Here’s one of the 20- to 30,000 coyotes thought to roam throughout New York. I spotted him today in East Fishkill, just over the Putnam County line.

Coyotes are firmly established throughout all New York counties except Long Island and New York City. Their numbers have been estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000. Coyotes are abundant throughout New York state. As with most wildlife populations, numbers will fluctuate over time as food, weather and disease conditions change.

As unlikely as it may seem, human development makes surprisingly good coyote habitat. The abundant coyote food supply (e.g., rabbits, squirrels, deer, cats, small dogs, garbage, and pet food) makes living in close to people worthwhile.

New York’s forests provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, protect our drinking water, are the source of some food items and contribute some $4.6 million to the state’s economy every year (according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation).

Therefore, this video that lays out the various invasive threats to New York’s forests is a bit of a horror flick, from emerald ash borers to Asian longhorned beetles and creatures in between.

Ever wonder what happens to pond life in the winter when water turns to ice? Check out the latest family newsletter from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Did you know bald eagles can be seen in 49 of the 50 states? Hawaii is bald-eagle-less. Among the top places to see a bald eagle this winter, according to the National Wildlife Federation, is the Hudson River.

You can try and take advantage of that opportunity this Saturday at the 6th Annual Hudson River EagleFest.

In case you missed it, here was a recent story I did about volunteers counting eagles along and near the Hudson.

The photo by TJN photographer Joe Larese shows an immature bald eagle near the Annsville Creek in Cortlandt/Peekskill on Jan. 21.

Today’s story on fish in the area of Indian Point not being more contaminated with radioactivity than fish 60 miles upstream may surprise some.

Today’s JN story on Con Edison tree-cutting and the Public Service Commission’s oversight is drawing plenty of comments. People don’t like buzzsaws in their backyards without a little consideration.

The Northern Flicker was once known as the Yellow-shafted flicker, a nod to its bright yellow undersides. But science being what it is, the yellow-shafted and its red-shafted cousin were deemed to be the same species. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

The red-shafted and yellow-shafted forms of the Northern Flicker formerly were considered different species. The two forms hybridize extensively in a wide zone from Alaska to the panhandle of Texas. A hybrid often has some traits from each of the two forms and some traits that are intermediate between them. The Red-shafted Flicker also hybridizes with the Gilded Flicker, but less frequently.

DEC Announces Free Tree Seedlings Available to Schools

Schools across New York can now receive free seedlings for spring planting through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) School Seedling Program. The program provides 50 tree seedlings or a mixed packet of 30 wildlife shrubs to any public or private school that would like to participate.

“This program is a great way for children to connect with nature,” DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said. “Learning that trees have special needs in order to grow strong and healthy helps children play a role in improving our environment.”

The seedlings can be planted on school grounds or other community spaces. Teachers and students are encouraged to plan the project ahead of time by discussing the value trees contribute to the environment and to determine the objectives of the planting. Trees are instrumental in helping control erosion, enhance wildlife, provide windbreaks, and support many other conservation practices.

Planting 50 seedlings will require approximately 1,800 square feet, while the shrub planting will require about 900 square feet.

To participate, schools should contact DEC’s Saratoga Tree Nursery at (518) 587-1120, or the nearest DEC regional forestry office to request a “School Seedlings” brochure. The brochure contains all the information necessary to place an order. The information and application is also available online at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9393.html . Applications must be received at the nursery by March 31, 2010.

Weather and old age are taking taking their toll on Bannerman Castle, the brick-and-concrete castle that sits on an island in the Hudson River just north of Cold Spring. It’s tower wall collapsed last month, advocates believe, because of ice and wind. Monday’s big storm brought down more of the historic structure, Neil Caplan, executive director of the Bannerman Castle Trust, told the Poughkeepsie Journal.

“The western wall is the only wall that remains,” Caplan said.

The photo shows Thom Johnson of Peekskill in 2006 giving a tour of the property. (Photo by Randall Wolf of TJN.)

Photos of the December mishap can be found on the Bannerman Castle Trust’s Web site.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced that the city filed a permit application with the state to continue purchasing land in its watershed. Since 1997, the city has sought to buy land around its reservoirs to protect the quality of its drinking water. Read the full announcement after the break. Read more of this entry »