Defenders of Wildlife Blog

An eastern painted turtle clings to a floating log.

When you think of New York, you may think of Broadway, bright lights, busy streets and expensive living. But far from the big city, you can find a striking example of New York’s iconic natural beauty. The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge–often called one of western New York’s best kept secrets—sits midway between Rochester and Buffalo along the Oak Orchard Creek.

The 10,828 acres of wetlands, forest and grasslands was originally called the Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. However, the state of New York managed adjacent property known as the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management area. To avoid confusion, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) renamed the wildlife refuge “Iroquois” for the Native Americans who once inhabited the area.

The refuge is located along the important Atlantic flyway. Many birds travel this route to move between their nesting grounds and their winter homes. A variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, warblers and sparrows are among the more than 260 bird species documented on the refuge.

In 1986, two bald eagles took up residence in the refuge. The birds were relocated from Alaska in attempts by the state and FWS to restore New York’s eagle population. Today, several nesting eagles live in the refuge. The return of the eagle is a triumph for the natural environments of the state and the country. Other birds of prey include the red-tailed hawk and the American kestrel, which are both common sights.

Webcam catches nesting eagles guarding their eggs.

What to Do

Photographers and nature observers can find great viewing spots along nature trails and overlooks. Hiking, fishing, skiing and snow shoeing are also popular activities.

Kayaking and canoeing are permitted (no motorized boats allowed) and offer closer looks at wildlife around Oak Orchard Creek. Beavers, turtles, mink and red fox can be seen along the river edge.

If you need to borrow a pair of binoculars, head over to the refuge headquarters. Here you can grab brochures, view display panels and talk with personnel to find out where you should start exploring.

The refuge hosts several special events throughout the year, including guided tours and bird watching days hosted in partnership with the Buffalo Audubon Society. Through a continued partnership with Canisius College, visiting groups can team with specially trained college students who guide them through a day of wildlife observation.

So while skyscrapers are still stunning sightings, you should find a little time to ditch the big city for some truly awe-inspiring scenery and TAKE REFUGE at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in the towns of Alabama and Shelby, New York.

And don’t forget:  If there’s a refuge you want us to spotlight, comment on this post, and we’ll do our best to answer your questions or feature your refuge, here, on our blog.

Are you ready for a rare wildlife experience? How about an actual ‘bird’s eye view’ of a growing family of bald eagles–LIVE? Check out the streaming live video footage (above)from a bald eagle nest in Decorah, Iowa, courtesy of the Raptor Resource Project.

Watch as two eagle parents take turns at the nest, tending to the eggs and the newly hatched eaglets. Listen to the fluffy chicks pip, laugh at their wobbly antics, and smile as the female gently tucks them under her breast. Over the past week, over 22 million people have followed the Decorah eagle family eggstravaganza. On April 2, the first of three eggs hatched (see a collage of the first 24 hours), followed by number two the next day. The third egg is expected to hatch any day now. What a drama—life unfolding minute by minute in a tree 80 feet above the ground. As I write this, momma eagle sits patiently atop her brood. Every so often she stands up to check on them—that’s when you see the little fluffy heads poke out. I’m joined by 136,000 viewers, who like me, are curious about what happens in an eagle’s nest and want to experience that joy when the next egg hatches. What a rewarding and intimate glimpse into the life of an American icon.

Background on bald eagles

Four years ago, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service removed the bald eagle from the Endangered Species List. The announcement marked a successful milestone in the species’ recovery from the brink of extinction. Today, illegal shooting of bald eagles is considered the biggest threat to their survival. Other threats include lead poisoning from eating ducks that have consumed lead shot, power line electrocution and habitat loss.

Find out more about bald eagles.

Braving the cold has its rewards. A bald eagle (like this one) topped the list.

I just spent a frigid but fun Saturday leading a dozen kids and their families on a bird count here in Washington, D.C. Brent Elementary School held its second annual “New Year’s Bird Count,” a spin-off of the nationwide Christmas Bird Count (sponsored by the National Audubon Society). Brent is the first public school in the nation to follow this citizen science tradition, and close to 150 people participated this year.

I led a group out to Hains Point, an area along the Potomac River. We caravanned around the island, stopping at various pull-offs to scan the ice floes in the river or the trees along the golf course.

“Those are just a bunch of seagulls,” muttered several participants as we got out of the car to look at a large flock out on the ice. I, too, have been guilty of ‘gull glaze over’ in the past and knew I had to set up my spotting scope quickly to peak their interest.

“Wow!” I heard now, as they saw the birds magnified, “what kind of gull is that?” Herring, great black-backed, ring-billed gull – three identities revealed as differences in leg color, body size and bill markings were noticed. “I didn’t know there were different types of gulls!” exclaimed one parent excitedly.

Northern shovelers (like the ones pictured here) left an impression.

Ducks, too, became a lesson of reward through closer observation. Amidst the common mallards, we discovered a pair of northern shovelers, or rather their rear ends as they swam away from us. The handsome male, dressed in emerald and chestnut, received several oohs and aahs through the scope. We also found a lesser scaup (another duck), and admired his jet black head and golden eye.

Blue jays and starlings perched in bare branches, tufted titmice flitted along the ground below. A northern mockingbird struck a pose on a trash can as we drove by. Suddenly I spotted a silhouette atop a tree and we pulled over quickly. It was a merlin, a small, streaky breasted falcon. “Cool!” remarked one parent, admiring it in the scope. My sentiments exactly.

Our count ended with a bald eagle sighting (the first for most of the kids) and a fly over of nearly six hundred Canada geese. Not your typical Saturday for these families, who gained a new appreciation of the wildlife around them and made discoveries together.

One woman commented to me, “I never knew what I was missing” when it came to birds. All it took was a closer look and the willingness to get out there and do it.