river talk

Mid-winter critters

By SCOTT RANDO

Posted 1/6/26

It’s just after New Year’s, and a little cooler and snowier than we have had it for the last few winter seasons. Though not a lot, we have had some snow in the area, and most places had a white …

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river talk

Mid-winter critters

RR photos by Scott Rando

Any rough-legged hawk seen in our region is a winter visitor from Canada. They arrive during the fall and stay for the duration of winter. They prefer open fields, where they forage on rodents. These are “booted” raptors; the leg feathers are present all the way to the foot. The best place to spot these raptors, along with wintering short-eared owls, is the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, just south of the New York-New Jersey border.

RR photos by Scott Rando

Many of the wintering eagles seen in the region are migrants from Canada; however, a higher percentage are local eagles, thanks to reintroduction efforts that took place in the 1970s to 1980s. Rivers are good wintering spots due to areas of open water that provide good fishing. At night, eagles frequently roost together for mutual warmth.

RR photos by Scott Rando

Rabbits are not hibernators; they will stay active over the winter. Rabbits can be found near shrubbery and bushes, where they consume twigs. Some domestic rabbits might get some timothy hay. This rabbit may be taking advantage of some freshly disturbed grass roots, caused by a snowplow on a dirt road.

Posted Tuesday, January 6, 2026 2:19 pm

By SCOTT RANDO

Perhaps you have seen some activity in the woods or fields. Maybe some deer or possum, and likely some eagles near the river. If you have a bird feeder, it is likely well populated with a variety of birds.

Most of the wildlife you see now live here all year round, with maybe a few migrants from the north, such as golden eagles or snow buntings. The wildlife seen this time of year have been able to survive the winters by seasonal changes in foraging and other behavior. Here are but a few of the many species that can be seen during the cold winter season.