Catskillmountaineer.com Forum

This video isn't from the Catskills, but is worthy enough to break the rules. There are Barred Owls on the outside fringes of the Catskills

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfz_OCO7prQ

In the Winter the Barred Owls from the Durham Valley, will move up on the Escarpment. You can sometimes find them from Windham High Peak to North-South lake. Last year there was one nesting just below Anvil Rock on the trail to Palenville Overlook.

But, you are right. There are very few owls in the Catskill Mountains. Mainly because of a lack of rodents.

Mike,

You mentioned "Anvil Rock" on the trail to Palenville Overlook. I've never heard of Anvil Rock. Where is it located? Do you have any photos?

Thanks as always,
Rich

Anvil Rock is the ledge where the Catskill Mountain House used to be. The ledge on the north side does look like an anvil. Sorry for the confusion.

That is amazing! I think I have seen one of those owls around Cairo.

That is so cool! It's like a pet owl.

Back in the 1600's the Catskills had more wildlife then any other area in the United States. Trappers then came in and cleaned out the beavers, minks, fishers, etc. Then in the 1800's the forest were cut killing off the squirrels, rodents, bobcats, etc. Even the deer were hunted to near extinction. A 200 acre compound near Slide Mtn was created so people could come and view the rare species called deer. All the deer we see today came from this compound.

While the forest have come back, little has been done to re-establish the habitat. The reason you rarely see owls is because there is so little prey for them. In the Winter you rarely see mice, voles, or squirrels. Without them, you can't have owls. On the western side of the Catskills and the Eastern Escarpment you can find a rare owl. Mainly around North-South Lake. Where there is food, there are rodents. And, you will find owls.

Prior to March of 2010 the animal habitat was coming back in a good way. We could find multiple bobcats and fishers on just about every mountain. After the massive snow storm of Feb/Mar 2010, this killed off many of the smaller animals. Bobcats were affected the most. Over 99% of them died. We have only found 1 surviving bobcat in the Catskills in the past year. One bobcat did moved up from the valley to KHP. It will take a great many years for them to come back.

Actually above 3500 feet there are a lot of birds. One of the wonders of the Catskills. Mainly because it is a little cooler. If you hike above 3500' and take a break, it is amazing how many birds will show up. When you are moving you will rarely seem them.