Meet Syl: Not One of the Many Bobcats Spotted in New York

It is no secret that we have a variety of wildlife in the Hudson Valley. This time of year, you hear about all types of sightings. Bears, owls, coyotes, and even foxes are regularly spotted.

Moose have become a bit more common but not as common as bobcats. Last week, it seemed that there were sightings popping up all over New York's social media. What's hard to say is whether there are more bobcats or if we are just more aware.

Bobcats Live in New York State

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has just about everything you need to know about bobcats on their website. In one survey done they estimated that in the Catskill region, there were 16 bobcats per 100 square miles. In 2012 they actually induced a management plan for the state.

SEE Also: Tracking Bobcats at Black Rock Forest Cornwall, New York

Bobcats can be spotted any time of day. It is not unusual to see one during the day. It doesn't mean you need to be concerned other than the fact that you are now in the presence of a bobcat. If you do spot a bobcat, the NYS DEC would like you to report it.

SEE Also:  Why Are There So Many More Bobcats in New York

How to Spot Wildlife Around Your Home in New York

Having a trail camera set up allows you to catch a lot of animals that have past by with little notice. Your dog might get the scent of something in the dark but you might not see it. Add a trail cam and suddenly you have a better idea of what is happening outside your house at night or even during the day when you aren't home.

I am not a trail cam owner yet so my sightings tend to be pretty few and far between. I get a quick glimpse of a fox that calls the woods behind my house home every so often. Pretty much everything else stays well hidden.

SEE Also: Coyotes Spotted on Camera in Long Island

I am lucky enough that I can hear a lot of the wildlife around my house. I definitely have three different types of owls. The fox I mentioned likes to be heard and there is the occasional fisher cat.

See Bobcats at the Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park

If you are curious about local wildlife and would like to see it up close I suggest a visit to the Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park. They have an amazing program that is helping so many of our wildlife neighbors including a bobcat named, Sylvia, Syl for short.

Syl is the 13-year-old female bobcat that calls the zoo home. She was actually surrendered to the zoo by her owner who kept her illegally.

Get our free mobile app

Some Other Wildlife You Can Spot in the Hudson Valley