About Mike:

Mike Bottini is a veteran naturalist, outdoor educator, and environmental consultant. After completing graduate studies in wildlife ecology at the University of British Columbia, Mike worked for fourteen years at the Group for the South Fork, a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. He has taught field ecology, environmental science, and natural history courses at St. Lawrence University, Southampton College, and CUNY, has published three books, and is an award-winning columnist. Mike's wildlife research studies have included elk, spotted and tiger salamanders, spotted turtles, piping plovers, and river otters. He continues to introduce people to the outdoors through his field naturalist classes, nature walks, and paddling trips.
Mike also serves on the board of SPOKESPEOPLE of Eastern Long Island, a cycling advocacy organization working to create safer cycling conditions on the east end. For info, visit www.spokespeopleli.org

Otter Study report:

Mike's 2008 River Otter Study Report is now available! Click Here to download the pdf (1.5 MB).

Please contribute to the River Otter Study by posting your sightings and comments to Mike@Peconic.org.

HOW TO REPORT OTTER SIGHTINGS
With its short legs, unusual tail, and large size (3.5 - 4 feet in length), it is difficult to confuse an otter on land with anything else. Our most common semi-aquatic mammal, the muskrat, is much smaller. But in the water, relative body size and shape can be difficult to determine. Watch carefully and note how the animal is swimming.
• Does it stop and raise its head and shoulders above the water like a periscope (otter)?
• Is there vegetation trailing from its mouth (muskrat)?
• Is it taking a direct route and staying at the surface (muskrat), or repeatedly diving (otter)?
Be sure to include the date, time, and location along with your detailed observations.

BOOKS:

Exploring East End Waters:
A Natural History and Paddling Guide ($19.95)

The most comprehensive guide to kayaking and canoeing on the East End of Long Island, Mike Bottini’s long-awaited Exploring East End Waters is based on his award-winning column in The Southampton Press.

Also Available:

Trail Guide to the South Fork ($19.95)

The first comprehensive guide to trails of the South Fork. For more than ten years the Group for the South Fork has been working with the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society and the Southampton Trails Preservation Society to preserve and define the trails, ancient and new, of the South Fork of Long Island.

NEWS/COURSES ARCHIVES:

June 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
2005 and earlier