NOAA Fisheries recently issued a reminder to mariners that North Atlantic right whales are migrating along the Atlantic coast.
North Atlantic right whale calving season begins in mid-November and lasts through mid-April. During this time, right whales are on the move.
NOAA Fisheries estimates that North Atlantic right whale populations are less than 450 individuals.
source: NOAA Fisheries
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
2014 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest
The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife is encouraging photography enthusiasts to take a photo of a Delaware hunter in action, and enter it in the agency's 2014 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest. The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside of the 2015-2016 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide to be published next year.
A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Hunters in Action.” Judges also will look at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.
The contest is open to Delaware residents of all ages, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware. Portrait orientation is preferred; landscape photos, if chosen among contest winners, may be cropped for presentation.
Photos must be 8 x 10 paper prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away.
The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned.
Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, Attention: Rachel Weissenfluh, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, and must include a completed and signed entry form. A photo release form signed by a parent or guardian also is required if a minor is in the photo.
Information and forms are available on the Division’s website or www.facebook.com/delawarefishwildlife. Information also may be requested by calling Rachel Weissenfluh at 302-739-9911, or emailing rachel.weissenfluh@state.de.us.
source: DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife
A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Hunters in Action.” Judges also will look at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.
The contest is open to Delaware residents of all ages, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware. Portrait orientation is preferred; landscape photos, if chosen among contest winners, may be cropped for presentation.
Photos must be 8 x 10 paper prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away.
The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned.
Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, Attention: Rachel Weissenfluh, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, and must include a completed and signed entry form. A photo release form signed by a parent or guardian also is required if a minor is in the photo.
Information and forms are available on the Division’s website or www.facebook.com/delawarefishwildlife. Information also may be requested by calling Rachel Weissenfluh at 302-739-9911, or emailing rachel.weissenfluh@state.de.us.
source: DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Mid Atlantic Superstar Beaches
Nineteen Mid Atlantic beaches have been named as superstar beaches by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
In June, 2014, NRDC announced the designation of 35 popular beaches across 14 states as superstars for consistently meeting water quality safety thresholds. Superstar beaches met national water quality benchmarks 98% of the time over the past five years.
Mid Atlantic Superstar Beaches:
New York
Long Beach City (Nassau County)
New Jersey
Washington (Margate-Atlantic County)
40th St. (Avalon-Cape May County)
40th St. (Sea Isle City-Cape May County)
Stone Harbor at 96th St. (Cape May County)
Upper Township at Webster Rd. (Cape May County)
Wildwood Crest at Orchid (Cape May County)
Broadway (Pt. Pleasant Beach-Ocean County)
Delaware
Dewey Beach-Swedes (Sussex County)
Maryland
Point Lookout State Park (St Mary's County)
Assateague State Park (Worcester County)
Virginia
Virginia Beach at 28th St.
Virginia Beach at 45th St.
Back Bay Beach (Virginia Beach)
Little Island Beach North (Virginia Beach)
North Carolina
Ocean Pier at Main St. and Sunset Blvd. (Brunswick County)
Beach at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (Dare County)
Ocean Pier at Salisbury Street in Wrightsville Beach (New Hanover County)
Ocean Pier at Ocean Blvd. and Crews Ave. in Topsail Beach (Pender County)
Mid Atlantic State Beach Water Quality Rankings (out of 30 states)
Delaware 1st
New Jersey 3rd
Maryland 4th
North Carolina 5th
Virginia 6th
New York 24th
Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches collects and analyzes the latest water testing results from the EPA and state beach coordinators at nearly 3,500 beach testing locations nationwide.
The 24th annual report card examines the various causes of water pollution that plague America’s beaches and presents crucial, timely opportunities to keep pollution out of America’s beaches, lakes, and rivers.
source: Natural Resources Defense Council
In June, 2014, NRDC announced the designation of 35 popular beaches across 14 states as superstars for consistently meeting water quality safety thresholds. Superstar beaches met national water quality benchmarks 98% of the time over the past five years.
Mid Atlantic Superstar Beaches:
New York
Long Beach City (Nassau County)
New Jersey
Washington (Margate-Atlantic County)
40th St. (Avalon-Cape May County)
40th St. (Sea Isle City-Cape May County)
Stone Harbor at 96th St. (Cape May County)
Upper Township at Webster Rd. (Cape May County)
Wildwood Crest at Orchid (Cape May County)
Broadway (Pt. Pleasant Beach-Ocean County)
Delaware
Dewey Beach-Swedes (Sussex County)
Maryland
Point Lookout State Park (St Mary's County)
Assateague State Park (Worcester County)
Virginia
Virginia Beach at 28th St.
Virginia Beach at 45th St.
Back Bay Beach (Virginia Beach)
Little Island Beach North (Virginia Beach)
North Carolina
Ocean Pier at Main St. and Sunset Blvd. (Brunswick County)
Beach at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (Dare County)
Ocean Pier at Salisbury Street in Wrightsville Beach (New Hanover County)
Ocean Pier at Ocean Blvd. and Crews Ave. in Topsail Beach (Pender County)
Mid Atlantic State Beach Water Quality Rankings (out of 30 states)
Delaware 1st
New Jersey 3rd
Maryland 4th
North Carolina 5th
Virginia 6th
New York 24th
Testing the Waters: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches collects and analyzes the latest water testing results from the EPA and state beach coordinators at nearly 3,500 beach testing locations nationwide.
The 24th annual report card examines the various causes of water pollution that plague America’s beaches and presents crucial, timely opportunities to keep pollution out of America’s beaches, lakes, and rivers.
source: Natural Resources Defense Council
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Red Wolf Howls
Red Wolf Howls
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina
Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
At Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, wolf enthusiasts can hear endangered red wolves howl in the wild while learning about red wolf recovery efforts on the refuge.
Summer howlings cost $10 per person; children age 12 and under are free. No registration is required.
Events will occur except with lightning, heavy rain, or wind or impassable roads. Pets are not allowed.
For more information, call 252-216-9464
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina
Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
At Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, wolf enthusiasts can hear endangered red wolves howl in the wild while learning about red wolf recovery efforts on the refuge.
Summer howlings cost $10 per person; children age 12 and under are free. No registration is required.
Events will occur except with lightning, heavy rain, or wind or impassable roads. Pets are not allowed.
For more information, call 252-216-9464
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Saturday, February 1, 2014
2014 International Swan Symposium
2014 International Swan Symposium
February 3-6, 2014
Tidewater Inn
Easton, Maryland
Swan experts and enthusiasts from throughout the world will gather to discuss the latest in swan research, conservation, management and protection at a joint conference of The Trumpeter Swan Society and the Wetlands International/IUCN SSC Swan Specialists Group.
The conference will feature three days of contributed scientific papers, posters and workshops, a banquet and silent auction, and one day of field trips.
Papers will cover all aspects of swan ecology with workshops providing an opportunity to discuss a few specific conservation issues.
source: Trumpeter Swan Society
February 3-6, 2014
Tidewater Inn
Easton, Maryland
Swan experts and enthusiasts from throughout the world will gather to discuss the latest in swan research, conservation, management and protection at a joint conference of The Trumpeter Swan Society and the Wetlands International/IUCN SSC Swan Specialists Group.
The conference will feature three days of contributed scientific papers, posters and workshops, a banquet and silent auction, and one day of field trips.
Papers will cover all aspects of swan ecology with workshops providing an opportunity to discuss a few specific conservation issues.
source: Trumpeter Swan Society
Monday, January 6, 2014
Delaware Seashore State Park Improvements
Delaware Seashore State Park is getting almost $10 million worth of major upgrades, replacements and enhancements along the south and north sides of the Indian River Inlet.
The improvements will include refurbishing the existing campground on the south side of the bridge, as well as replacing the previous campground and day use parking area on the north side of the bridge.
Other upgrades and enhancements will include expansion for visitor parking, and construction of a scenic beach access, a promenade along the Indian River inlet replacing and updating 94 family camping sites and six new RV sites with full hookups, renovated bathhouses, a DART bus stop. Other improvements will include a playground, improved bathhouses and showers for beach users, more parking for anglers (daily), a nature walk, and outdoor pavilions.
Construction will take place simultaneously on the north and south sides of the bridge. The area used as a construction site on the north side will be returned to an 80-space full hook-up family campground, 221 visitor parking spaces, a playground, enhanced fishing access along the inlet, as well as direct access to the beach on the north side of the inlet.
The park’s south campground and the southeast day use area are scheduled to reopen before Memorial Day weekend in 2014.
For more information, visit:
www.deldot.gov
www.destateparks.com
The improvements will include refurbishing the existing campground on the south side of the bridge, as well as replacing the previous campground and day use parking area on the north side of the bridge.
Other upgrades and enhancements will include expansion for visitor parking, and construction of a scenic beach access, a promenade along the Indian River inlet replacing and updating 94 family camping sites and six new RV sites with full hookups, renovated bathhouses, a DART bus stop. Other improvements will include a playground, improved bathhouses and showers for beach users, more parking for anglers (daily), a nature walk, and outdoor pavilions.
Construction will take place simultaneously on the north and south sides of the bridge. The area used as a construction site on the north side will be returned to an 80-space full hook-up family campground, 221 visitor parking spaces, a playground, enhanced fishing access along the inlet, as well as direct access to the beach on the north side of the inlet.
The park’s south campground and the southeast day use area are scheduled to reopen before Memorial Day weekend in 2014.
For more information, visit:
www.deldot.gov
www.destateparks.com
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Winter Recreation Ideas
The following list includes a few recreational activities that can be found throughout the Mid Atlantic states:
Cross-country Skiing - Showshoeing
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in New York contains 7.5 miles of ungroomed ski trails and 2.5 miles of ungroomed snowshoe trails.
In Pennsylvania, Erie National Wildlife Refuge offers 4.5 miles of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking.
In West Virginia, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge has 31 miles of ungroomed refuge trails plus 18 miles of trails groomed by adjacent White Grass Ski Touring Center. For information, call: 304-866-3858.
Snowshoe enthusiasts can explore Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge by taking a Snowshoe Discovery Tour from adjacent White Grass Ski Touring Center. Information: 304-866-4114.
Ice Fishing
In New York, anglers can enjoy ice fishing at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
Outdoor Recreation
Along the Delaware River, Bulls Island Recreation Area is a popular destination for biking, hiking, boating, wildlife watching, and outdoor recreational activities. Bulls Island is a hot spot for birding during spring migration. The Bulls Island Recreation Area is approximately three miles north of Stockton, within Delaware Township.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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