Delaware Highlands Conservancy

Follow us on Instagram @DHConservancy (www.instagram.com/dhconservancy) for daily educational posts from our region! Eagle photo by Richard Justus

Hello and welcome to the first "unofficial" Eagle count from Sunday, January 17th from the Dr. Ted Kerpez Memorial blind at the Mongaup Fall Reservoir. The weather cooperated and so did the Eagles. Mostly cloudy skies made it a bit easier to spot the Eagles as they flew over the reservoir toward the blind. Some sun peeked out but not for long. Temperatures were above freezing but there was a little bit of ice far out from the blind where 3 Eagles were spotted walking around. ...There were 28 adult and 29 juvenile Eagles sighted at the blind yesterday from noon until about 4:30. Additional sightings on Plank Rd. included 3 adults and 2 juveniles. Most of the sightings were flying but a few did perch for a short while which allowed us to get a spotting scope on the Eagles for viewing. There were about 45 visitors during out time there and social distancing was observed as well as the capacity limit inside the blind. In addition to the Eagles, the feeders were pretty active with a variety of small birds feasting on the seed and suet. Among the birds were Blue Jays, White and Red Breasted Nuthatches, Juncos, a male Downy Woodpecker, American Crows, Ravens, Tufted Tit Mouse, Chickadees and a Carolina Wren. The Wren was a surprise visitor and the first one we have seen at the feeder in all the years we have been there. On the water, American Black Ducks, Common Mergansers, Ring-billed Gulls and a Belted Kingfisher skimming the water helped to round out the species we saw. If anyone is planning on coming to the blind, please remember masks are required by the NY DEC as is social distancing. Please also respect the areas that are posted as off limits during the Eagle season. There were a few people who wandered under the bridge which is a restricted area. If you bring something into the blind and finish eating it or drinking it, please take your garbage with you. Here are a few pictures from yesterday. See more

Here's a fun opportunity to participate in a citizen science project! Follow the link below for more details.

Applications are now being accepted for the Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship and the Vanessa Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship, which are open to graduating seniors intending to pursue a field in environmental studies or education in college. Students in eligible districts should contact their guidance counselors for applications, which are due on March 26th, 2021. Click for more details.

From all of us at the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, we wish you a healthy, happy, and peaceful new year with brighter days ahead.

Our Eagle Watch volunteers can't be there with you in person this winter, but they are working hard to help you have a great eagle-watching season. In this video, join volunteers Paul Gamer and Brad Orey for a visit to the Dr. Ted Kerpez Memorial Eagle Viewing Blind at the Mongaup Falls Reservoir. You'll get important safety information, Eagle Etiquette tips, suggestions for the best times and places to view eagles, and guidance for a successful eagle-watching experience. D...o you have any questions? Comment below! Find a map and GPS coordinates for the viewing areas on our website at www.delawarehighlands.org/eagles/eagle-watching/map/. Get even more tips for eagle-viewing at the Lackawaxen River Access with Conservancy volunteer Kerry Engelhardt, here: https://www.facebook.com/DelawareHighlandsConservancy/posts/5082454558461483 *Please note that due to the pandemic, parking areas may not be cleared in a timely manner. Use caution in snowy or icy conditions. Please wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow all CDC and state guidelines.*

A note of thanks as we look ahead to 2021 - https://mailchi.mp/de/a-worldwide-day-of-generosity-7904680

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy's future home will be the 144-acre Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, generously donated by the Van Scott family. Join us for a closer look at the Nature Reserve, its history as a farm, and a preview of the programs and activities we will offer for the community. The Conservancy tentatively plans to open the Van Scott Nature Reserve to the public in Spring 2021 and we look forward to welcoming you!

From all of us at the Conservancy, we wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Thank you for all you do to protect land, water, and wildlife in the Upper Delaware River region. Photo by Tina Tison

Today is #GivingTuesday, a special global day of giving in support of the charitable organizations whose work you value most. If you have already given in support of the Conservancy's year-end fundraising appeal, THANK YOU! If not, please click the link below to read our year-end letter to you. Every gift to the Conservancy is deeply appreciated and is put right to work here in your own backyard--protecting the forests, farms, waters, and wildlife habitat of the Upper Delawa...re River region. Read our letter here: https://delawarehighlands.org/2020_fall_appeal/ Or, make a donation here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_e/s/n8SXcgS6LeYVly5kG2lrqw Photo by Susan Roberts

From all of us at the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, we wish you a healthy, happy, and safe Thanksgiving holiday. Photo by Nicole DeCarolis

Our Eagle Watch volunteers can't be there with you in person this winter, but they are still working hard to help you have a great eagle-watching season. Here's Conservancy volunteer Kerry Engelhardt with some helpful tips for viewing eagles at the Lackawaxen, PA River Access/Boat Launch. Do you have any questions for Kerry? Comment below! Find a map and GPS coordinates for the viewing areas on our website at www.delawarehighlands.org/eagles/eagle-watching/map/. *Please note that due to the pandemic, parking areas may not be cleared in a timely manner. Use caution in snowy or icy conditions. Please wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow all CDC and state guidelines.*

Don't forget -- you have until December 7th to view the "Nature Heals: Restore, Reconnect, Renew" Photo Contest show at The ARTery Gallery in Milford, PA! Visit https://arterygallerymilford.com/ for business hours. Photo by Cristina Marchello; runner-up, wildlife category. ARTerygallerymilfordpa

A wintry moment of peace at the Conservancy's Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake, PA. We're working hard to complete the necessary updates to the buildings and property to open to the public, tentatively planned for spring 2021.

We encourage you to support our communities and shop local whenever possible--but if you're shopping on Amazon, don't forget to choose Delaware Highlands Conservancy as your charity through Amazon Smile! It costs you nothing, and Amazon will donate a portion of proceeds from your purchases to the Conservancy.