Battle of Valcour Island: October 11, 1776

This date in Lake Champlain History

Battle of Valcour Island: October 11, 1776

Royal Savage, Benedict Arnold’s flagship, is shown run aground and burning, while British ships fire on her (watercolor by unknown artist, ca. 1925)

Continental Brigadier General Benedict Arnold and his 17-ship flotilla were defeated after three long and separate actions at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain when they engaged 25 ships under British Captain Thomas Pringle.

Benedict Arnold

The Continental Army had retreated from Quebec to Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Crown Point in June 1776 after British forces in Canada were reinforced. They Americans then spent the summer of 1776 strengthening those forts, and building additional ships to augment the small American fleet already on the lake under the command of Arnold.

The British had a 9,000 man army in Canada but needed to build a fleet to move it on the lake. By early October, the British fleet, which significantly outgunned the American fleet, was ready to launch their offensive.

Battle of Valcour Island: October 11, 1776

On October 11, 1776 Arnold lured the superior British fleet into the straight between Valcour Island and the New York mainland where their maneuverability was limited. Although Arnold’s makeshift fleet was defeated, the battle delayed the British advance and caused it to fall back into winter quarters.

The British fleet and army withdrew from Lake Champlain on October 20, 1776 and returned to Canada for the winter. It was nearly a year before the British advance was renewed.

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This 128-page softcover book features stunning historical images from the archives of Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and other regional collections, and includes chapters on Patriotic Sites and Celebrations; Commerce in the Canal Era; The Age of Steam; Crossing Lake Champlain; Recreational Boating; Summer and Summer Folk; Hunting and Fishing; and Winter. ‘Lake Champlain’ tells the story of this historic, busy commercial corridor and recreational destination.

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Vermont’s Snakes Are on the Move

Help biologists document them by reporting a sighting

Fall marks the time when Vermont’s snakes may travel long distances to return to their den sites for the winter. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is asking people to keep an eye out for snakes while driving to avoid running them over and also to report any snake they see while out and about. These sightings will help to document the distribution of different snake species in Vermont.

According to Jim Andrews, coordinator of the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, roads can be great places to find snakes in the fall, but they can also be deadly for the reptiles.

“To a snake, a road is essentially a warm and sunny ledge that serves as a perfect place to bask and raise its body temperature,” said Andrews, who is collaborating with the Department to document and conserve snakes in Vermont. “Sadly, this often results in a fatal encounter with a car. We’re asking people to please try to avoid hitting them on the road whenever safely possible.”

Wildlife biologist Doug Blodgett works to conserve snakes for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. According to Blodgett, snakes provide important services to people like eating disease-carrying rodents and garden pests. He believes that while some people may fear snakes, the creatures are too often misunderstood.

“Vermont’s snakes are generally harmless. Even timber rattlesnakes, which live only in isolated pockets of western Rutland County, are extremely shy and nearly always try to hide or avoid an encounter with people,” said Blodgett. “Despite their low profile, snakes are extremely important animals in the ecosystem.”

Blodgett and Andrews are asking the public to help efforts to conserve snakes by submitting sightings that document where different species are found. Citizen reports will also be useful in indicating where important road crossings exist so that appropriate road crossing structures can be considered. These sightings might also raise early warning signs, such as if species seem to be absent where they used to be common, or other trends that indicate when additional conservation action may be needed.

“Our knowledge of the current range of snakes is largely dependent on photos provided by citizens who happen to find them during their day-to-day activities outdoors,” said Andrews. “Keep your eyes open this fall and, if you do encounter a snake on the road or anywhere else, please snap a photo and send us a report.”

To send a report, go to vtherpatlas.org, or email Andrews directly at jandrews@middlebury.edu.

New Law Protects Vermont’s Most Vulnerable Species

Last May Vermont’s Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law H.570, a bill that provides a new tool in the effort to prevent state-listed threatened and endangered species from disappearing from Vermont – the protection of critical habitat. Prior to this law, while the species themselves were protected, the places critical to their survival were not. Endangered bats often return to the same cave each autumn, and bald eagles frequently nest in the same tree year after year. Thanks to the new law, we have the ability to work with landowners and designate these critical habitats so they cannot be destroyed while the animals are elsewhere.

The bill represents only the first step in protecting habitat for these species and was designed to be limited in scope. While it does not protect large swaths of land for wide-ranging species like Canada lynx, it will protect those discrete, identifiable spots essential to the continued existence of these animals in Vermont. Hard work lies ahead to determine which threatened or endangered species need critical habitat protection, and then to enact those protections through the state rule-making process. But the bill’s passage provides impetus and optimism for the way forward.

How you can help

For wildlife to be conserved, the habitat they need to survive must also be conserved. It’s just that simple. And now you can help in that effort through the Vermont Habitat Stamp.
Funds generated by the stamp help purchase lands for permanent conservation and provide funding to work with landowners to improve habitat for a wide range of species from golden-winged warblers to black bears. The stamp has already contributed to the expansion of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area.

The actual ‘stamp’ is a bumper sticker that is sent in the mail to people who donate online at vtfishandwildlife.com. The suggested donation is $15, although some donors have chosen to contribute up to $1,000.

Critical Habitat – What is it and why is it critical?

New Law Protects Vermont's Most Vulnerable Species and critical habitat So what exactly is critical habitat? Critical habitat is the specific, limited area that a threatened or endangered species needs to survive.

For spiny softshell turtles, that could mean one of the few remaining small stretches of shale-covered beach that the turtles use for nesting. For a timber rattlesnake, it could mean the south-facing scree fields they use as den sites to hibernate in winter. Or for the northeastern bulrush, it could entail the few beaver wetland complexes in which they are still found in Vermont.

These small areas have a big impact on a threatened or endangered species’ capacity to thrive in Vermont. Recognizing their importance and placing protections on these areas is one step in ensuring these species will remain a fixture of the Vermont landscape.

Bald eagles return to their nests

New Law Protects Vermont's Most Vulnerable Species like bald eagles Did you know that bald eagles often return to the same nest every year? Building a new nest may take months to complete, so if proven successful one year, eagles will continue to use the same nest year after year.

In the past, department staff have worked with landowners to protect trees with active bald eagle nests. Vermonters love wildlife, so landowners have generally been extremely cooperative. But now, thanks to H.570 we have a new tool to ensure that nest trees remain safe as long as eagles continue to use them.

Other Lake Champlain Wildlife Articles:

NYS DEC Alerts Boaters to Low Water Levels at Many Boat Launches

NYS DEC Alerts Boaters to Low Water Levels at Many Boat Launches Due to the ongoing drought conditions in New York State, many waters are significantly below average water levels for this time of year. While many DEC boat launches are still useable by shallow draft boats, boaters desiring to launch larger, deeper draft waters may have difficulties on many waters. Of particular concern are DEC boat launches on Lake Champlain.

On Lake Champlain, which is a foot below normal water level elevations for this time of year, most launches currently provide 3.0 ft of water depth. Exceptions are the Ticonderoga Launch which is currently below this level at 2 ft.

Boaters, particularly those desiring to launch larger, deeper draft boats, are encouraged to contact the DEC regional office covering the water they desire to launch their boat onto for updated information.

Fall is Fishing Prime Time in Vermont

As water temperatures cool across Vermont, the fishing action is heating up. Here are some tips to help anglers get started toward a successful fishing trip.

“With the onset of fall and cooling water temperatures, various fish species begin to feed heavily in advance of winter, resulting in some of the best fishing of the year throughout Vermont,” said Eric Palmer, director of fisheries with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “We hope anglers of all interests and abilities will get out on the water this fall to enjoy a gorgeous time of year in the outdoors and experience Vermont fishing at its best.”

From cold water species like trout and salmon, to warm water species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye, Vermont’s array of fish species become more active during the fall as they feed to boost their energy reserves in order to sustain themselves during the winter.

In addition to the rise in fish feeding activity, the fall season also means a decrease in angling pressure, less boat traffic on Vermont’s lakes and ponds, and incredible views of Vermont’s renowned foliage.

“Fall is one of the absolute best times to be on the water in Vermont, regardless of what species you want to target, and you’ll likely have your favorite fishing holes all to yourself,” said Shawn Good, fisheries biologist with Vermont Fish & Wildlife. “Some of the best days I’ve ever had on the water have come in the fall when many other anglers have already put their rods away for the year.”

For hot fall fishing action on northern Lake Champlain, anglers might consider the following fishing opportunities, locations and tactics:

Smallmouth Bass: Target smallmouth bass on rocky points and shorelines with scattered vegetation in 2 to 15 feet of water around the areas of North Hero, Alburg, Isle La Motte, West Swanton and St. Albans. Moving baits such as spinnerbaits, stickbaits and top-water lures can be very productive for smallies, as can finesse presentations such as drop-shotting plastics or dragging jigs on the bottom.

Panfish: A mix of artificial lures and live bait presentations can trick panfish. Grubs, spinners, bottom jigs, drop-shot rigs and a standard worm and bobber setup can all be effective.

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Battle of Valcour Island: October 11, 1776

This date in Lake Champlain History