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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.

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

Opening Day 2024

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — As Opening Day of New York State’s trout fishing season officially kicked off on Monday, April 1, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum (CFFCM) geared up for … more

By TED WADDELL | 4/5/24

A photo of Uncle Elery during a fishing trip

A tribute to Elery

My uncle Elery was born October 16, 1936 as one of what would eventually be 11 children. He grew up in a different time in far northern Maine, a place so remote it almost seems like another world. He … more

By AMANDA OLSEN | 4/5/24

This bufflehead is also black and white, but with more subdued plumage Females have smaller head spots. ..When swimming, the females show dark wings and an off-white breast and flanks. If they are not flying, buffleheads dive for food (mainly aquatic invertebrates). The dives are shallow and rarely last more than 15-25 seconds. Buffleheads like quiet, flat water in lakes or quiet stretches of rivers. When up in the Canadian breeding grounds, buffleheads use an old nest cavity. (Northern flicker cavities are their favorites.).

Snowbirds are returning north

Soon after the ice broke on the area lakes, I spotted signs of the coming of spring. Tiny black-and-white ducks were present on the lakes in Shohola, PA. At first, it was only a couple of ducks … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 4/3/24

A nice opening-day brown trout, ready for release.

Opening day 2024

As a long-time angler/fly fisher and columnist for this newspaper, I’m compelled to write a few words about the upcoming trout season. That is, if there is such a thing given the implementation … more

By TONY BONAVIST | 4/3/24

While walking our dogs (on leash) along a rural road in Pike County, PA, we encountered this porcupine. At our approach, the “quill-pig” froze and assumed the protective pose depicted here. A porcupine might also flail its quill-studded tail at a potential predator, giving the false impression that it can throw its quills. ..Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot throw quills. Their best defense involves assuming the stance in which they raise their quills so that, if bitten, the predator receives a mouth full of barbed needle-like spines. They can also thrash their tails, so keep a respectful distance and enjoy their delightful demeanor. ..This passive and slow-moving woodland inhabitant is a treat to see, as its inability to escape in haste allows for study of its unique characteristics. ..

A waddling wonder

Myths and misunderstandings abound in the natural world and can lead to undesirable outcomes. Such is the case when it comes to the quill-pig, more commonly known as the porcupine (they … more

By SANDY LONG | 3/26/24

Nothing puts you in a good mood like the first big chores outdoors.

Spring cleaning

Spring has sprung! And then it sort of fell on its face, rolled over, laughed and got up again before tripping over its shoelaces and jovially zig-zagging into a wall. It was at this point … more

By HUNTER HILL | 3/26/24

This wood frog is in the breeding pond and is probably a male (the males are darker and smaller than females). The sound of calling males in an active breeding pool resembles off-tune quacking ducks. Males call for receptive females, and successful males will grasp a female from behind (amplexus) to mate. Females deposit about 1,000 eggs on vegetation in deeper parts of the pond. Wood frog egg masses are frequently visible after breeding is over.....

Singing wood frogs mean the end of winter

As I write this (11 March), the temperature is in the 30s with a brisk NW wind that is gusting over 40 miles per hour—but I am thinking of spring. Someone who lives near Stroudsburg, PA told me … more

By SCOTT RANDO | 3/15/24

Buddhawg was a big fan of the fluffy white stuff, often sporting a fetching snowbeard after a romp outdoors...

The sorcery of snow

To see the writing on the wall is to predict some potentially unpleasant outcome on the near horizon. But following a light snow that dusted my walkway recently, I was treated to an artful … more

By SANDY LONG | 2/28/24

A new post

I do. That was the contract that resulted in a thousand “do’s” since. Careful, young fellas: you want to be mighty sure of the lady to whom you give the power of the … more

By HUNTER HILL | 2/28/24

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.