Ecology

A wide variety of plant and animal species live along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. An extensive botanical survey of the trail was conducted and a four-color botanical brochure was published in August 2005. The brochure is free. You can download it here.

Ducks, beavers, deer, foxes and even bears are just a few of the animals that you might spot along the trail. Just remember that these animals are wild, and that while it is fine to respectfult look, please DO NOT attempt to feed or touch them.

Since the trail follows along the path of the former Harlem Line of the New York Central Railroad, the area has a rich history. Along the trail you can see former railroad stations and other relics of the past. Interpretive signs highlight railroad, community, and natural history. You also can visit the individual trail section pages for more information on local history and the flora and fauna associated with each trail segment.

Wildlife Sightings on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail
If you see wildlife of note along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, please let us know the date, time, location and comments you have of the sighting, and send us pictures. We may choose to post your submission on our social media.
Please email us at: hvrta@taconic.net

Below is a list of wildlife that may been seen, starting in the winter. This information has been generously provided to us by Art Gingert.

  • Arrival of the first red-winged blackbirds along the trail, usually by February 20th if snow is melting or absent. Also, Canada geese and mallards about the same time.

  • First wood frogs calling from woodland or vernal pools along the trail (early to mid-March).

  • First spring peepers (by March 20th or end of month in cold year).

  • First chipmunks or later, woodchucks, up and out from hibernation.

  • Red foxes barking during mating season in February. Bobcats or bears along the trail. River otters in the cattail marsh or along the Webatuck. First whitetail deer fawn seen.

  • Early wood warblers, like palm and pine passing through. First groups of yellow-rumped warblers, thrushes, and vireos. First wood thrush song in mid-to-late spring, since they nest along the trail (especially just north of Amenia trailhead) and are exceptionally beautiful.

  • First timber rattlesnake on the trail, down from their highland dens.

    As for plant life, the flowers seen along the trail include wake robin, white trillium and dame’s rocket through spring and early summer. Notable shrubs include spicebush along watercourses in early spring.

    Below are wildlife documented by a herpetologist and ecologist during 11 visits to portions of the trail in 2001-02 (some of these animals and insects are more common in certain areas than in others):
    Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
    Eastern milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
    Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
    Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
    Eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta)
    Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata)
    Wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta)
    Short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda)
    White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
    Eastern cottontail (Silvilagus floridanus)
    Woodchuck (Marmota monax)
    Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
    Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
    Red-spotted newt
    Northern two-lined salamander (Euxx bislineata)
    American toad (Bufo americanus)
    Wood frog (Rana sylvatica)
    Green frog (Rana clamitans melanota)
    Pickerel frog (Rana palustris)
    Gray treefrog (Hyla Versicolor)
    Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
    Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula)
    Black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia)
    American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
    Wild turkey (Meleagris galopavo)
    Canada goose (Branta canadenis)
    American woodcock (Philohela minor)
    Veery (Catharus fuscescens)
    Virginia rail (Rallus limicola)
    Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
    Tree swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor)
    Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
    Common yellow throat (Geothlypis trichas)
    Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
    Gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
    Dragonfly nymph (Odonata)
    Blue pirate (dragonfly) (Pachydiplax longipennis)
    Twelve-spot skimmer (dragonfly) (Libellula pulchella)
    Predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidea)
    Marsh beetles (Hellodidea)
    Spring azure (butterfly) (Celastrina ladon)
    Pearl crescent (butterfly) (Pyciodes tharos)
    Cranefly (Tipulidae)
    Viceroy (butterfly) (Limenitis archippus)
    Dun skipper (Euphyes vestries)