Humpback Whale Spotted Last Week in Hudson River

by Ethan Gilardi, Assistant Biologist

The Statue of Liberty had a surprise tourist last week!

A humpback whale was spotted in the Hudson River on December 7th & 8th in the vicinity of Liberty Island. Video and photos of the whale were posted to Twitter as boaters took notice of the large marine mammal.

New York City Parks Department confirmed the citing on their social media on Tuesday:

“Whale sightings have increased in recent years in N.Y.’s waterways. Reasons for the uptick may include an improvement in local water quality, & an abundance of food sources like Atlantic menhaden.”

New York City Parks Department

Marine wildlife education group, Gotham Whale, also posted about the sighting, tracking the animal during it’s visit and urging boaters to exercise caution while traveling on the Hudson.

Humpback whales are a rare sight in the Hudson, but are hard to miss due to their size and perchance to show off by frequently surfacing and breaching. The last humpback to find it’s way to the Hudson was in 2016, when a humpback took up a week long residence in the busy waterway.

Learn more about these amazing creatures in CWF’s field guide!

Month of the Falcon – Bonus shots – Palisades falcons

Bonus shots from wildlife photographer, Herb Houghton

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Peregrines are by far one of the most majestic birds of prey to observe in their natural habitat. Since 2003 they’ve been streaking through the skies of the New Jersey Palisades along the Hudson River. Thanks to Herb Houghton, we’re able to witness their majesty and their tenacity through his photography.

Peregrines have a streamlined profile. Built for extreme speed and maneuverability. © Herb Houghton
Peregrines have a streamlined profile. Built for extreme speed and maneuverability. © Herb Houghton

 

The fierce look of a female peregrine. © Herb Houghton
The fierce look of a female peregrine. © Herb Houghton

Herb first began photographing wildlife in his own backyard after some debilitating back surgeries put him out of work and made him pay more attention to the wildlife that was in his own backyard. He started out using simple point and shoot cameras using the “digiscoping” technique but finally he decides to get serious and he upgraded to some professional camera gear, including several super telephoto lenses. Herb’s work has been published in many publications, including The Peregrine Observer by New Jersey Audubon Society. He has photographed a wide variety of wildlife throughout New Jersey and especially near his home in Sussex County. Herb also volunteers at WallKill River NWR.

Here's a portrait of the unbanded male that nests along the cliffs of the Palisades. © Herb Houghton
Here’s a portrait of the unbanded male that nests along the cliffs of the Palisades. © Herb Houghton

Is it lunch time yet...? © Herb Houghton
Is it lunch time yet…? Young peregrines are banded for future tracking. © Herb Houghton

Herb first started photographing peregrines at the Palisades after looking up at the sky and noticing them flying overhead. He explored and found a rock outcrop and set out to find the falcons that he saw overhead. Since 2008 he’s documented each year’s triumphs and failures at the Palisades, and has witnessed the ferocity of these awesome predators. His photos have also helped zoologist Kathy Clark with ENSP to ID the nesting pairs and document nest success.

“What I love the most about these birds is that they are fearless predators which take their habitat very seriously. I’ve heard them scream like crazy, then each of the pair launches off of the cliffs and flies over the river all the way to the other side and then start dive bombing a red-tailed hawk or an eagle in Yonkers.” Herb said.

Peregrine harassing a red tailed hawk. © Herb Houghton
Peregrine harassing a red tailed hawk. © Herb Houghton

Herb has learned a lot about peregrines over the years. All from going out into the field to observe them in their natural habitat. Truly, it’s the best way to learn natural bird behavior. As Herb points out, it’s not just about taking photos. “To witness interesting behavior or a new behavior is exhilarating for me, even if it’s too far for a picture.” This past year Herb thinks he even witnessed a rare occurrence, where young of the year were feeding on some of the periodic cicadas that emerged in 2013.

Herb’s most memorable experience while watching the peregrines at the Palisades was when a peregrine bombed him while he was eating a snack while near the cliffs. He watched the bird fly way up until it was a speck in the sky and heard a “whoosh” as it dove within 10 feet of him. It “turned its head to look at me and started screaming her head off. The hairs on the back of my neck stood out as I proceeded to pack up and leave the lookout heading for the woods very quickly.” Thanks so much to Herb for allowing CWF to use his wonderful photos on our website and for sharing his stories of photographing the peregrines at the Palisades.

Copulation of a pair at the Palisades. © Herb Houghton
Copulation of a pair at the Palisades. © Herb Houghton

Prey delivery strengthens the pair bond. © Herb Houghton
Prey delivery strengthens the pair bond. © Herb Houghton

Herb watches the peregrines dive bomb red tailed hawks and eagles along the Hudson River. © Herb Houghton
Herb watches the peregrines dive bomb red tailed hawks and eagles along the Hudson River. © Herb Houghton

Young that are produced along the Hudson River will hopefully survive to adulthood and return to nest in the future. © Herb Houghton
Young that are produced along the Hudson River will hopefully survive to adulthood and return to nest in the future. © Herb Houghton

Juvenile peregrine falcon. © Herb Houghton
Juvenile peregrine falcon. © Herb Houghton

Liftoff! © Herb Houghton
Liftoff! © Herb Houghton