragraph letter Monday calling for the agency to give her additional details on the Feb. 16th leak of tritiated water from a non-nuclear portion of Indian Point 2. The follows a similar, very detailed missive that came Thursday from John Hall, D-Dover Plains and Massachusetts rep Edward Markey. Gillebrand asked for a meeting to discuss the oversight of the plant and other issues with Klein.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, Mohican chapter, is looking for folks to join them on hikes of various ability levels. Here’s the group’s Web site. Following is a list of May events.

Sat. May 16th family hike – Muscoot Farm Trails:  “This will be an afternoon hike.  We will walk through the farm checking out the farm animals and any new born animals, then hike about 3-4 miles through beautiful fields and woodlands.  Hike is suitable for children 4 and older and any adults willing to hike at a child’s pace.  Ice cream after at the Dairy Cream on Rte.100.”  Meet 1p.m.  Phone hike leader, Jane Smalley at 914 276 0413 with questions and to register.

Sun. May 17th Westmoreland Sanctuary in Mt. Kisco.  “Join us on this easy morning hike.  The sanctuary encompasses 625 acres and has much to explore”.  Phone George Magnusson at 914 666 9571 for meeting time and place.

Sun. May 17th – Ringwood-Ramapo: “Join us for this 8-mile hike at a moderate pace. Explore the ridges and valley of the Ringwood-Ramapo forests in Northern New Jersey, topped off by a stroll through Skylands (NJ Botanical Garden).  Lunch at the view on ligenstein Rock;  Afternoon break on Mt. Defiance and another among the garden flowers.” Meet at North White Plains train station parking lot at 9:15 to carpool.  Register for directions by contacting leader, Eileen West, 914 747 3776 or email eileen1000@yahoo.com. Rain cancels.

Sat. May 23rd—Hudson Highlands Gateway Park: “This will be a pleasant 4-mile hike or so with gentle ups and downs.”  Take Bear Mountain Parkway to Highland Avenue to Sprout Brook Road and the parking lot is at the end designated by a sign for the Gateway Park.  To register or directions, call Carol Harting at 845 669 6731 or at office, 914 234 6313.

Sat. May 23rd – Turkey Mountain.  “Hike is for children and beginners.”  To register contact leader, Silvana Leonard at 914-649-3300.  Sun, May 24th – Osborn Loop/Sugarloaf near Garrison, NY.  Contact leader, Alan Kovacic for meeting time and place 914 413 3864 or 914 413 3864.

Mon. May 24th (Memorial Day) – Timp – Torne end to end.  Join Margaret Freifeld, Leader on this 11-mile hike with total elevation gain of 3000’.  “We will travel at a moderate but steady pace with several food breaks.  Enjoy views from the Timp, from West Mountain and from Popolopen Torne.  Bring at least 2 liters of water, snacks and lunch.  Hike begins at Jones Point and ends at the Fort Montgomery Visitor Center. Both are on Rte 9W.  Be prepared to help with car shuttle.”  For time and place, phone Margaret at 914 666 0710.

Sat. May 30 – Zoar Lake in Connecticut.  “Come on this beautiful morning hike.  We will pass some waterfalls and at one point be able to see Kettletown State Park beach.  The hike is about 7-miles with gentle ups and downs.”  Call leader, Roeli Johansson at 203 267 5619 for meeting time and place.

Sun. May 31 – Rockefeller State Park.  “This will be an easy morning hike to discover some of the many trails in this beautiful park.” Call leader Jean Dolen at 914 948 4585 for meeting time and place.  Sun, May 31 – Schunemunk Mountain. Jon the leader as he “does his annual hike of this scenic ridge.  Exact route has not been determined, but expect 6-8 miles and total elevation gain of 2000 feet.  Car shuttle may be needed.  The ridge tops are open, so a warm sunny day might dictate the use of a hat and carrying 2 quarts of water.”  Phone hike leader, Steve Klepner at 914 666 0710 or email: spk010@yahoo.com.

Chances are, the 52-pound striped bass that Mark Sofranko of Croton reeled in over the weekend was a female.

From the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Web page about striped bass, one of the Hudson River’s signature fish:

Most really big striped bass, specifically those over 30 pounds, are likely to be female. These big fish are often referred to as “cows.”

Only 40 percent of American robins’ nests successfully produce young, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. That’s a statistic the robin outside our kitchen door may not like to hear.

She built her nest in the low branches of a big fir tree that sits just off our porch. Her home is on the most heavily traveled path in our yard. Garage, grill and garbage can all sit around the corner from her, so she sees a lot of foot traffic.

So far, she seems to hold her ground and doesn’t flush out of the tree unless you stop walking. If you go down the porch steps, around the corner and past the tree without stopping, she stays on the nest.

I peeked into the nest yesterday and saw she’s caring for four eggs.