Onondaga Lake

Bald Eagles.  A snowy owl.  A red-winged blackbird.  Even monarch butterflies.  All were captured by Syracuse-area wildlife photographers for the 5th annual photo exhibit this weekend at the Onondaga Lake Visitor’s Center.  The images are not only a demonstration of the beautiful wildlife in the area, they also document the resurgence of Onondaga Lake.

 (UPDATE:  The Morning Presentation and Birding Walk has filled; A second session has been added, running 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., also Feb 11th)

Contrary to what many Central New Yorkers might believe about Onondaga Lake’s ecosystem, it has become a winter home for many Bald Eagles. An event coming up February 11th aims to explain why.

(event registration & deadline info below)

Chris Lajewski is director of the Montezuma Audubon Center.

About three dozen self-described Water Protectors came to Syracuse’s Clinton Square Tuesday as part of a national day of action calling on the federal government to reject The Dakota Access Pipeline.  The group stood outside of the Bank of America to protest the loan issued to build the pipeline.  Many people came to stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux, the native population that has been negatively affected by the pipeline’s construction. Water Protector Margaret Birdlebough of Syracuse was among the crowd.

With signs in hand, Syracuse locals standing in solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux started their rally by chanting “Water is Life!” to the beat of drums.

Crews are expected to being working Saturday to repair a leak in a pipeline that released some raw sewage into the southern part of Onondaga Lake last Friday. High flows from last week’s heavy rain put enough pressure on the 50-year-old pipe to cause the leak.

As Onondaga Lake visitors get to enjoy expanded amenities such as the West Lake Trail, County officials have previously indicated a beach could possibly be added someday.  A new survey released today asks Central New York Residents what they envision for the lake including recreational activities.  FOCUS Greater Syracuse is offering the online survey on their website.  Spokesperson Dee Klees says this is different from the other lake surveys they’ve conducted in the past.