The Catskill Mountains are situated in southeastern New York, approximately 100 miles northwest of New York City. This region is home to the Catskill Park, a protected forest reserve spanning about 700,000 acres that safeguards a vast and complex natural environment. The landscape is characterized by high peaks, rugged valleys, and an extensive network of pristine rivers and streams. This diverse topography and habitat mosaic contribute to a thriving ecosystem, making the Catskills a refuge for a wide range of terrestrial, avian, and aquatic wildlife.
Large Forest Mammals
The Catskills support a substantial population of larger forest-dwelling mammals, with the American Black Bear being the region’s most recognized large species. The area has one of the highest densities of Black Bears in New York State. These bears are opportunistic omnivores whose diet shifts seasonally, relying on succulent plants and soft mast like berries in spring and summer, and hard mast such as acorns and beechnuts in the fall. Black Bears are not true hibernators but enter a dormant state in dens from late fall to early spring, conserving energy by slowing their heart rate and metabolism.
Another highly visible mammal is the White-Tailed Deer, which is prevalent throughout the mountain ranges, often favoring lower elevations where food is more abundant. As herbivores, deer play a significant role in shaping the forest structure through their browsing habits. Coyote populations in the Catskills have expanded, filling a niche as a primary predator, especially of deer fawns, and they are found across all elevations. The Eastern Coyote is an adaptable omnivore that preys on small mammals and scavenges carrion.
Avian Life and Birds of Prey
The Catskills’ forested landscape and open waterways provide habitat for a diverse array of avian species, particularly raptors. Birds of prey like the Red-Tailed Hawk are common sights, soaring over open country or perching along roadsides, hunting small rodents and mammals. The region also hosts several species of owls, including the Great-Horned Owl and the Barred Owl, which are mostly active at night.
The recovery of the Bald Eagle population is a notable conservation success story in the region, with these large raptors often observed near the major reservoirs and rivers where they hunt fish. Peregrine Falcons are also known to nest in the vicinity of the Catskills’ steep cliffs and bridges. Game birds, such as the Eastern Wild Turkey, thrive in the mix of forested hills and valleys, foraging on the ground for nuts, seeds, and insects.
Aquatic and Wetland Species
The Catskills are renowned for their cold-water ecosystems, especially the numerous streams and rivers that are a haven for native and stocked fish. Trout species are the most iconic aquatic life here, including Brown, Rainbow, and native Brook Trout, which require the clean, cold water found in streams like the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek. These waterways are often stocked to support the popular fly-fishing heritage of the area.
Wetland habitats are populated by common amphibians, such as various species of frogs, including spring peepers, and numerous types of salamanders. The aquatic mammals of the region include the North American Beaver and the elusive River Otter, which is frequently spotted feeding and playing in small streams and marshes. Water-dwelling reptiles like the Common Snapping Turtle are also present in the marshes and creeks, sometimes seen basking near the water’s edge.
Smaller Terrestrial Fauna
The forest floor and understory are home to a variety of smaller terrestrial animals, including several mid-sized predators. Bobcats, which are notoriously elusive, are present throughout the mountain ranges and prey on rabbits and rodents. Fishers, a type of weasel that was reintroduced to the Catskills in the 1970s, have established a healthy population and are known for their aggressive hunting of small prey, including their ability to predate porcupines. Both Gray and Red Foxes are also common, utilizing their agility to hunt small mammals, birds, and insects across the varied landscape.
Common forest herbivores and omnivores include Raccoons and the North American Porcupine, which defends itself with barbed quills. Squirrels and Chipmunks are ubiquitous, constantly foraging for nuts and seeds on the forest floor and in trees. Terrestrial reptiles include the non-venomous Common Garter Snake and the more localized venomous Timber Rattlesnake. Timber Rattlesnakes are typically found in specific dens on rocky, south-facing slopes.