Editing Otselic, New York (section)

== Wildlife ==
Formerly most of the land was in agriculture, chiefly dairy. Since the end of the nineteenth century, farm abandonment has increased, and today forest cover and early succession forest regrowth dominate the landscape mixed with remaining dairy farms. The forest cover is mixed [[hardwood]]s (maple, cherry, ash, beech, basswood, birch and hemlock<ref name="Spafford1824">{{cite book| last=Spafford| first=Horatio Gates| title=A Gazetteer of the State of New York| url=https://archive.org/details/gazetteerofstate00spaf| year=1824| publisher=B. D. Packard| page=[https://archive.org/details/gazetteerofstate00spaf/page/493 493]}}</ref>) occurring naturally and large plantations of spruce and pine on state-owned lands. [[Pinus strobus|White pine]] was common prior to European settlement, but due to the high demand for its clear, light, easily worked lumber, pine stands were removed during the nineteenth century and today are almost totally absent. Logging has always been an important part of the local economy, utilizing high-value hardwoods for sawlogs as well as firewood and softwood poles and pulp.

Hunting, trapping and wildlife-related recreation such as birdwatching and wildlife viewing are important activities. Common wildlife include [[white-tailed deer]], [[North American beaver|beaver]], [[American mink|mink]], [[muskrat]], red squirrel, flying squirrel, [[Eastern gray squirrel|gray squirrel]], [[Eastern chipmunk|chipmunk]], [[coyote]], [[red fox|fox]], [[striped skunk|skunk]], [[raccoon]], [[North American porcupine|porcupine]], opossum, [[groundhog|woodchuck]], [[American black bear|bear]], [[North American river otter|otter]], [[fisher (animal)|fisher]], and [[bobcat]]. Bird life is varied and rich. [[Wild turkey|Turkey]] and [[ruffed grouse|grouse]] are plentiful and are popular game birds. During the summer breeding season, the Otselic area has over 100 breeding bird species, one of the highest numbers of breeding bird species in New York state. [[Bald eagle]]s breed in the area and [[osprey]] are seen regularly along the Otselic River.<ref name="BowersMcNulty-Bowers2010">{{cite book| last1=Bowers| first1=Bill| last2=McNulty-Bowers| first2=Eileen| title=Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in Central New York's Leatherstocking Country (Explorer's 50 Hikes)| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evJB7cNY8I0C&pg=PA160| date=June 14, 2010| publisher=Countryman Press| isbn=978-1-58157-749-5| page=160}}</ref> [[Common raven|Ravens]] are recolonizing the hills, reclaiming their historic range. [[Red crossbill|Red]] and [[two-barred crossbill|white winged crossbills]] from Canada and Alaska have bred in the large conifer plantations on New York State forest land.