To the casual observer, a Genesee Valley winter looks like a landscape at rest. But for those who know the river, the season is a masterclass in resilience and adaptation. At Genesee RiverWatch, we believe the health of our basin is best told through the stories of those who call it home—even in the deepest freeze.

This winter, we are exploring the ‘winter pulse’ of the Genesee. We began with the Short-eared Owls, arctic travelers who view our frozen fields as a seasonal sanctuary. We’ve investigated the mystery of Black Bears stirring in Letchworth during the January thaw. Next up are River Otters whose presence signals a recovering waterway. Then, we intend to look back a century to see how human residents of the basin navigated the legendary ‘Big Snows’ of the early 20th century.. Welcome to “winter on the river.”

Available now:

Part 1: The Travelers – Why Short-eared Owls choose our valley as their winter resort.

Part 2: The Anomaly – Investigating a rare mid-winter Black Bear sighting in Letchworth.

Coming up:

• Part 3: The Residents – The playful, hardy life of the Genesee River Otter.
• Part 4: The Ancestors – Winter life for residents of the Genesee River Basin, circa 1926.

At Genesee RiverWatch, we work year-round to protect the water quality and shoreline habitats that these species depend on and provide information and programs to connect people to the river. You can help us keep the basin a sanctuary for wildlife and a great place to experience by donating, joining in on summer paddles, or volunteering for our next river cleanup.