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December 20, 2004 |
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Esopus Bend Nature Preserve
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Rather than write about any one particular hike this week, we want to reflect instead on the many great opportunities we have for wildlife watching and general nature observation here in the Catskills. Just this past weekend we saw no less than five bald eagles on a drive over to Livingston Manor! One was a mature eagle sitting right near the road, overlooking the Pepacton Reservoir, and the other four were immatures (no white head and tail yet), all together on the Beaverkill River (we won't say exactly where). There are several pairs of bald eagles that live and breed here in the Catskills, but many, many more come down from Canada to over-winter here, because there are places that remain ice-free. It is truly remarkable to see these magnificent birds coming back from their once endangered status, and to know that we don't have to travel to Alaska to see them.
We also just saw the close of the regular hunting season across New York (there are still a few more days of late bow and muzzleloader season). Regardless of whether you are a die-hard or casual hunter, hunting is a great way to enjoy nature because it forces you to sit still in the woods for relatively long periods of time. Few people other than hunters have the patience to do this on a regular basis, devoted bird-watchers and nature photographers excluded.
Even if you don't see deer, chances are you will see or hear squirrels, chickadees, nuthatches, crows, woodpeckers, wild turkey, ravens, and even an occasional coyote or bear. It took Chris many times out this season, in several places around the region, before he finally got his deer on the second-to-last day of the season, and each time out was an opportunity to enjoy sunrises, snowflakes, and the animals of the woods. Just as memorable as getting the deer was twice calling in a flock of chickadees and nuthatches with quick, sharp whistles; bringing them up close and personal to the nearby branches.
One can find nature at its best just about anywhere in our Catskill forests and fields, but there are some other places outside of the Catskill Park that are also good places to observe nature. One of these is the newly established Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties. This is a 155-acre property that was purchased by The Catskill Center in March of this year, and is being managed by the Esopus Creek Conservancy, who will take over ownership in the near future. Right now the property is temporarily closed to the public while the Esopus Creek Conservancy removes some old junk cars, fixes up some of the trails, and prepares some boundary markers and other signs to guide public use of the preserve. Last weekend, however, we led a hike on the new preserve for the Catskill Mountain Club, to give people a "sneak peak" at this beautiful land along the Esopus.
The name of the Esopus Bend Nature Preserve is derived from the fact that the land lies along a large, sharp bend in the Esopus Creek. The creek here is broad, flat water. It wraps around two sides of the property, and a wetland cove reaches deep into one part of the preserve. There is over a mile of frontage on the Esopus Creek proper, and more than a half-mile more around the wetland cove. The mix of riverbank, wetland, forest, successional shrubs, meadows ravines, and ridges makes this preserve a great place for wildlife despite its close proximity to the village of Saugerties and the Barclay Heights residential area. The Esopus Creek Conservancy is hoping to be able to protect more land contiguous to this, extending further up the Esopus from the village, which will ensure that this area remains a great wildlife corridor.
So be sure to keep your eyes and ears open when your out and about this winter, and don't be afraid to bundle up and go sit quietly for a while in the nearest patch of woods - you just might encounter something that will give you a lasting memory.
- Aaron and Chris
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