Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo encouraged New Yorkers to take advantage of the upcoming first Free Fishing Weekend of 2021, on February 13 and 14, when anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license.

“New York is home to some of the best lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the world, all offering exceptional fishing opportunities all year round,” Governor Cuomo said. “As the nation continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, families are seeking outdoor activities that don’t break the bank or require extensive travel, and this Free Fishing weekend is a perfect option for anglers of all experience levels to enjoy the very best that the Empire State has to offer.”

Those new to ice fishing are encouraged to download the Ice Fishing Chapter of DEC’s I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing for information on how to get started.

Additional information, including a list of waters where ice fishing is permitted, can found on the DEC ice fishing webpage. In Orleans County, Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway and Lake Alice in Carlton are listed as spots for ice fishing.

Recent cold weather has improved ice conditions across the state and DEC reminds those venturing onto the ice that four inches or more of solid ice is considered safe for accessing bodies of water on foot.

Ice anglers should note that ice thickness can vary on different bodies of water and even on the same body of water. Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be considered evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. It’s easy to test ice thickness with an auger or ice spud at various spots.

“Every year, more and more New Yorkers discover there are just as many fantastic fishing opportunities during the winter months as during the summer,” said NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Ice fishing is a great activity for families to do together, and the annual February Free Fishing weekend is the perfect time for first timers to give it a try on waters with ice thick enough to access safely.”

New York’s Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give people who might not fish a chance to try the rewarding sport at no cost, to introduce people to a new hobby, and to encourage people to support the management of the State’s freshwater fisheries by purchasing a New York State fishing license. February’s free fishing days are the first of several planned for 2021. Additional days include June 26 and 27, September 25 (National Hunting and Fishing Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day). During free fishing days, residents and visitors can fish for free on any of the state’s 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Erie Canal towpath which is part of the Empire State Trail is shown today in Eagle Harbor near the lift bridge.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced completion of the Empire State Trail, now the nation’s longest multi-use state trail, which will be fully open on December 31.

The trail spans 750-miles total, 75 percent of which is off-road trails ideal for cyclists, hikers, runners, cross-country skiers and snow-shoers. The new recreational trail, which runs from New York City through the Hudson and Champlain Valleys to Canada, and from Albany to Buffalo along the Erie Canal, will provide a safe and scenic pathway for New Yorkers and tourists to experience New York State’s varied landscapes. The Empire State Trail is expected to draw 8.6 million residents and tourists annually.

“Nearly four years ago, we announced plans to build the Empire State Trail and I am excited to announce it’s been completed on time and will open on New Year’s Eve,” Governor Cuomo said. “There’s no trail like it in the nation – 750 miles of multi-use trail literally from Manhattan to the Canadian Border, from Buffalo to Albany. Not only does it provide an opportunity to experience the natural beauty and history of New York, but it also gives New Yorkers from every corner of the state a safe outlet for recreation as we continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic. As we approach the holiday weekend, there is no better time than now to put on your mask and experience it for yourself.”

Introduced in the Governor’s 2017 State of the State address, the Empire State Trail will be open year-round, including winter. It connects 20 regional trails to create a continuous statewide signed route. As part of the 58 distinct projects to complete the Trail on time, more than 180 miles of new off-road trail was created and 400 miles of previously disconnected, off-road trails were linked to eliminate gaps and ease engineering challenges such as railroad and water crossings in high traffic areas.

The New York State Department of Transportation improved 170 miles of on-road bicycle route sections to enhance safety and travel on low-speed rural roadways and city streets when possible. New York State also installed 45 gateways and trailheads along the route to welcome visitors and branded the trail with signage, interpretive panels, bike racks, and benches.

The Empire State Trail website provides quick and easy access to trail information including segment descriptions, access points, trail distances, parking areas, restrooms, and nearby amenities and attractions.

The website’s responsive and user-friendly design allows users to access interactive maps from mobile devices, zoom in to specific location of interest, and download/print maps of trail segments. Cyclists can print “cue sheets” with highly detailed directions for following a selected trail segment. The site also features information about the variety of activities and destinations on or near the trail such as campgrounds, parks, historic sites, and popular stops among the local communities.

Recently completed projects that finalize the trail include:

Hudson Valley

• Albany-Hudson Electric Trail: The Hudson River Valley Greenway constructed 36 miles of off-road and on road trails from the city of Rensselaer to the City of Hudson in Rensselaer and Columbia counties. The $45 million trail follows the historic route of an electric trolley which operated from 1900 to 1929. The corridor is owned by National Grid, which authorized New York State to build a trail on the route.
• Maybrook Trailway: Metro-North Railroad constructed a new 23-mile rail-trail on its inactive “Beacon Line” corridor from Hopewell Junction in Dutchess County to Brewster in Putnam County passing through the towns of Pawling, Southeast, Paterson, Beekman and East Fishkill. Along the route, the trail winds through rural landscapes and wooded areas featuring seasonal waterfalls and crosses the Appalachian Trail. The $42 million Beacon Line was the first all-rail freight connection across the Hudson River north of New York City. It originally opened as a rail line in 1892 and served as a vital transportation link between New York and southern New England, carrying trains between Derby Junction and Maybrook, via the bridge over the Hudson River at Poughkeepsie that is now the Walkway Over the Hudson.
• Hudson River Brickyard Trail: The City of Kingston constructed a new 1.5-mile Empire State Trail section along the Hudson River shoreline. The $1.4 million project was built with City of Kingston and Town of Ulster funds matched by state grants from the Department of State and Hudson River Valley Greenway.
• Battery Park City Gateway: The $450,000 gateway marks the southern terminus of the trail in Lower Manhattan.

Erie Canalway Trail

• The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Gateways: These four gateways in Western New York provide a welcoming connection for trail visitors at key access points in: Buffalo Harbor State Park in Buffalo; at the western entrance to the Erie Canal in Tonawanda; at Five Locks Park in Lockport; and in Genesee Valley Park in Rochester. The gateways include kiosks featuring local and statewide trail information, bicycle racks, and shaded granite block seating. Each gateway features a “Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.” memorial plaque honoring the late owner of the Buffalo Bills. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation provided $2.6 million dollars for the gateways.
• Macedon Bridge: NYSDOT restored a closed vehicle bridge over the Erie Canal. The $4.2 million investment created a bicycling and walking trail and created a local park.
• Erie Blvd-Syracuse: NYSDOT constructed a 3-mile trail in the median of Erie Blvd, from East Syracuse to DeWitt. The project cost $23 million.
• Loop the Lake Trail-Syracuse: Onondaga County constructed a new 1.5-mile trail on the south shore of Onondaga Lake, including a new bicycle/pedestrian bridge over CSX’s rail line. The project was funded with County and federal funds.
• Utica: New York State Canal Corporation constructed a new 3.5-mile trail east of Utica for $9.3 million
• Herkimer County: New York State Canal Corporation completed a new 2.2-mile trail section Lock E18 to Route 167, a new 1.3-mile trail section Frankfort to Ilion, and a new 2-mile trail from Ilion to Mohawk. These projects totaled $16.4 million.

Champlain Canalway

• Fort Edward to Fort Ann: The New York State Canal Corporation constructed two adjacent trail sections. The $14.3 million investment created a 12-mile trail from Fort Edward to Fort Ann.
• Fort Ann to Comstock: NYSDOT built a new 0.75-mile off-road trail in Washington County and designated a 7-mile route on local roads and cost $2 million.

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “The Empire State Trail is a testament to Governor Cuomo’s vision to make New York State an unmatched destination for outdoor recreation. Everyone from the most experienced long-distance cyclists to family groups with children will enjoy this pathway. People can take a quick bike ride or walk close to home, or they can plan a multi-day adventure to take them from one end of the state to the other.”

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “Governor Cuomo’s vision for the newly-completed Empire State Trail merges economic development with the beautiful views along the Canal system to create exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities, both for residents of canalside communities and for visitors from across New York and beyond. The Erie Canalway and Champlain Canalway Trail segments of the Empire State Trail reintroduce New Yorkers to the historic towpaths of our state’s storied waterways and connect a new generation to the rich heritage of the New York Canal system.”

Photos courtesy of Celeste Morien: This Mallard is pictured at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Christmas Bird Count Compiler Celeste Morien

SHELBY – It’s time again for the Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count! The count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts for 120 years and the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge provide support for this local count.

Count compiler Celeste Morien of Medina would like the public to be alert for counters with spotting scopes and binoculars who will be out and about December 28th on local roads, searching for birds in fields and at bird feeders.

Brown Creeper

Filling bird feeders now and keeping them stocked ahead of the count helps fulfill the count objective of counting all wild birds seen and heard within the circle! Our Oak Orchard Swamp count is centered at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on the Orleans and Genesee County line at Route 63.

Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which includes more than the refuge and state wildlife areas, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

According to the Audubon website, “Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt.” They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders, 25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America.

Nowadays, from December 14 through January 5 each year, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.

The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, the “CBC” provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

Evening Grosbeak

The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.

If your home is within the circle and you are at home on count day, you can report the birds that visit your feeder. Anyone can participate, but arrangements must be made with the compiler. To do so, please contact celeste.morien@gmail.com.

Please consider donating to the Christmas Count (click here) since the Audubon Society no longer collects fees from each participant.

13,000 birds were counted at last year’s event

There were 21 volunteers at last year’s event and they counted 62 species and 13,248 individual birds, including 20 Bald Eagles and 493 Herring Gulls.

A list of species at last year’s count includes:

• Canada Goose, 4,447; European Starling, 4,105; House Sparrow, 690; Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon), 499; Herring Gull, 493; Mallard, 327;
• Ring-billed Gull, 307; Black-capped Chickadee; 287; American Crow, 270; Mourning Dove, 173; Red-winged Blackbird, 151; American Tree Sparrow, 142;
• Dark-eyed Junco, 140; Brown-headed Cowbird, 139; American Goldfinch, 127; Northern Cardinal, 109; Blue Jay, 102; Cedar Waxwing, 85; Downy Woodpecker, 83;
• White-Breasted Nuthatch, 73; House Finch, 62; Eastern Bluebird, 48; Wild Turkey, 48; Red-tailed Hawk, 47; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 46; American Black Duck, 31;
• Hairy Woodpecker, 30; Northern Flicker, 29; American Robin, 22; White-throated Sparrow, 21; Bald Eagle, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 17; Horned Lark, 10; Song Sparrow, 9;
• Brown Creeper, 9; Pileated Woodpecker, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5; Eastern Screech Owl, 5; Cooper’s Hawk, 5; Northern Harrier, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; American Kestral, 3; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3; Great Blue Heron, 3; Ring-necked Pheasant, 3;
• Carolina Wren, 2; Common Raven, 2; Merlin, 2; Great Horned Owl, 2; Common Merganser, 2;
• Yellow-Romped Warbler, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; Northern Shrike, 1; and Barred Owl, 1.

The cover of the 2021 Erie Canalway Calendar features A.T. McLean’s winning photo of the Butternut Creek Aqueduct, located in the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park in DeWitt. Calendars are available for free beginning today at libraries and visitor centers throughout the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Press Release, Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – The public is invited to pick up a free 2021 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor calendar starting today at selected libraries and visitor centers throughout the National Heritage Corridor. The calendar features winning images from this year’s Erie Canalway photo contest.

“The calendar showcases the unique beauty, history, and character of New York’s canals and canal communities,” said Bob Radliff, Erie Canalway Executive Director. “We hope it inspires people to preserve and celebrate our incredible canal heritage.”

Calendars will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, thanks to generous sponsorship by the NYS Canal Corporation.

“The 2021 calendar celebrates our iconic Canal System by displaying brilliant photographs as captured by many of our canalside neighbors, and I encourage everyone to retrieve one while supplies last, so that they too can enjoy these spectacular scenes all year long,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton.

Editor’s Note: The public libraries in Albion, Brockport, Holley, Medina and Middleport are among the locations listed as having the calendars. (Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina is closed to the public until Dec. 7.)

Click here to see a list of locations where the calendar is available. For people who don’t live in the Canal Corridor, you can request a copy by emailing erie_canal@nps.gov.

Cory Pawlaczyk took this photo of a sunrise along the Erie Canal in Medina. It is featured in September in the new calendar highlighting Erie Canal scenes.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Photo by Tom Rivers – A fisherman is pictured in the Oak Orchard River in October 2014.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that New York residents and non-residents can fish for free without a license on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.

New York’s Free Fishing Days encourage more people to get outdoors and enjoy the state’s world-class fishing opportunities. Legislation signed by the Governor in 2015 allowed an increase in the number of authorized statewide Free Fishing Days. Every year since, Veterans Day has been designated as a Free Fishing Day.

“The Veterans Day Free Fishing Day is just one way to acknowledge the contributions of our veterans while offering the opportunity to enjoy some of the best fishing spots in the nation, right here in the Empire State,” Governor Cuomo said. “I encourage everyone from expert anglers to beginners to take advantage of this Free Fishing Day and enjoy everything New York has to offer.”

The Free Fishing Days program is administered by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as part of Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative. The free fishing days program began in 1991, to give people who might not fish a chance to try the sport at no cost, introduce people to a new hobby, and encourage people to support the sport by purchasing a New York State fishing license.

Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect.

New York State continues to encourage people to engage in responsible recreation during the State’s ongoing response to Covid-19. This fall, anglers should be mindful in taking precautions to stop the spread of Covid-19 while enjoying the outstanding fishing opportunities throughout the state.

Return to top

A white-tailed deer in Orleans County had rabies, one of four to test positive in upstate recently, according to researchers at the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab.

A DEC environmental conservation officer collected a white-tailed deer carcass after it was found dead in a pond by the homeowner in Orleans County on Oct. 13. The DEC officer noted that other deer had been seen swimming in the pond.

Quick collection and proper handling of the animal by ECOs and NYS Wildlife Health Program staff at Cornell using appropriate PPE was strictly followed and essential when handling wildlife as it may be infected with rabies or other infectious diseases. The brain sample was removed and sent to NYS Wadsworth lab for testing and was reported positive for rabies, according to the Cornell lab.

A deer also tested positive for rabies in Cortland Country after it was euthanized on October 1 by a DEC Environmental Conservation Officer who found the deer “circling in a yard.” The deer also “appeared thin” and was approachable by humans.

Appearing tame or being approachable, anorexia, and incoordination or restlessness are some of the clinical signs of rabies.

Other deer have testing positive for rabies Ontario County and Cayuga County.

Hunting season is about to begin across New York. It’s important for hunters to remember that all mammals, including white-tailed deer, are susceptible to rabies, Cornell officials said.

“Remember to include disposable gloves in your hunting gear as you head into the field,” Cornell said in a news release. “Wear gloves when field dressing or butchering your harvest and be sure to discard the gloves in the trash. Wash your hands with soap and water when you are finished. Rabies virus can be transmitted through the animal’s saliva and blood into an open wound. Do not consume animals that appear abnormal. To report neurologic deer, please contact your DEC Regional Wildlife Office.”

Return to top

Johnson, Oak Orchard and Sandy creeks will get additional water

File photos by Tom Rivers: Anglers try to catch Chinook salmon and brown trout in the Oak Orchard River in Carlton.

The state is doing a pilot program using water from the Erie Canal to enhance popular fishing tributaries in Western New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the initiative today. It is part of the “Reimagine the Canals” initiative, where the state is using the canal to expand tourism and assist small businesses in the region.

This fall, the Canal Corporation increased regulated water releases into Orleans and Monroe County’s premium streams—Oak Orchard Creek and Sandy Creek.

In early November and early December, other Lake Ontario tributaries – Eighteenmile, Johnson, Oak Orchard, Sandy and Salmon Creeks – will see higher flows.

This will entice more brown trout, steelhead, and Atlantic and Pacific salmon populations to run up these streams, improving conditions for the fish and expanding opportunities for local and visiting anglers, Cuomo said in a news release this afternoon.

“This fall, New York is enhancing some of our world-class fisheries and expanding opportunities for anglers into December by creatively using water from the Erie Canal to bolster fishing conditions and to extend the season,” Cuomo said. “As a fisherman, I’m pleased to see our incredible Lake Ontario tributaries will be host to even better experiences for anglers. This innovative use of iconic infrastructure continues our strong tradition of ecotourism while supporting our small businesses.”

The Oak Orchard River is one of several tributaries that will have its water levels boosted to improve the local fall fishery.

The New York State Canal Corporation is methodically releasing water from the Erie Canal into Lake Ontario tributaries, increasing the water levels and flows in streams and encouraging fish to travel farther upstream, which expands areas for ideal fishing conditions. In addition, the Canal Corporation will extend the annual draining of the canal in Western NY to create a longer season for anglers.

“Fishing on the Lake Ontario tributaries was already world-class and well known to experienced anglers,” said Brian U. Stratton, NYS Canal Corporation director. “We’re proud that our Canal’s infrastructure can be used to enhance the fishing experience for New Yorkers and be a catalyst for restarting the economy in Western New York.”

Throughout the length of the program, the Canal and tributary waters will be monitored for quantity and quality to document the success of the pilot program.

“The Reimagine the Canals pilot project will encourage even more New Yorkers to get outside and enjoy our state’s natural resources,” said Basil Seggos, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. “Water releases will benefit both the fish in these waters and the angling public by providing quality fishing opportunities, bolstering tourism, and supporting local economies.”

Return to top

Cory Pawlaczyk took this photo of a sunrise along the Erie Canal in Medina. It won second place in the “Along the Trail” category in an annual Erie Canal photo contest.

WATERFORD – A photograph of a sunrise along the Erie Canal in Medina is among 12 winners selected in the 15th Annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.

Cory Pawlaczyk took the photo that won second place in the “Along the Trail” category. The contest is organized by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Winners were chosen from a competitive group of over 435 entries, but only the top three were chosen in each of four categories. In addition, 12 photographs received an Honorable Mention including one of a tugboat by Susan Starkweather Miller of Albion.

“These remarkable images remind us that the NYS Canal System remains a symbol of strength for our communities, providing a distinct sense of place and pride in where we live, work and play. We are delighted to share them widely,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Susan Starkweather Miller of Albion won an honorable mention for this fall photo of the Tugboat Dewitt Clinton at Adams Basin in Monroe County.

Winning images can be viewed online (click here) and will be featured in the 2021 Erie Canalway calendar, which will be available for free at libraries, visitor centers, and by request beginning in December.

Winning images capture the beauty and uniqueness of the waterway, canal communities and landscapes.

“As New Yorkers, we are lucky—it’s easy to take for granted the natural beauty around every corner,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “The Erie Canalway’s annual photo contest gives us an opportunity to see our waterway’s iconic infrastructure through the eyes of others and appreciate its beauty. The amateur photographers who captured these images offer a glimpse into the past, present and future of the canal and remind us just how fortunate we are to have an amenity like this at our fingertips.”

Return to top

Photos by Tom Rivers

CASTILE – The Middle Falls at Letchworth State Park drew a crowd of people on Saturday to see the plunging water from the falls and the changing foliage of the forests.

The leaves in Orleans County are just starting to change while they are further along about an hour away in Wyoming County, home to Letchworth which was voted the best state park in the country in 2015 in the USA Today Readers’ Choice Award. Letchworth beat out 19 other state parks that were nominated in the United States.

This group enjoys being up close to the Middle Falls.

There was a hot air balloon giving rides over Letchworth on Saturday afternoon.

The hot air balloon added to the spectacle of color and nature at the park.

The Upper Falls isn’t too far from the Middle Falls. The Genesee River runs through Letchworth State Park.

This group with several RIT students showed up with their cameras.

The Portage High Bridge opened in December 2017, replacing a railroad bridge built in 1875. The bridge is 235 feet above the waterfalls, and stretches nearly 1,000 feet across the gorge. The new bridge cost $75 million and serves the Norfolk Southern Railway.

Return to top