By Jennifer Patterson
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 4 is seeking volunteers to participate in its Winter Raptor Survey.
Designed to identify habitats used by bird species, the survey is focused especially on those that are threatened or endangered.
While the specific goal is to identify habitat used by threatened northern harriers and endangered short-eared owls during their non-breeding winter period, the DEC records all raptors seen or heard, including owls, hawks, vultures, falcons and eagles.
The data will be used to help guide future conservation and protection efforts.
“The DEC Winter Raptor Survey is an excellent opportunity for avid birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, or novices who just want to get involved to participate in conservation,” said John Weidman, Region 4 acting regional director. “Volunteers will assist regional wildlife biologists in tracking New York’s bird species to ensure these birds are protected and able to thrive in our ever-changing environment.”
Survey sites are located across the nine counties that make up DEC Region 4 (Greene, Schoharie, Delaware, Montgomery, Columbia, Rensselaer, Albany, Schenectady and Otsego). Stationary surveys are completed on a weekly schedule from mid-November to late April.
The survey is a 1.5-hour commitment, beginning one hour before sunset and ending 30 minutes after.
Volunteers are welcome to participate in as many surveys as their schedules allow, and DEC will provide training to those in need. DEC does not provide transportation to and from survey sites, and volunteers are asked to use their own binoculars.
To learn more about the program and how to get involved in the Winter Raptor Survey, email DEC Region 4 wildlife biologists at wildlife.r4@dec.ny.gov.
For information, go to https://dec.ny.gov.
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