Have you ever stopped to watch a cardinal perched on a snow-flaked branch from inside a Dutch cottage in the crisp winter months?  Or listened to a ruby-throated hummingbird whiz past a babbling brook, while fly-fishing trout-rich waterways in the warm summer air?  The abounding natural beauty and native wildlife prevalent throughout the Catskill Region make each day a combination of unique experiences and delights for all of the senses.

Walking out the door in the morning opens your world to a variety of natural wonders and architectural splendors encouraging you to stop, listen and indulge in the simple pleasures that make the region a hidden gem, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  When beauty and knowledge surround you from all sides, in all forms, whether artistic, architectural, natural or animal, it is sure to nourish body, mind and spirit – and keep you returning for replenishment for sea years to come.

Nothing is more delightful than to discover with your own eyes, a magnificent and rare bird you might normally find depicted in a coffee table book.  Countless species of birds are discovered daily in the perfect pockets of nature throughout the mountains, woodlands, fields and ponds where they reside.  Bird-watching can be done anywhere in the Catskill Region whether you chose to casually observe over an afternoon taking pictures or join an organized tour. 

Birdwatching
Once the sport of kings, falconry is available to all interested adult visitors at Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience in Earlville, where you work with trained raptors (birds of prey), learn why raptors are the ultimate hunting machines, and gain insight into the differences among the species – how each hones its hunting techniques to capture specific prey.  You can interact with harris hawks, red-tail hawks, lanner falcons, peregrine falcons, gyr falcons, eurasian eagle owls, tawny owls and barn owls. 

The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, a chapter of the national Audubon Society, covers the northern Catskill Mountain and upper Susquehanna River.   You can visit its wildlife sanctuary and go on guided field trips and bird walks in search of owls, hawks and waterfowl.

For eagle lovers, guided bald eagle habitat trails can be explored with the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River National Park Services, when wintering birds congregate along the Upper Delaware River, as area ponds and many river sections are frozen.  The Eagle Institute is dedicated to the protection of the bald eagle and other birds of prey, and offers educational fieldtrips during the winter months, which is the off-season for breeding and weaning. 

Fly-Fishing
For those who prefer to watch denizens of the waters, the vibrant crystalline water supply of the region supports one of the strongest freshwater fish populations on the planet.  Providing optimal conditions for large browns and rainbow trout, the tail waters of the Delaware River’s main stem and the point where it meets with East and West Branches attract global experts and enthusiasts.  Here, fly-fishing is at its most challenging, and the wild fish of the region’s waters make worthy opponents, stronger and heavier by far than stocked fish.

Historic Gems
Many enjoy a leisurely visit to the charming towns throughout the region that still showcase priceless architectural gems, mostly from the 17th through the 19th centuries, with homes and buildings reflecting the then-popular styles of Colonial, Federal, Queen Ann, Gothic Revival and Victorian American.  Remaining structures include the Gomez Mill House in Marlboro, the oldest surviving Jewish homestead in North America; Huguenot Street in New Paltz, considered the “oldest street in America,” with stone homes built between 1692 and 1894; the Gideon Frisbee Homestead in Delhi, a fine example of early Federal Architecture from 1790; and the Bronck Museum in Coxsackie, showcasing one of the oldest surviving Dutch homes in New York State, dating back to 1663.

Art thrives not only in architecture, but also in the landscape painting so indigenous to the region, which is home to the first movement in American art, known as the Hudson River School.  Embark on the Hudson River School Art Trail, covering over 15 miles and seven sights that inspired America’s first great landscape artists, including founder of the movement, Thomas Cole, and his successor Frederic Church.  One of the most frequented attractions is the majestic Kaaterskill Falls, a favorite subject to many of the Hudson River School painters, as well as a desirable site for hiking, picnicking and bird-watching.

The Legend of Rip Van Winkle
Art, nature and history are so poignantly combined in one spot in the region.  Atop Catskill Mountain you can hike, bike, ski and see where the beloved 19th-century American artist Washington Irving is said to have found inspiration for “Rip Van Winkle.”   The exact setting of this legendary short story on Rip’s 20-year “snooze” has been widely debated by locals for over a century.

The Father of Ecology
Visitors can tour the home of John Burroughs, a well-respected nature writer and founder of the American conservation movement.  The John Burroughs Memorial Homesite & Boyhood Rock includes his summer retreat, Woodchuck Lodge, as well as hiking trails and picnic areas.