First Karner blue butterflies of the year have been seen!
On Monday, May 18, the first Karner blue butterflies of the year were observed at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.The endangered Karner blue butterflies spend the winter as eggs, they hatch into their larval stage to feed on the wild blue lupine, and have just now emerged from their chrysalises. This first brood of adult butterflies will mate and lay eggs on the wild blue lupine. Those eggs will hatch and form the second brood, with those butterflies appearing usually in early July.There are several trails in the Preserve & Park where you can observe these small blue butterflies. The most accessible are at Camp Saratoga where the trail leaves from parking lot #1. The other trails are Old Gick Farm and Fox which are accessed from parking areas off of Route 50, just north of King Road.There will be lots of butterflies to see at the Wildlife Festival that is scheduled for Sunday, May 31st at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road in Gansevoort. At the festival, there will be hourly butterfly walks starting at 11:15. At the festival there will also be live raptor programs, pond exploration, nature crafts and other hands-on activities. The festival runs from 11:00 – 3:00 and is free of charge.
Delegan Pond Stocked with Trout
A little later than usual, but today, the trout were finally released into Delegan Pond.Camp Saratoga Delegan Pond, Scout Pond, Fishing ProgramThe Town of Wilton Town Board, owners of property known as Camp Saratoga has stocked Scout Pond for resident fishing.
- The stocking program is for the Town of Wilton residents only.
- April 1st to July 1st, will be reserved for fishing by Town of Wilton resident youths age 16 or under, and may be assisted by an immediate adult family member.
- The remainder of the trout fishing season will be open to Town residents to October 15th, the last day of trout season, for all persons over the age of 16 with a required, valid, New York State Fishing License.
- Fishing limit is 2 per day.
- Adults after July 1st (catch and release) is recommended.
- No live bait is permitted (worms and lures permitted).
Celebrate Earth Day Wednesday, April 22
Special Opening Event11:00 am at the Fox TrailheadJoin members of all of our partners; New York State DEC, The Nature Conservancy, The Town of Wilton, and Saratoga County as we celebrate Earth Day by celebrating the our new stewardship agreement with DEC and DEC’s purchase of the Fox and Frawley parcels. At the end of the ceremony, everyone will have a chance to plant wild blue lupine plants in the Karner blue butterfly habitat. Preregistration is required. Volunteer Projects1:00 pmHelpers needed! We will be doing two volunteer projects at the Fox parcel. Volunteers can help DEC Biologist Kathy O’Brien mark the transects for the Karner blue butterfly monitoring or work with DEC Wildlife Biologist Melissa Neeley to put up state trail markers along the trails. Preregistration is required. Evening Nature Walk7:00 pmEnjoy the beauty of early spring and the creatures that appear in the evening. On this walk we will be listening for the distinctive “peenting” of the American woodcock’s courtship display. We will also listen for some of the amphibian residents of the vernal pools – wood frogs, spring peepers, and more! Preregistration is required.
Fire Tower Re-Opens April 11 and 12
Fire Tower Hours at Camp SaratogaSaturday & Sunday April 11 and 12 from 10:00-3:00 pmClimb an authentic fire tower and view a replica fire observer’s cabin without having to climb a mountain! Get a treetop view of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. The schedule is subject to weather conditions and availability of Volunteer Fire Tower Interpreters. To confirm that it is open, contact Larry Gordon (Town of Wilton Fire Tower Coordinator) at (518) 469-0918. Please use parking lot #3 on Scout Road.
Spring Vacation's Naturally Fun Programs
Orienteering Hike at Camp SaratogaMonday April 6 at 1:00 pmCan you find your way using only a compass to guide you? Learn this important outdoor skill and then use this new knowledge to navigate the course at Camp Saratoga. There may be a prize at the end! Preregistration is required.
Trail Report 3/14/15 Spring Conditions
The trails were groomed on Friday the 13th. Track was set, but with the freeze/thaw conditions, track did not set in some places.Expect spring conditions with icy spots and slushy spots. There is still full snow coverage on the trails.Our agreement with NYS DEC does not allow us to groom after March 15.
Trail Report 3/6/2015
It looks like we are heading into our last cold weekend. The trails were groomed today and track was set.Heading into next week, the forecast is for temperatures rising above freezing during the day which will impact when we can groom. (It has to be below freezing.) So the conditions are beginning to change!Our contract with NYS DEC has our end date for grooming as March 15.
Trail Report 3/3/2015
Trails were groomed this morning and tracks were set. We are supposed to get some snow and some wintery mix this evening into tomorrow.We will not be grooming on Wednesday as the temperatures will be too warm. The plan is to groom again on Thursday once the temperatures drop down below freezing again.
Trail Report 2/27/2015 Groomed and Ready for the Weekend
The trails were groomed today and track set. We are ready for another beautiful weekend of skiing, maybe even some fresh snow on Sunday!Enjoy the dry, cold snow while you can - there may be a change in the weather next week.
Trail Report 2/12/2014 - Tracks Were Set!
The trails were groomed and tracks were set this afternoon. The snow is smooth and deep and lovely!Just a reminder that the 8k snowshoe race will be taking place on the trails on Sunday morning. So for people who might want to try the snowshoe race, you can still participate and try your hand in this great snow. Here is the link for information on the snowshoe race: http://www.saratogastryders.org/local-races/upcoming-races/The rest of you can sleep in and then go for a ski in the afternoon. It will be warmer and you won't have to worry about the snowshoe race!
Trail Report 2/9/15 Let it Snow!
As of noon-time today, there was another half-foot or so of snow on the trails.The trails were all rolled at noon-time and again in the early evening. The conditions continue to be fantastic!!
Trail Report 2/4/2015 More Snow!
Yes, we are in a winter wonderland! The trails are in great shape, they were rolled yesterday morning and then groomed yesterday afternoon.Today's dusting should make for a nice surface over all that groomed snow.Get out and enjoy!
Trail Report 2/2/2015 Snow Wonderful Snow
The groundhog would not have seen his shadow today at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, but we are happy to know that we have lots of winter ahead of us!Almost a foot of snow fell in this storm and the trails are in great shape.The trails were rolled late this afternoon and we will see about rolling and/or grooming again tomorrow.Happy Winter everyone!
Trail Report 1/30/2015 More Fresh Snow!
Another day, another three inches of fresh powdery loveliness!The trails were rolled this afternoon.It is supposed to be bitter-cold tomorrow, so bundle up out there.Guess what - they are forecasting another chance of three inches for Sunday night into Monday. This is what winter is supposed to be like!!
Trail Report 1/28/2015 - Beautiful Conditions
The newly-fallen four inches of snow were rolled this morning and many people were out during the day enjoying the excellent conditions.This afternoon the trails were groomed so the conditions should continue to be great as we finish off the week.With a little more snow forecast for late Thursday into Friday, that will be the icing on the cake!!
Trail Report 1/27/2015 Some Fresh Snow
We are as disappointed as the rest of you that we did not get the accumulation we were hoping for with this storm system.Today the trails received about four inches of light powder that is on top of a firm to icy base.The trails were groomed on Saturday before our Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe and will be groomed again when the snow stops falling with this current storm.
Trail Report 1/20/2015 - Yes, There is Still Snow!
With the ugly rain event on Sunday, some people were worried that our trails would be in terrible shape.We are pleased to report that they have been groomed today and the conditions are quite nice!We will groom again if needed later in the week in preparation for the Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe on Saturday, January 24th.Happy Trails!
January 24th Annual Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga
Annual Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe at Camp SaratogaSaturday, January 24 from 6:00-9:00 pm Luminaries will glow along 2.5 miles of groomed trails. Along the way you will find fields and forests, two warming bonfires, and plenty of hot chocolate. The terrain is suitable for all levels and ages and includes a smaller 1 mile loop. Participants can drop-in anytime during the evening, no registration is needed. Snowshoes will be available on a first-come first-serve basis in the I.P. Winter Lodge off of Parking Lot #2 for $5/person for non-members. This event is weather permitting. Call 450-0321 for more information. We are still looking for volunteers for the event, please call if you are interested in helping out!
