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The northern cardinal is one of the easiest bird species to spot during winter, with the bright red plumage of the male and the slightly toned-down plumage, with red highlights, of the female. Many people associate cardinals with Christmas, as the red plumage projects faith and warmth. Cardinals can be seen year-round in the region; however, the bare trees and snow-covered landscape of winter makes them much more obvious.

Birding during this time of year is always interesting. Things are still in transition with the last of the fall migration. Some visitors from the north have arrived; you may see buffleheads on lakes … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 12/1/21

The author's old copy of "Matching The Hatch," with the spinners and parachute flies he will fish in the future.

What’s in your fly box?

The other day, while contemplating a topic for this week’s column, I happened to pick up my old copy of “Matching the Hatch,” by Ernie Schwiebert. When I opened the little volume, … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 12/1/21

Can you discern a message in this cleverly carved insect script?

Artfully expressed

For as creative and clever as we humans fancy ourselves to be, the natural world often easily outdoes our efforts—without even trying. As I roam throughout the Upper Delaware River region, … more

By SANDY LONG | 11/24/21

Gary the grouse just wanted to be with people.

The tale of Gary the Grouse and a lumberjack bear

One of the little joys of living out here is the sharing of tales between friends. One outdoorsman to another, you will find there are uncountable tales, some fictitious, others just a small stretch … more

By HUNTER HILL | 11/24/21

In January of 2008, this golden eagle was trapped by the NYSDEC as part of an Upper Delaware eagle study. It was a female adult, weighing in at an even 14 pounds. Goldens are slightly larger than bald eagles. During the spring of 2009, this eagle migrated almost 1300 miles to her breeding territory in northern Labrador. It appeared that she had a nest high up on the side of a gorge that had a stream running through it. Her telemetry worked for two years, and she returned to our region for the second winter.

A ‘golden’ opportunity for eagle-watching in winter

The past few decades have seen a resurgence of bald eagles in the region, thanks to the banning of DDT, as well as efforts by state wildlife agencies to re-introduce the species during the 1970s to … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 11/17/21

Biologist William Kelly (Catskill Bill) with two beautiful Neversink landlocked salmon; photo likely taken in 1981 or '82.

The Neversink Reservoir landlocked salmon fisheries management program

In 1971, the DEC’s regional fisheries unit in New Paltz held a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of beginning a landlocked salmon management program for the Neversink … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 11/17/21

This female mallard got a second chance to resume her wild life after colliding with a car in Pike County, PA. I transported her to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Stroudsburg for treatment.

Giving thanks

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It awakens awareness of all there is to be grateful for in my life. Right now, I’m feeling especially blessed by the enthusiastic response to my exhibit, … more

By SANDY LONG | 11/10/21

Boasting his harvest, my son proudly displays fistfuls of fresh-picked potatoes.

Little spuds

You wouldn’t think there would be too much to do, gardening-wise, after these recent frosty mornings we’ve been having, but as it turns out, there are more than a few things left to take … more

By HUNTER HILL | 11/10/21

This is the Delaware River at Shohola Rapids; we’re looking upstream towards Barryville on the morning of October 27. The rocks are usually visible at Shohola Rapids, but they were covered by 17 feet of water when this photograph was taken. The gage upstream of here at Callicoon crested in the “moderate flood stage” (13.68 feet) and low-lying roads in that area were likely affected.

Falling leaves, falling rain

Fall arrived officially on September 22; I don’t recall anything exciting happening that day, except that the sun passed directly over the equator, thus marking the arrival of the autumnal … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 11/3/21

A stout fly rod and large streamer fly: the tools required to land large, migrating brown trout.

Fall fly fishing for lake-run browns

In October of 2017, I wrote a column for the River Reporter titled “A chance at fall spawners.” It was my lament about why the state did not extend the fishing season for trout, which … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 11/3/21

Changes to water releases, spearheaded by research done by Kolesar and his colleagues, have balanced the needs of fishermen, the fish themselves, residents and those who drink the water in New York City's reservoirs.

To balance the needs of all

These are Boyar’s remarks as he introduced Peter Kolesar at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum’s ceremony on October 30. The center named its newest Hall of Fame members and … more

By ANDY BOYAR | 11/3/21

New knives are great for work and play, and fortunately cuts soon heal away.

Nicks, ticks, and archery sticks

Anyone else feeling a little beat up? I jest, but I wouldn’t be lying if I said I felt a little like a flaming train skidding into the station as we approach year’s end. So many things … more

By HUNTER HILL | 10/27/21

What appears to be a Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) is sharing a thistle flower with a monarch butterfly. Many pollinator insects may share the same flower at times with no apparent conflict. Thistles are listed as the top-selected food plant for this species; many other insect pollinators, including butterflies can be found at thistle plants as well.

Bumblebees in decline

When we think of bumblebees, we think of them as common; indeed, they are frequent visitors to gardens and fields of wildflowers alike. It’s hard to not see bumblebees during a walk on a trail … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 10/20/21

Another season ends

It’s subtle at first. Fall actually begins not on September 22, but in July, when the first poplar leaves fall and cover the ground like large brown potato chips. They crunch underfoot as we … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 10/20/21

Punctuating our forests with exclamation points of purple is American pokeweed, also referred to as pokeberry. The fruits are a valuable food source for some bird species, such as cardinals and mourning doves, but are especially toxic to humans and should not be consumed.

Forests aflame

Driving or walking around the Upper Delaware River region at this time of year is a rich and nourishing feast for the senses as foliage and fruits ripen. Make time to harvest this sumptuous banquet … more

By SANDY LONG | 10/14/21

With a classic smile, my old black lab Molly enjoys a moment in her sunset years testing out my hammock.

She was a good dog

The way out here can often have the illusion of perpetual sunshine-filled days and one harvest after another. But just like everywhere else, the grey clouds roll through here as well, both literally … more

By HUNTER HILL | 10/14/21

Spotted lanternflies

In the September 8 Rivertalk column, I had written about the appearance of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) and how it was appearing sporadically in Pike County, with single sightings in a … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 10/6/21

Hatchery trout feeding at the surface; does this behavior influence feeding in the wild?

The feeding behavior of wild vs. hatchery brown trout

While it may not be obvious, it’s important for anglers to be aware that there is a difference between hatchery brown trout and wild brown trout when it comes to the way they feed. The … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 10/6/21

Sundews are exquisite carnivorous plants that thrive in boggy wetland habitats, as hinted at in this excerpt from “The Sundew” by Victorian poet, critic and novelist, Algernon Charles Swinburne, English poet. ..“The Sundew” ..A little marsh-plant, yellow green, ..And pricked at lip with tender red. ..Tread close, and either way you tread ..Some faint black water jets between ..Lest you should bruise the curious head...Visit https://bit.ly/3lT9FIx to read the full poem.

All that glitters

Nestled into mats of sphagnum moss, or clinging to old stumps protruding from boggy swamps and marshes in the Upper Delaware River region, are delicate carnivorous plants sometimes referred to as … more

By SANDY LONG | 9/29/21

Water, originally collected in a small stream, roars as though rocketing forth from a geyser after recent heavy rainfall.

When it rains, it pours

Let’s talk about the weather. No, this isn’t small talk. But honestly, what a strange summer it’s been. Although according to my desk calendar, fall officially started this past … more

By HUNTER HILL | 9/29/21

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
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