This female Bald Eagle was discovered in distress without visible injuries back in August, 2022, and rescued by Sergeant Mike Stalter.
For several years now, visitors to the Brookwood Point Conservation Area have enjoyed watching the nesting pair of bald eagles that have settled in the area. Many people have admired the protected birds as they soar over Otsego Lake or watch for prey from a nearby tree.
Early one morning in August, Otsego Land Trust staff discovered the female bald eagle splayed on the ground, but with no visible injuries. Sergeant Mike Stalter of the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, who is also a general falconer, helped to gently secure the eagle.
A kayak sits ready to launch from Brookwood Point on Otsego Lake.
As summer winds down and autumn approaches, there is perhaps no better time to get out and enjoy the beauty of Otsego County’s pristine lakes and waterways.
For people who own their own boats, this time of year is generally when they begin to taper down their activity after a long summer of many days on the water, but for those who don’t have a boat of their own it is an excellent time to rent one from one of the local boat rental operations. From fast-moving power boats, to spacious pontoon boats, to kayaks and canoes, numerous local rental opportunities exist.
Otsego Lake, the “jewel in the crown” of county lakes, offers several possibilities.
On Saturday, August 13, the Otsego Lake Association (OLA) held its annual meeting in the pavilion at the Otsego Sailing Club on Brookwood Point. Founded in 2002, OLA’s mission is to educate, advocate and actively participate in protecting the health, beauty and well-being of the lake. The audience was looking for information in regard to the recent beach closures.
Following Drew Porter’s brief history of the Sailing Club, Jim Howarth announced a State award recognizing the excellence of the OLA newsletter and naming Scottie Baker as the recipient of the Presidential Award for her many years of dedicated service. Wayne Bunn presented the Lake Citizen award to Lee Ferrara, a master scuba diver on the Biological Field Station dive team that sets out the no-wake and monitor buoys, assists in lake research and cleans out the water intake for the Village.
The eagle looks on with admiration and gratefulness to Deputy Stalter
When you find a wild raptor wounded, ill or otherwise incapacitated WHO you gonna call?
Mike Stalter!
Mike Stalter, a deputy in the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, possesses a general falconry license. He is well known in the community as the first point of contact for handling raptors, which include owls, falcons, eagles and hawks. This is the second downed eagle that Mike has rescued, this one in response to a 911 call from a painting party gathered at Brookwood Point on Otsego Lake. The dispatch contacted Mike and thankfully he was available to respond to the injured female bald eagle.
He carefully approached with one hand extended, calmly speaking to her. While she was watching his one hand, he was able to reach around with the other and secure one talon, and very quickly the other. Mike states that handling any raptor is very dangerous and requires years of training and specialized skill. Aside from the obvious threat of the sharp talons, eagles can apply 650 lbs. of pressure slicing through skin and bones “like butter.” He wrapped the wings and legs in blue painter’s tape, secured her in a box and contacted the Environmental Conservation Police. She was delivered to Charles Koop, who owns and operates a local volunteer wildlife rehabilitation center affectionately known as the “Dr. Doolittle Farm” in Pittsfield.
The Otsego County Sheriff’s department was contacted about a sick eagle at Brookwood Point early in the week. They have worked with wildlife animal rehabilitator Charles Koop from the Town of Pittsfield. The eagle was transported to the Cornell Animal Hospital, and as of Tuesday, they reported that the eagle’s condition is improving with treatment. Cornell is testing and evaluating the eagle to try to discover why the animal was in distress. The ultimate goal is to release this beautiful raptor back into its home environment.
PAINT THE POINT – 7 a.m. – Noon. The public is invited to walk the gardens and view artists at work as they paint Brookwood Point. Resulting pieces will be on sale with the Cooperstown Art Association. Brookwood Point, 6000 St. Rte. 80, Cooperstown. 607-547-2366 or visit otsegolandtrust.org/calendar/paint-the-point
OTSEGO COUNTY FAIR – 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Come enjoy music, rides, food, exhibits, and much more at the Otsego County Fair. Otsego County Fair Grounds, 469 Mill St., Morris. 607-263-5289 or visit www.otsegocountyfair.org
James Foutch and Lily Van Essendelft after completing rowing lessons on Lake Otsego
Maybe you’ve seen the rowing shells on our lake in the early morning “Glimmerglass” hours, or maybe you’ve been intrigued by John Kruzinkski rowing a racing shell in the opening credits of the Jack Ryan series. Regardless, how does anyone learn to row a very skinny boat, let alone steer it when facing backwards?
This past month, our rowing club, Otsego Area Rowing (OAR), based out of Brookwood Point, hosted two rowing camps for novice junior rowers, ages 8 to 15, and successfully taught 18 brave young souls the art of rowing. The young rowers came from schools around the region. The coaches were all experienced rowers, including one former U.S. Olympic rower, Andrea Theis, and Whitney Macdonald, as well as Laura Kilty, Joe Novitski, Ed Ryan and Lang Keith. During the second week coaching was augmented with graduates of OAR’s previous camps: Iz Dudek, Creighton Williams and Charlotte Feury.
DRAG SHOW – 7:30 p.m. Hyde Hall presents local drag artists guiding visitors through time to learn about the origins of the estate and the history of the area. Event includes signature cocktails, live music, dancing, and fun. Tickets, $30 general admission. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park., Cooperstown. 607-547-5098 or visit hydehall.org
OTSEGO COUNTY FAIR – 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Come enjoy music, rides, food, exhibits, and much more at the Otsego County Fair. Otsego County Fair Grounds, 469 Mill St., Morris. 607-263-5289 or visit www.otsegocountyfair.org
70 MILE CANOE REGATTA – 6 a.m. Paddlers gather to start the 70-mile General Clinton Canoe Regatta. Course follows the Susquehanna River to General Clinton Park in Bainbridge where there will be entertainment, a craft fair, music festival, fireworks, and more. Kicks off at Brookwood Point 6000 NY-80, Cooperstown. Visit www.facebook.com/2022GCCR/
CANOE REGATTA – 5:30 p.m. The General Clinton Canoe Regatta returns this year with a weekend of races and events. Friday includes the Youth races for teens 11-18 and the generation gap races starting from the Sydney Fishing Access. The park will feature the rides, craft fair, and flee market with the Taste of the Regatta event including local food, entertainment, more. The 70 mile endurance race will be Sunday, May 20 and will start from Brookwood Point, Cooperstown. Public events will be held at General Clinton Park, 2520 NYS Hwy. 7, Bainbridge. Visit www.facebook.com/2022GCCR/
CIRCUS – 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. Bring the kids out for the Zerbini Family Circus featuring Animals, Aerialists, Jugglers, Clowns, and more. Pony rides available 1 hour before. Masks, social distancing required. Cost, $15/adult. Free Parking. 6th Ward Playground, Scramling Ave., Oneonta. 607-434-4419 or visit zerbinifamilycircus.com
COMMEMORATION – 11 a.m. Join Oneonta Vets Club to celebrate Veterans Day, commemorate soldiers past and present who fought for the US. Please wear masks, practice social distancing. Neahwa Park, Oneonta.
CONCERT – 6:30-8 p.m. Fetish Lane performs folk and bluegrass to benefit inns restoration. Free will donations. Major’s Inn, 104 Marion Ave., Gilbertsville. 607-783-2967 or visit www.themajorsinn.com
MUSIC FESTIVAL – 1 – 8 p.m. Celebration of Local Musicians features performances by 5 local bands, myriad individuals musicians. Donations support Gary Johnson Memorial Music Scholarship Fund. at Maple Street Park, Oneonta. 607-431-1001 or visit www.facebook.com/CleinmanNetwork/
