Let's take a look at an additional seven wildlife species that live, nest, or winter in the 7.5 mile corridor of the proposed "fjord trail" - a hugely expensive and highly controversial development project of Scenic Hudson which envisions a linkage between Beacon and Cold Spring. Let's also remind ourselves of the many official designations that the Hudson Highlands have received for their beauty and biologic value :
* "The Maurice Hinchey Hudson River Natural Heritage Area;
* A Scenic Area of Statewide Significance";
* thousands of acres of the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve; and containing "seven significant ecological communities."
* Additionally, NYS Parks has previously studied and mapped the area as an area of "outstanding bio-diversity" within New York State.
BALD EAGLE - NEW YORK STATE THREATENED SPECIE : Historic accomplishments in the field of animal restoration were made by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, under the direction of Pete Nye, when eagle chicks from Alaska and the Yukon were brought to former habitats in NYS and eventually grew to form the basis of today's outstanding statewide population of breeding Bald Eagles. Previously, the last known reproductive pair of eagles in NYS was in the early 1970's and that one nest failed because of egg shell thinning from DDT.
There are now, however, approximately 6 seasonally-active bald eagle nests in the Hudson Highlands area. But in the wintertime, eagles from all over eastern North America fly into our Delaware and Hudson River watersheds where they find open waters for fish and carcasses, and surrounding forests and mountains for undisturbed night-time roosting. It is not unusual to census 100 eagles or more near the river during the cold months of winter, and that's one reason why a Hudson Valley Eagle Fest, centered at Croton Point Park these past years has been so successful.
In spite of this transformation, there are still threats to eagles such as habitat development and destruction, pollution of food sources, nest disturbances, illegal poaching, etc.
NEW YORK STATE THREATENED SPECIE - TIMBER RATTLESNAKE : The extensive rocky hillsides and south-facing talus slopes in many parts of the Hudson River valley represent a very valuable habitat for a snake whose population has declined 60 to 90 percent statewide due to years of official persecution, poaching, widespread fear, and habitat encroachment. An unfortunate and misguided bounty was paid out by the state until 1971, and additionally, after that thousands of rattlesnakes were illegally caught and sold to collectors.
These long-lived but slow-to-reproduce reptiles need, among other things, undisturbed and deep winter denning sites (hibernaculums), as well as seasonally sunny knolls, outcrops, and sheltering boulders for gravid femaies - more evidence of their highly specialized habitat needs. Zoologists have identified a notable number of active dens along the Fishkill Ridge, which is directly to the east of the proposed development.
(SEE PHOTO AT TOP OF PAGE)
NEW YORK STATE THREATENED SPECIE - EASTERN FENCE LIZARD : There are only two naturally-occurring lizard species in NY state, and the fence lizard is presently relegated to only five known small population sites scattered amidst the rocky edges of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, and especially in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. New York is at the very eastern edge of their entire range, but these cute little reptiles enjoy a truly wide distribution and can be found in 20 other states. They get their name from their habit of basking on fence posts and sunny rocks and logs, and they are adept at quickly disappearing under rocks when predators, such as snakes, raccoons, or feral cats are nearby. Their preferred habitat is dry, rocky, steep and south-facing hillsides within or near oak forests. Known threats include the loss of natural areas to development, collection for the pet trade, mining, and fragmentation of their habitat by roads and building.
NEW YORK STATE SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN - NEW ENGLAND COTTONTAIL RABBIT:
Nicknamed the "brush rabbit" because of its preference for thickets, shrublands and tangled young sapling woodlands, this little-known mammal is the only native rabbit east of the Hudson River. It's often confused with the common Eastern Cottontail, which is far more adaptable to different habitats and therefore occurs in much higher concentrations.
New England Cottontails have declined regionally approximately 86% in the last 100 years, and are now only found in five geographically-isolated areas across New England, including in both Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands parklands. The primary reason for decline are habitat loss and fragmentation, competition with the Eastern Cottontail, and the incursion of exotic and alien vegetation which alter habitat quality. They are presently known to inhabit areas north of Breakneck Ridge, on the west side of Route 9D, in the general path of the proposed development.
NEW YORK STATE SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN - CERULEAN WARBLER : Among birders, this uncommon sky-blue spring migrant from South America is a cherished sight, and there is a small but noteworthy breeding population on the outskirts of Coid Spring, where they nest high in deciduous trees. ( There is no data that this species nests in nearby Westchester County, but their range extends into Appalachia where they are more abundant.)
Because Cerulean Warblers fly long distances each year between wintering and breeding areas, they are particularly subject to greater dangers than non-migratory birds, such as chickadees or downy woodpeckers. These migratory challenges include habitat loss in both hemispheres, chemical spraying in South America,, death from disease and from predatory cats, bad weather and wind farms. Research from the North American Breeding Bird Survey shows a 63% decline in numbers between 1966 and 2019.
NEW YORK SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN - EASTERN WORM SNAKE : Field biologist
Erik Kiviat of Hudsonia told me recently that in 50 years of natural history explorations he's only seen one Worm Snake. That's because this small pink-bellied reptile spends most of its life underground, and much of its activity is nocturnal. However, they can occasionally located under boards, logs, leaves or rocks, where they feed upon earthworms and soft-bodied insects. In New York, which is near its northeastern-most range, there are records from only eight counties - The Hudson Highlands, Long Island, and the Albany Pine Bush account for most sightings. Predators are believed to include opossums, shrews, and possibly moles, while more human-related dangers include habitat loss, ATV traffic in some sandy areas, mining, and flooding.
NEW YORK SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN - WOODLAND BOX TURTLE : Perhaps the greatest built-in disadvantage this attractive terrestrial turtle has is its long journey to reproductive age - about 5 years for males and approximately 5-11 years for females. Additionally, their clutch of 4-7 eggs, laid in June, oftern dont survive because of predation or poor weather during their solar incubation. Thus, the recruitment of new turtles into the population faces these inherent risks, and if you combine that with illegal collecting, road mortality, mowing of favored agricultural fields, flooding of nests, and depredation by dogs, skunks, raccoons, etc., you can see why a box turtle sighting is a cause for celebration and appreciation. They are considered "uncommon" in NYS, and their primary remaining geographic range includes Long Island, southeastern NYS, and parts of the Hudson River Valley. (With all this in mind, it would seem logical to certainly consider moving their official status up to a threatened listing, which would give them a higher degree of legal protection. This is a matter for the biologists to consider at the NYSDEC.)
One obvious negative affect of the proposed "fiord trail," as asserted in the DGEIS published on December 4th, 2024, is: "Given the high levels of human activity on the existing trails located within the Fjord Trail North corridor, box turtles would be highly vulnerable to removal by collectors, a persistent threat to box turtles due to their value in the pet trade. Their presence near the Fjord Trail North corridor suggests possible persistence of a local population despite collection pressures" (DGEIS CH lll. E-25)
Other LISTED wildlife, but not studied for this environmental impact statement, are mostly seasonal species in the general corridor of the proposed "trail" : Osprey, Pied-billed Grebe, Monarch Butterfly, Eastern Hognose Snake, Least Bittern, Tri-colored Bat, and Red-shouldered Hawk.
Additional comments will be added to this story soon, highlighting the many dangers and threats that the construction and operation of a so-called "fjord trail" would have on wildlife within and around the proposed 7.5 mile corridor.