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These are three out of four gray fox kits, about three months old, lounging at this den site after what was probably a fair amount of playing. Play-fighting and other forms of playing help the fox kits to develop skills that they will need to survive once they disband as a family and go on their own during the fall.

With spring comes the emergence of many young animals. Whether it be fawns, bear cubs or young eagles or owls, this is the season of new life. A few days back, I was walking past a house … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 5/15/24

The green drake (10), rusty (14-16) and pale evening spinners (16)—three flies that will work for most spinner falls.

Fishing spinner falls

By the time this piece appears in the River Reporter , the season’s first mayfly hatches, including Hendricksons, should be well underway. That means that mayflies in the spinner or imago … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 5/15/24

Adult beavers average 40 to 60 pounds and typically grow up to 40 inches in length. Their stubby bodies, glossy brown coats and paddle-shaped tails make this mammal easy to identify. In the wild, they typically live between 10 and 12 years...

Whodunnit?

A pond appeared where no pond had been behind the home of a friend this spring. How did this come to be? You might ask the beavers—nature’s excellent engineers—for the answer. … more

By SANDY LONG | 5/8/24

A tale of two turtles (maybe three)

Spring is a time of new life, and yet it sometimes takes a few weeks longer than expected to see some manifestations—such as fawns, goslings or even just new blooms on an old tree. One thing I … more

By HUNTER HILL | 5/8/24

These are two young from a New York nest seen on May 12, 2006. These four-week-old young are getting feathers, but still have some secondary down left; some of the dark gray down can be seen on their breasts. They stand about half as high as the adult does in this image. Sometimes they can be seen exercising their wings at this stage, but their flight feathers are not yet developed. It looks as though it's eel for breakfast on this rainy morning.....

Spring eagle youngsters

It’s hard not to hear the increasing sounds of bird life while outside this time of year. The drumming of woodpeckers and the calling of various birds are very evident. Other species of birds … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 5/1/24

The Hendrickson dun, female of the species.

Hendrickson revisited

Looking back in the archives of the River Reporter, I found that I first wrote about the Hendrickson mayfly in the May 3, 2017 edition. I believe that was my first column for the paper. That, my … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 5/1/24

A swarm of glass eels. File link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Juvenile eel monitoring has started in the Hudson River Eel Project

HUDSON RIVER AREA, NY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the start of the state’s 17th year of annual research on … more

4/28/24

Unlike my dogs, Kenzie is a skilled swimmer with a passion for paddling. Here she keeps a watchful eye on her owner and agility training partner, Nancy.

Protecting pets

Picking up where I left off in my last column about keeping pets safe during outdoor adventures—an ounce of prevention (and preparation) is worth a pound of cure. Seize this forewarning and be … more

By SANDY LONG | 4/24/24

My strawberries are looking great after a mild winter.

Strawberries in springtime

I like plants that you can rely on. Garlic was one of my first true loves in gardening because of its regularity. You plant it in fall; it sprouts in spring; you top it in May or June and pull it and … more

By HUNTER HILL | 4/24/24

This white-footed mouse was caught last month during a small mammal study in Monroe County, PA. This species could be the most abundant small rodent in the region. They feed on seeds, nuts, berries and other plant matter. Insects are also on the menu. White-footed mice only live one year in the wild, and the young become sexually mature after only 40 days. Females can have three to four litters, each consisting of three to seven young, annually.

A mouse in the house (or in the woods)

When we think of mice in the Upper Delaware region, we usually think of encounters with mice in our homes. We don’t usually see them, but rather, we see signs of their passing (droppings, … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 4/17/24

My beautifully made 8 1/2-foot Raine bamboo fly rod.

Raine bamboo fly rods

I received my first bamboo fly rod during the winter of 1959. It was an Orvis 99—that is to say, an Orvis Battenkill with one tip. The rod was 7.5 feet long and rated for a 6-weight fly line. … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 4/17/24

Students take aim during the New York State National Archery in Schools tournament.

Great shots

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Scott Scardino fell in love with archery, so he started an afterschool club for the sport. In 2016, the Sullivan West Elementary School received a grant from the … more

By VICTORIA SKUTHAN | 4/17/24

Sam Marshall at the 2013 Upper Delaware BioBlitz.

Upper Delaware BioBlitz to be held in June

BOYDS MILLS, PA — Want to experience the diversity of life in a parcel of land? Want to meet scientists and amateur naturalists? Those scientists and naturalists will be participating in … more

4/17/24

Lacawac Sanctuary is accepting registrations for its summer Conservation Leadership Academy (CLA). CLA is a week-long residential camp for middle and high school students aged 13 to 17. ..

Conservation camp scholarships available

LAKE ARIEL, PA — Lacawac Sanctuary is accepting registrations for its summer Conservation Leadership Academy (CLA). CLA is a week-long residential camp for middle and high … more

4/17/24

Ziva and Raven are avid fans of quiet-water canoeing. Neither of these sweeties is a skilled swimmer, so their fashionable PFDs are an important part of their outdoor safety gear.

Protecting pets on outdoor adventures

After penning my last column about porcupines and the problems that present themselves when our canine companions attempt to make a snack of the passive quill pig, I got to thinking about other ways … more

By SANDY LONG | 4/10/24

A light at the end of the tunnel—no matter what

It’s been a grueling couple of years trying to figure out what’s going on with the economy and real estate, finding land, financing, making building plans, securing subcontractors, and … more

By HUNTER HILL | 4/10/24

Trout is stocked for Monster Trout Derby

LACKAWAXEN RIVER, PA — The merchants of the Lackawaxen River Watershed have announced the return of the Monster Trout Derby. The merchants in the watershed sponsored 100 brown, brook … more

4/5/24

The annual Commissioners Fishing Derby is back for the 26th year on April 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at Lily Pond on Schocopee Road. Pictured are young anglers Dylan DeFebo, Landon DeFebo and Liam Payne.

Pike County Commissioners Fishing Derby is back

MILFORD, PA ― The Pike County Board of Commissioners will host the annual Commissioners Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. It will be held on Lily Pond, Schocopee Road. … more

4/5/24

Catskill Legends fly-tier Dave Catizone explains the intricate process of fashioning a realistic replica of an insect to convince a trout to rise to the surface of the local pristine waters.

Legendary fly-tiers share their knowledge

LIVINGSTON MANOR., NY — Back on May 23, 2023, three notables in the world of fly fishing were inducted into the honor rolls of Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum’s (CFFCM) Catskill … more

By TED WADDELL | 4/5/24

The life cycle of the little sulphur mayfly has been changed, due to the increase in the release of cold bottom-water.

Aquatic insect decline

NATIONWIDE — For those of us who regularly fish the fabled rivers of New York’s western Catskills, the issue began early in the summer of 2016. That’s when anglers started reporting … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 4/5/24

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
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