Public Service Announcements - Blooming Grove, NY 8/11/26

During the past few weeks there have been numerous reports of black bears in this corner of Orange County, including several near Washingtonville's Center,

three in the Whispering Hills Development in Chester and one on the Heritage Trail. This is the time of year when adult animals who have had Spring offspring are allowing their growing babies to wander farther and start to search for food on their own. This can be dangerous if a human happens to walk between the Momma Bear and Cubs. Black bears do not otherwise bother people as long as you stay alert and do not bother them Experts recommend that if you are in a wooded area you make some noise so they have time to check on their offspring and know they are not in harm's way. While there has been an increase in reported sightings it is impossible to know for sure whether there are more bears in the area or just more people reporting them. Other forest creatures are traveling more now too, so keep an eye out for baby fawns as they hopefully learn how to cross our roads safely, and fox kits as well, especially if you have small dogs and cats or chickens in your yard.

One more suggestion. It is so tempting to fill some seed containers for the beautiful birds who are very busy right now. But birdfeeders can attract bears. I too have been tempted to put out a nice big container, but just to be on the safe side (and especially since there is a lot of natural seeds for them anyway), is to

put some seed out mid afternoon and then put the container(s) where they are inaccessible for the nightime. Also, if I hear any kind of fuss going on in the farm paddocks in the evening I put my 2 back floodlights on. If there are coyotes passing through they usually "high-tail it".

At last week's Blooming Grove Town Board Meeting, Deputy Supervisor Cathy Acevedo reported that there has finally been significant progress on the repaving of North Street (which had been held up due to resolving some complex water connections that had to be worked on along the way). While the project is nearing completion there is still some work being done at intersections near the Northern end, so Deputy Supervisor Acevedo requested that drivers maintain extra caution, both for the road workers, residents and other drivers in the area.;

It was quite a shock to many residents that the Dunkin Donuts Drive-Thru on Route 208 just South of Clove Road shut down and cleared out abruptly. But the Sunoco Gas Station portion AND the interior Market are full of supplies and have NO plans to leave. The operators of this facility have given excellent and friendly service to Blooming Grove residents for many years, and it would be great if we all help their business to keep succeeding, stopping by for a sandwich, soda, beer, cookies, crackers, ice cream or whatever. And while you are there how about giving them a smile and telling them we're very glad they are still there for us.

Speaking of danger in woodlands and rock walls, this is also the time for

Timber Rattlesnakes (and other snakes) to be out and about. There were 3 or 4 sightings in Blooming Grove just in the past 2 weeks. Timber Rattlesnakes are a critically endangered species, so we are privileged to be an area that still allows them to both exist and prosper, especially in the areas beneath the Schunnemunk Cliffs. Most residents in our area know to be watchful in the forest and especially where there is significant stone, since sunshine against stone helps keep them warm, and their habitat has been somewhat lessened this year due to the clearing that has occurred along Clove Road. So, landscapers beware, if you are catching up on your yard's maintenance this might be a time to take a pass on the weeds between the rocks of those lovely old stone walls or you might end up in an ER. Rattlesnake bites are nothing to fool around with so if you unfortunately get bitten head for the nearest ER .