On the west and northwest of the Oneida Carry, the soils are loamy clays, sands, and some shale that contributed to many swampy bogs to the south of the carry and sand plain or pine barren areas, like those that can be found sur rounding Wood Creek upon its exit from modern Rome, NY and along the eastern shore of Oneida Lake. This is a unique habitat that, today, is very hard to find in North America and would have been distinct in its appearance compared to the surrounding forests. This would have looked like an odd mash of sand dunes, beach shore, and deciduous/coniferous forests. Around Wood Creek, there would have been many aquaticplants (such as sedges and sea grasses) more similar to those found in northern seacoast mixed in with a variety of trees from different northern growth zones (such as white pine, hemlock, white, red, and black oaks, white and yellow birch, pine pitch, wild black cherry, and sassafras).
In swampier bog and flood areas toward the south and southeast, red and silver maples, elms, basswoods, red ash, tulip trees, cottonwoods, and tupelo trees could be found in the mix. Various shrubs and grass, including honey suckle, Canada violets, goldenrod, wild sarsaparilla, and partridge berry, would be found along with an exhaustive list of ferns, grasses, and other plants native to the “Austral” growing region of North America.
Just on the north and eastern end of the carry, underlying bedrock and soils are mostly shale and clay. Trees such as white pine, various oaks, beeches, birches, tamaracks, and others form to make the foothill forest of the Adirondacks and hardwood forests of the western Mohawk Valley.
Looking at the area surrounding the fort during the time of the American Revolution one would have seen: To the north, an area cleared by the British military during the French and Indian War period and those hardwood forests sloping upwards towards the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. To the east, a clearing that extended to a freshwater stream about 100 yards, beyond that a mixture of hardwood and swamp forests leading to the banks of the Mohawk River.
To the south, the portage road, passing through a cleared field that lead from east to west. In the southeast view would have been a fenced military garden on the banks of the stream. In the southwest view would have been grouping of military out buildings, including: a hospital, blacksmith shop, and stable area. An “Indian House” was also in this area. A small arrangement of buildings belonging to the Roof family (homestead, barn, outbuilding, etc.) would have also been visible. Beyond those would have been mixed swamp forest and sand plains. To the west would have been a view of the portage road leading to Wood Creek through a cleared field. Beyond that was a sand plain environment. Wandering as freely as their owners would allow would have been livestock belonging to the colonial settlers, the American military, and to the private soldiers.
Colonel Gansevoort wrote not long after arriving at the fort “I have exceedingly good living here” with “plenty of veal pigeons and fish of different sorts.” The birds were so numerous they could be caught by throwing a net or a stick from the walls of the fort."
National Park Service
Historic Fauna
Birds in the Oneida County area had been studied extensively throughout the late 1700s to early 1900s. In 1977, after compiling historic data and records, there were 289 native species known to Oneida County. One of the more notable species is the wild (passenger) pigeon, which has gone extinct and were recorded as an easy meal for the soldiers of Fort Schuyler in the time of the Revolution (they netted them on walls). There are several pigeon bones in the park collection. Others include the wild turkey, which was almost eliminated through hunting and development by the mid-1800s, the peregrine falcon, and bluebird. Mockingbird, titmouse, and Carolina wren (although native) spread further into the area as trees were cut from the forests as they survive on forest perimeters and lowlands.
There are many mammals that have been recorded throughout the area surrounding the carry. Some of the species that helped to contribute to the historic growth of the area, through the fur trade, include: beaver, rabbits, fox, squirrel (red), white-tailed deer, and mink. Wolves, elk, wolverines, fisher, and marten numbers declined rapidly or became extinct throughout the 1800s as trappers flooded the area. Beaver are the best example of a species on the brink because of trapping and hunting as their numbers were nearly wiped out in the mid to late 1600s and again in the 1700s (dependent on New York region).
Mountain lion and bobcat were recorded throughout New York, however rarely because their range can be large. Most sightings in the in the early 1800s took place in northern most reaches of Oneida County’s borders. There is debate about whether or not moose may have occurred in northern Oneida County during the 1700s and years prior. It should be noted that the forested lands that both the cats and moose require would have extended down into the area of the carry prior to its development.
The 1600s era Dutch man, Harmen Mydenstern Van Den Bogaert, who became the first European to record his journey through the area in 1634, stated that he was fed white hare, beaver, dried and fresh salmon, bear bacon, and venison. He also saw (living or pelts) elk, beaver, bear, otter, mountain lion, and deer.
Amphibians and reptiles could be found as well including the bullfrog, wood turtle, box turtle, copperhead snake, timber rattlesnake, and eastern massasauga rattlesnake (or swamp rattler). Because of the many fish brought to stock ponds in the 1800s, it is difficult, if not impossible to determine what species of fish are specifically native to the Mohawk River, Wood Creek, and Oneida Lake. However, the recorded Atlantic salmon migrations to Oneida Lake stopped in 1856 as further development along the lake began. It has also had a consistent record of walleye pike, which were restocked as their numbers dropped. There are about a dozen walleye bones in the park collection. Brook trout were recorded in many of the streams flowing into the lake. Northern Pike, perch, large and small mouth bass, and sunfish would have been found throughout the lakes, streams and rivers of the modern New York area, including the Mohawk.
The Rome Sand Plains Unique area sits about 4 miles from the park today and looks much like it would have during the colonial era. The Wood Creek Trail follows the edge of an ancient sand dune to the banks of the west-most end of the Oneida Carry.
When you visit the park today, you can see a unique blend of the modern and historic surrounding you while you explore.
National Park Service
Modern Landscapes
Since 1976, Fort Stanwix National Monument has occupied 16 acres in downtown Rome, NY. Between the 1790s and mid-1800s, several canals, including the Erie were dug through the historic grounds of the fort and the City of Rome filled in the areas inbetween. Eventually, this all became cityscape. In 1835, it was noted that the last remains of the fort were finally removed and buried over by Rome.
Today, the park serves as the local "front lawn" with many city events being held on site, and what can be seen is a unique mix of the historic and modern. Roads have replaced canals, walking trails, and rivers. It also serves as a refuge for many insects, small mammals, and birds. Humans play and excercise on the lawn and rest under its trees. The view of the Mohawk River is no longer direct and the historic spring stream Teochnorhat, which flowed along the east of the fort and into the Mohawk, has all but disappeared. But within the remains of the spring bed, the damp enviroment provides a nursery for small anphibians like toads and frogs.
Urban Nature
Urban parks have wildlife too! When you visit this little park in the middle of the city, make sure to bring your binoculars! Although most would think of the forest or less populated area as “wild,” there are many unique species that call this urban park home.
Birds
Lots of birds that visit raise their young at the fort. Many just use the surrounding thermals (warm air currents that circulate above the park) to get where they need to go. Birds like European starlings have taken over the ecological niche left from when native birds, like the passenger pigeon, went extinct. From ospreys to falcons to bluebirds to chimney swifts, there is no shortage of birds to watch!
If you like birding, there are dozens of birds, like this male cedar waxwing, that can be found on park grounds.
National Park Service/Ranger Dan U.
Bugs
Hundreds (if not thousands) of species of insects live at the park. You can find “masked hunters” (a type of assassin beetle whose young cloak themselves in sawdust for camouflage) and many friendly native bee species that call this place home. From orchard bees (who look like small flying emeralds) to squash bees who nap and snuggle in our garden squash blossoms, the fort is always buzzing with activity! There are even two threatened bumblebee species that call this park home: the golden bumblebee (Bombus fervidus) and the yellow banded bumblebee (Bombus terricola).
Mammals
There are many mammals that have been recorded throughout the area surrounding the park. Some of the species that helped to contribute to the historic growth of the area, through the fur trade, include: beaver, rabbits, fox, squirrel (red), white-tailed deer, and mink. Wolves, elk, wolverines, fisher, and marten numbers declined rapidly or became extinct throughout the 1800s as trappers flooded the area. Beaver are the best example of a species on the brink because of trapping and hunting as their numbers were nearly wiped out in the mid to late 1600s and again in the 1700s (dependent on New York region).
Today, many smaller species, like voles, grey squirrels, and field mice thrive on park grounds. But every so often, a larger species, like white tailed deer or black bear, make their way into the heart of the city to visit the park! Every season provides a new opportunity to observe and study wildlife in this unique environment! What can you find?
You might know the rules for viewing an animal in a natural setting, but do you know what to do in an urban environment if a furry creature comes near?
