Watchable Wildlife - Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area  Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in Ontario and Livingston Counties at the south end of Honeoye Lake and is named after the lake and stream that flows through the property. A great variety of wildlife find high-quality habitat on this WMA, making it a worthwhile stop for birding and other wildlife observation. Wood duck, great blue heron, swamp sparrow, and least flycatcher are abundant in the silver maple-ash swamp. Each spring, thousands of salamanders migrate from the surrounding upland forest into the swamp to breed.
The pursuit of game is also quite good here. Deer, bear, turkey, and cottontail rabbit are common. Several miles of trails exist on the WMA. A series of old farm lanes are located around—or traverse through—many of the fields, providing excellent views of the surrounding hills. Paddling is also a great way to experience the inlet and swamp. Kayaks and canoes can be put in just north of the WMA at the Honeoye Lake State Boat Launch, (there is a small parking fee). Read more about Honeoye Inlet WMA in the April/May 2022 edition of the Conservationist (PDF). Photo courtesy of M. Palermo
DEC Seeking Reports of Moose Sightings 
DEC is seeking public assistance to report moose sightings via an online form as part of ongoing efforts to monitor moose distribution across New York State. While the Adirondacks are home to most New York moose, some live in the eastern part of the state along the Vermont and Massachusetts borders. Moose can also occasionally be found in southeastern New York and the Catskills, but these are usually individuals that have dispersed from other areas. Moose are the largest land mammal in the state. In the summer, when most sightings occur, moose typically spend a lot of time in ponds and wetlands feeding on submerged aquatic plants. During the rest of the year in cooler weather, they browse on leaves, twigs, and buds of trees and shrubs. Bulls weigh up to 1,200 pounds and stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder. Cows weigh anywhere from 500 to 800 pounds and usually give birth to one or two calves in late May or early June. Many moose sightings occur along roadways. Drive cautiously at dusk and dawn as moose can be hard to spot due to their dark color. If you see a moose, do not block traffic, and remember to respect wildlife by keeping quiet and viewing from a distance. If you manage to capture one of these magnificent mammals on camera, please share your photos by sending them to wildlife@dec.ny.gov. Photo courtesy of G. Lee
Take an 'I Bird NY' Challenge 
It's that time of year again! The annual I BIRD NY Challenges are now live and open to birders of all ages and abilities across the state. To complete the Beginner's Birding Challenge (PDF), participants 16 years old and younger must identify 10 common New York bird species. More seasoned birders are also encouraged to complete the Experienced Birding Challenge (PDF), in which participants of any age must identify 10 or more different bird species found across New York. Entries can be submitted via email or mail until October 14. All challenge participants will be able to print a certificate of participation and will be entered for a chance to win birding accessories. New this year: participants will also receive an extra entry for identifying half of the birds (5) on NYS Birding Trail sites! As an extra bonus, the first 50 participants from either challenge will also receive a special goody bag of birding swag items. Birding enthusiasts can visit I Bird NY to access this year's challenge sheets, as well as find information on birding, upcoming birding events, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding (also available in Spanish [both are PDF files]), and additional resources.
Hiker Information Stations 
DEC's Adirondack Hiker Information Stations are operating every weekend now until Columbus Day, providing education and information to hikers and other recreationists. Stop by a Hiker Information Station ahead of your weekend hiking trip for information about parking, alternative hiking locations, local land use rules and regulations, and hiking safety. Please visit us at the following locations: Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holiday Monday: - High Peaks Rest Area, Northbound on Route 87, starting at 7 a.m.
- Beekmantown Rest Area, Southbound on Route 87, starting at 7 a.m.
Take a ride on the Nature bus 
The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) and the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) have partnered again to offer a free Saturday CDTA bus service to connect City of Albany residents to parks and outdoor spaces around Albany County. Ride the Nature Bus to places such as DEC's Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, MHLC's Normans Kill West Preserve, or the Albany County Rail Trail. These locations offer ways to appreciate and learn more about nature and enjoy time outdoors.
Snap a photo for the Outdoor Photo Contest 
DEC and New York State Parks announced the launch of the 2022 Outdoor Photo Contest to highlight the best of New York's natural beauty and special destinations among the state's campgrounds and parks. The online contest runs through mid-October, with the winning images to be featured in statewide digital and print campaigns. A grand prize winner will be selected along with six individual category winners. Learn more about the photo contest categories and submissions. Photo credits: John J. Marino Sr.
Love Our NY Lands - DEC Alerts Follow @NYSDECAlerts on Twitter for real-time updates from state lands and sites across
New York. The State is home to tens of thousands of acres of State lands to visit, dozens of campgrounds, and thousands of miles of trails for hikers of all abilities. @NYSDECAlerts provides real-time updates from DEC-managed lands across New York State. Remember to Love Our NY Lands and follow @NYSDEC to recreate responsibly, plan ahead, and Leave No Trace™. All of us have a responsibility to protect State lands for future generations. Learn more about how you can Love Our NY Lands.
Thunderstorm Safety 
Before every hike you should check the weather for the location you will be visiting. If there are thunderstorms in the forecast for that day or night, change or delay your plans. Do not risk getting caught in a thunderstorm on a mountain trail. Sometimes, thunderstorms can develop unexpectedly and appear despite a clear weather forecast. Keep the following in mind to help you avoid pop-up thunderstorms and stay safe if you do get caught in one: - Watch for darkening skies, increased winds, and lightning flashes, and listen for thunder.
- As soon as you are first aware of an approaching thunderstorm, move to lower elevations and seek shelter.
- Avoid summits and other open areas during thunderstorms.
- If you cannot take shelter indoors, find a low spot away from tall trees. Seek an area of shorter trees and crouch down away from tree trunks.
- Make yourself as short as possible by sitting on your backpack or sleeping pad with your knees flexed. Hug your knees and keep your feet together to minimize the ground effect of a nearby lightning strike.
Nature Notes Did you Know… Moose primarily live in areas that have cold, snowy winters. Their wide hooves act like snowshoes to help them walk in the snow or in muddy, marshy ground after the snow melts. An adult moose can run up to 35 miles an hour for short distances and 20 miles an hour for longer treks.
Upcoming Events Be sure to check out DEC's wide selection of outdoor activities on our events calendar. View activities for the upcoming month or all the planned events currently scheduled, including public hearings and meetings. For specific information about upcoming events at DEC's Environmental Education Centers, see the following links: Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany County) Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center (Erie County) Rogers Environmental Education Center (Chenango County) Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County)
Check Out Our Facebook Live Events As always, be sure to visit our Facebook page for updates and to view our Facebook Live offerings. From adventures at fish hatcheries and nighttime hiking to Q&As about black bears, there is always something to see and learn.
Conservationist 
With the warm weather welcoming people to get outside, we encourage everyone to take advantage of the great outdoor opportunities New York has to offer. The June/July Conservationist highlights some of the amazing sites and activities that are easily accessible in all regions of the State. Whether you want to view whales in ocean waters or bluebirds nesting along a dedicated birding trail, you can do it here in New York. And you can read about New York's search and rescue efforts, camping, and even jumping worms, all in the latest edition of the Conservationist. Try now, pay later. Visit DEC's website and click "bill me" on the subscription page and instantly become a subscriber, or call 1-800-678-6399. | 
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