Taylor Marsh is a preserve owned by the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society and located in Ontario County north of Honeoye Lake. It is best known for marsh birds, including both American and Least Bittern and Virginia Rail. However, the star attraction is the Sandhill Cranes that have been present in this area all year around for many years. Breeding has been confirmed. They are occasionally heard at Taylor, although seldom seen. Taylor also has brush-shrub and wooded upland habitat with a good variety of spring migrants and breeding birds. An adjacent hay field is home to Bobolinks and Eastern Meadowlarks. It has a checklist of nearly 145 species that can be downloaded at https://bergenswamp.org/TaylorMarshBirdList_19_03_03.pdf. This is mostly a flat trail, which can be muddy, and has one very small shallow stream to cross.
Waterproof boots are advisable. No restrooms available.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Taylor Marsh parking area on the west side of Allen’s Hill Road just south of Nighan Hill Road. From Rochester, take I-390 south to the Avon exit. Turn left onto Routes 5&20 and go east. In the town of Lima, turn right onto Route 15 A and follow it south. Turn left onto Richmond Mills Road (Livingston County Road 41). It becomes Ontario County Road 15. Follow County Road 15 past County Road 37 and turn right at the next stop sign onto Allen’s Hill Road. (There is no road sign at the intersection.)
Leaders: Lynn Braband 585-436-9388 and Jay Greenberg 585-256-0485
RBA Field Trip Guidelines
All field trips go rain/snow or shine unless there is a travel advisory issued. Trips run approximately 2 to 4 hours. Bring binoculars. Wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Please arrive at the designated meeting location 10 minutes before the start time of the trip. Colds, flu, and COVID are still around–if you’re not feeling well, please stay home. Please carpool when possible!
Waive and Release from Liability: By participating in this field trip you acknowledge that you assume all risks and hazards incidental to the activities of the event. You further release, absolve, hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Rochester Birding Association, Inc. and all individually named organizers, leaders, and participants of the event. In case of injury, you hereby waive all claims against all organizers, leaders, and participants.
Photo/Video Waiver: If you do not consent to have your image used by the RBA in the manner next described, upon arrival at the trip, please write “no photo” after your name on the sign-in Field Trip Roster. Otherwise, by attending this field trip you hereby grant permission to the Rochester Birding Association to take and publish photos or videos of you in connection with the event listed above, with or without your name, and for any lawful purpose including, for example, such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.
