The Catskill Chronicle

UPPER DELAWARE REGION (July 24, 2014) – Hundreds of community members took advantage of the unusual, free opportunity to interact with over 55 scientists and amateur naturalists participating in the second annual Upper Delaware BioBlitz on June 29 in Sullivan County.

The official count of 807 species identified in 24 hours at the BioBlitz is growing as the 9 research teams submit their final tallies after confirming and revising initial IDs. Many first occurrences of species officially documented as appearing in Sullivan County were identified.  First occurrences are not new species but show the dearth of field level research that has taken place over the last century and been published. Results for each team are presented in Table 1.

Table 1

Many first occurrences of species officially documented as appearing in Sullivan County were identified.  First occurrences are not new species but show the dearth of field level research that has taken place over the last century and been published. Results for each team are presented in Table 1.

Specialized researchers comprised nine teams surveying the site and included aquatic macro-invertebrates (aquatic insects, mussels, snails), birds, botany (plants), bryology (lichens, mosses, worts), fish, fungi (mushrooms, molds), herpetology (reptiles, amphibians), invertebrates (terrestrial insects, worms, snails), and mammals.

Species were identified during the BioBlitz using a variety of collection protocols, ranging from actual capture to digital photography. Mammals, for instance, were mostly identified using a trail camera, vocalizations and other signs. A healthy variety of 6 different bat species were identified including a good-sized maternity colony of little brown bats; a species that has been decimated by White-nose Syndrome.

Barbara Leo noted her bird team research highlights to be, “the Louisiana and Northern waterthrushes which are generally found by their territorial singing in late April and May respectively.These were both by direct observation in the habitats that were expected to support them.  The other really nice find was an ovenbird nest with an incubating female and 3 eggs.  Most birders never get to see this warbler let alone find their nest, which is concealed on the ground.  The two singing hooded warblers on the yellow dot trail at Ten Mile Access was, also, a very nice surprise.”

The primary goal of a BioBlitz is to compile a snapshot survey of the life on a particular property as an indicator of the biodiversity of the area. Other goals include raising public awareness, fostering scientific interests in children, and providing opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

All of the data will be compiled into an inventory of species collected during the event and will be publicly available to help future scientists understand what was living on the site at this particular time, including rare or endangered species. Experts will travel from far distances to study this unique area of New York State. Scientists participated from Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Cornell University, East Stroudsburg University, Penn State University, and other academic, nonprofit, and governmental organizations.

"At Stroud Water Research Center, we have a long history of studying aquatic macroinvertebrates, which are a vital part of healthy streams and ponds,” commented Kerry Mapes from Stroud, “It was great to be able to document the wide variety of species at this site because it demonstrates that it’s an area worthy of continued protection and conservation. The BioBlitz is a great opportunity to teach the public about the importance of biodiversity and for them to see the creatures they may not have even realized were there."

During a BioBlitz, biologists and volunteers gathered to identify as many living things as possible within 24 hours on a demarcated parcel of about 500 acres within the Ten Mile River Scout Camp in the Town of Tusten, NY. Collection started at noon on Saturday, June 28 and continued until noon on Sunday. The public portion of the event was on Sunday, June 29th from 9am to 3pm. The center of activities was at the head of Rock Lake on Cochecton Turnpike where there were organized activities for adults and families including birding walks, aquatic insect identification, electrofishing demonstrations, eagle trips, native wildflower walks, and mushroom forays. Sponsors and participating organizations provided information and offered educational programs on their particular areas of expertise. Over 25 volunteers including a steering committee helped to organize the event.

A portion of this property is within the National Park Service’s Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor and borders the river at the Ten Mile River landing. The BioBlitz site included the Indian Cliffs, Rock Lake, Maul’s Pond, and Grassy Swamp Pond, one of the only quaking bogs to be scientifically authenticated in the Catskills.

Winners of the “Photos of Nature in the Upper Delaware Watershed” Facebook photo contest sponsored by the Upper Delaware BioBlitz were recognized during the public portion of the event. The judges, local photographers Sandy Long, Roy Morsch, and David Soete, made their selections in 8 categories and also selected an overall “Best in Show” winning photograph which was awarded the grand prize, a digital camera. More information on the photo contest is available at: www.facebook.com/bioblitzphotosofnature.

Next year’s Upper Delaware BioBlitz will be on the Pennsylvania side of the river. For more information the public can visit www.upperdelawarebioblitz.com  or email info@upperdelawarebioblitz.com.