WATCH WILDLIFE ROUND THE CLOCK FROM HOME
Eagles and snow geese and bears, oh my! You can watch all of them this winter, anywhere you go, through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s round-the-clock livestreams.
A new 24-7 livestream from a black bear den in Pike County launched this week, bringing to four the number of livestreams the Game Commission plans to run into the spring of 2023. Also showing are the Farm Country Eagle Livestream, which provides a bird’s-eye view into a long-established nest in a giant sycamore overlooking scenic farmland, the ever-popular Hanover, Pa. Eagle Livestream and the agency’s Snow Goose Livestream capturing the migratory action at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
This is the first time since 2021 the Game Commission is offering livestream viewers an up-close look inside a black bear den. Bears den each winter, but few of them in known spots where cameras can be installed and footage streamed to viewers.
Luckily, the opportunity has presented itself again, and the Game Commission is proud to bring the livestream back, said the agency’s Information and Education Director Steve Smith.
“While all of our wildlife livestreams are popular with viewers, there’s nothing like watching and listening to bear cubs as they begin to explore their surroundings and, ultimately, emerge from the den with their mothers to see their new world in Penn’s Woods,” Smith said. “We’re glad to bring back this livestream for 2023 and offer it alongside our annual wintertime wildlife cams, all of which entertain and educate viewers, and give them a whole new appreciation for wildlife.”
The livestreams are a collaborative effort by the Game Commission, HDOnTap and Comcast Business. HDOnTap provides the streaming services and Comcast Business provides the internet connectivity for the two eagle cameras.
“HDOnTap is thrilled to partner with the Pennsylvania Game Commission for the return of the bear den cam. Watching the sow raise her cubs is a rare and beautiful experience. The bear cam is a staff favorite, it’s a joy to watch the cubs play, learn and grow every day, and we know viewers feel the same,” said Kate Alexander of HDOnTap.
All of these livestreams can be viewed directly at HDOnTap.com or through www.pgc.pa.gov.
Pennsylvania’s black bears usually are born in January and begin walking in about eight weeks. They leave the den when 3 months old. During the 2019 run of the black bear livestream, the bears left their den on April 11. In 2021, their departure date was March 24.
Bald eagles typically lay eggs in mid-February and, if the eggs are viable, they’ll hatch in mid- to late March, with young fledging in June, but continuing to stop back at the nest.
Snow goose migration typically peaks at Middle Creek from mid-February to March.
For more information on these species and others, visit www.pgc.pa.gov.
Pennsylvania Poultry Owners Should Take Steps Now To Protect Flocks Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza As spring wild bird migration nears, Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield remind poultry owners to protect their flocks, and their neighbors’ flocks, along with the commonwealth’s economy, against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) by remaining vigilant and reviewing and implementing strong biosecurity plans and practices.
Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order, Creating New Office of Transformation and Opportunity to Spur Economic Growth, Create Jobs, and Foster Innovation in Pennsylvania On January 24, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor’s Office and the Economic Development Strategy Group. Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will have a seat at the table representing Pennsylvania agriculture as part of the Economic Development Strategy Group.
While in Lancaster County, Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding attended Univest’s Agriculture Summit. During the event, he had the chance to recap the past year and the challenges that were brought on with a focus on the future.
Area veterans are invited to contact my office to schedule appointments to talk with a representative from the American Legion to ensure they are getting the services and support they need.
With newly elected Speaker of the House Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) refusing to call the House into session, I joined most of my fellow House Republicans this week in signing on to a letter demanding we be called back to the state Capitol to do the people’s business.
House members got an early jump on the upcoming budget as they took part in a roundtable discussion about the state’s finances this week with Matthew Knittel, executive director of the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO). In the coming months, the House Appropriations Committee will be tasked with creating a fair annual state budget that respects taxpayers.
