Thousand Acre Swamp is a preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy of Western New York. It has a bird checklist of 120 species. This level 2.5-mile walk goes through varied habitats, resulting in a variety of breeding bird species and migrants.
We will search for Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow-throated Vireos, Cerulean Warblers, and other nesting birds at this local natural treasure. We’ll drive to various spots in the refuge and take an easy walk along one of the very scenic trails.
This unassuming trip usually racks up one of the longest bird lists of the year. From nesting Cerulean Warbler to Purple Martin along the lake, this trip showcases roadside birding in spectacular fashion!
We will walk the mowed grassy trails of the 65-acre property of RBA member Linda Roca. Hedgerows, fields, Irondequoit Creek, brushy habitat, and woods should be productive for thrushes, late warblers, and woodpeckers among others.
We’ll go down the east side of the lake for a variety of nesting passerines, especially warblers and vireos. We will make multiple stops as we drive along the road.
This trip has generated large species lists due to the many habitat types we will travel through. We will start from the parking lot to the longhouse and the meadowlark field and then head down a wide trail through woods, shrubland, and wetland to an overlook in grassland.
This trip frequently boasts more birds than any other RBA field trip. Of course, it gets an early start! We’ll look for birds not frequently seen on other trips, such as Acadian Flycatcher and Barred Owl.
A trip to this unique place is by special permit from the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society and will feature nesting birds. The mix of vegetation zones provides secluded nesting habitat for the usual western N.Y. species as well as those more characteristic of the Canadian zone such as Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Canada and Nashville Warblers.
The 100 acre privately owned Odonata Sanctuary, 20 Parrish Road, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472, is the former home of Joseph W. Taylor, who was a founder of the American Birding Association and president of Hawk Mountain Association. The sanctuary participates in the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) that provides nesting acreage for grassland nesting birds such as Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, and Dickcissels.
We will be birding as we drive (and stop) throughout the diverse landscapes of Northern Allegany County, 20 minutes south of Letchworth State Park. Grassland, woodland, pond and swampland species such as Prairie and Mourning Warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, Pied-billed Grebes, and maybe a bittern or two should be seen.
Explore this expansive wetland for Virginia Rails and Wood Duck families. We’ve seen eagles on a reliable basis, Cliff Swallows and more.
Learn more about the fall migration of shorebirds in this nearby birding treasure. We’ll visit key spots you’ll want to revisit again and again! There will be a number of stops during this mostly driving trip. Bring binoculars. Restrooms may not be available at the Visitor Center.
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