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1
- Andrew Haight Road (Haight Marsh) - CE, MOF  Key
to Codes
Town of Washington. Year-round. Varied habitat. Sparrows,
pipits, Horned Lark, Snipe, Killdeer, warblers,
ducks, shorebirds.
Directions: From US 44 in Mabbettsville, turn north on North
Mabbettsville Road and drive approximately one mile and take Andrew Haight
Road to
the right. Drive past the barns and the marsh to the top of the
hill and park. Walking distance: 1.5 miles (easy to
moderate).
 County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
2
- Bowdoin Park - ED, HMOF Key
to Codes
A 300-acre county park
on the Hudson River in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Varied habitat. Year-round but
best in spring. Nature trails (easy to moderate).
Warblers and woodland species, hawks, herons, sparrows,
Eastern Screech-Owl. Ducks on the river late fall
through early spring; eagles in late winter.
Directions:
From Poughkeepsie, go south on US 9 to Old
Post Road. Take Old Post Road west to Sheafe Road
and go south about 2 miles to the park entrance. From
NY 9D in Wappingers Falls, take DeLavergne Road to Sheafe
Road; go left on Sheafe Road to the park entrance. Allow
1-3 hours.
More
information: Dutchess
County Online
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
3
- Brace Mountain (Taconic State Park) - D, OFKey
to Codes
Part
of 1547 acre Taconic State Park in the Town of
North East. Highest
point in Dutchess County, 2311 feet, located where
New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut come together.
Deciduous and coniferous woodland and open areas at
the summit. Spring,
summer and fall. Good
vantage point for fall hawk migration. Breeding
Hermit Thrush and Dark-eyed Juncos, as well as other
woodland species. Requires a 2-mile hike each way,
moderate from the west or partially strenuous from
the east.
Directions: For access from
the west,
drive 5.5 miles north on NY 22 from the traffic light
in Millerton. Turn right on White House Crossing
and follow it to the end. Go left onto Rudd
Pond Road (CR 62) for 1/4 mile, turn right (east)
onto Deer Run Road.
Then turn left onto Quarry Hill Road and follow it
around to the east side where fields meet woods. Here
is the southern end of the South Taconic Trail. Park
your car and hike the trail, following the white blazes
for 2 miles to the summit. To reach the area from
the east, drive to Salisbury, CT on
US 44. At
the town hall turn left and follow the signs to Mt. Riga
Road. At Southe (Forge) Road, turn right onto
unpaved Mount Washington Road. Go north several
miles and look for a grassy parking area on the left. Park
here.
There is a steel gate at the back of the parking
area.
Follow the woods road trail on the other side of
the gate for about 2 miles. Here it intersects
South Taconic Trail. Take the trail to the left
(south) a short distance to the summit. Maps of
the area can be obtained for a fee from the New York-New
Jersey Trail Conference, G.P.O. Box 2250, New
York, NY 10116. Walking
4 miles (moderate to strenuous).
More
information: BerkshireHiking.com
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
4
- Buttercup Farm Wildlife Sanctuary (National
Audubon Society) - E, SMOF
Town
of Stanford. 553 acres of woodlands, fields,
pastures, wooded swamp. Best in spring
and fall. Raptors, waterfowl, Great Horned
Owl, Eastern Bluebird, and many resident nesting
species.
Directions: Midway between Stanfordville and Pine Plains on NY 82. Entrance to the east side is indicated by a small sign leading to a parking
area. To get to the western entrance, take Route 82 and take Stissing
Road, which goes off to the west about 1.5 miles north of Cold Spring
Road (CR 53). Then continue onto Mountain Road;
entrance will be on your right. Allow 2-3 hours
to cover either the western or eastern part. Easy
to moderate. More
information: Audubon
New York
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of PageKey
to Codes
5
- Cascade Mountain Road - CE, MOFKey
to Codes
Town
of Amenia. Stream, woodlands, overgrown
fields. Spring, early summer,
fall. Flycatchers, sparrows, warblers (including
nesting Louisiana Waterthrush), vireos, hawks.
Directions: Drive north from the traffic
light in the Village of Amenia on NY. 22 for 7/8 of a mile. Turn left
onto Cascade Mountain Road. The first half mile
is paved; the small parking area is a half mile further
on the unpaved road; walk the gentle incline on the
road. Walking
distance: 2 miles (moderate). Allow
2-3 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
6
- Clove Road, Verbank to Sylvan Lake - C, LOF Key
to Codes
Towns
of Union Vale and Beekman. A driving trip
with many stops. Open
country, swamps, spruce plantings, wooded areas. Best
in spring and fall, with waterfowl on the lakes most
plentiful in late fall and early spring.
Directions: Start in Verbank on NY 82. Turn southeast on Clove Road
(CR 9), stop at Abel's Pond on the left, and continue until you come
to a T-intersection. Go right and makes stops whenever you see birds. Look for Clove Cemetery on your left and proceed in to Christie Pond,
a duck breeding pond. Continue down Clove Road to NY 55 (traffic light). Cross NY 55; you are now on Beekman Road. Drive several miles and take
Sylvan Lake Road (CR 10) to the right. Drive to the lake and stop. Continue
on Sylvan Lake Road to NY 82. Driving distance: 20
miles. Allow
2-3 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
7
- Cruger Island (Hudson River National Estuarine
Research Reserve) - E, HMF
60
acres on the Hudson River in the Town of Red
Hook. Bay, estuary, tidal
marsh, mudflats, tidal swamp, woodlands. An excellent
area for all kinds of birds, with waterfowl and shorebirds
most plentiful. Osprey,
Northern Harrier, Marsh Wren, Least Bittern, Virginia
Rail. Best
in early spring and late summer; also excellent for observing
ducks on the river in late fall.
Directions: Take
NY. 9G north toward Annandale
and Tivoli. Turn left onto CR 103 (Annandale Road)
about 5 miles north of the Rhinebeck intersection of
US 9 and NY 9G. Where CR 103 takes a sharp turn
to the left, go down Cruger Island Road. Park your
car at one of the state MUA lots (you will pass some
Bard College dorm lots; do not park in these). Walk
the road. Cross
the railroad tracks carefully to get over to the island
and be aware of the tides so that you don't get stranded.
Walking distance: 2 miles (moderate).
Allow 4-6 hours.
More Information: See
Tivoli Bays WMA below.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of PageKey
to Codes
8
- Deep Hollow Road - CE, SF Key
to Codes
A
3-mile stretch along a public road in the Towns
of Washington and Amenia. The road follows
a section of the Wassaic Creek through wooded
areas. Good in all seasons except winter. Acadian
Flycatcher, Winter Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, Louisiana
Waterthrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated
Green Warbler, and many others.
Directions: (a) From Millbrook, drive east on US
44 for about 4.5 miles to Lithgow and turn right onto Deep
Hollow Road. (b)
Alternatively, take NY 22 to Wassaic and turn west onto
Deep Hollow Road. Park
your car just off Rte. 22 and walk the roadsides. Walking
or driving distance: 3 miles (easy). Allow
2-4 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
9
- Denning's Point Park - E, HF Key
to Codes
100
acres on the Hudson River in the City of Beacon,
Dennings Point was added to Hudson Highlands
State Park in 1988. Trail (an old woods
road) through heavily wooded grounds. Woodpeckers,
warblers, vireos. Waterfowl
can be seen from several vantage points.
Directions: Dennings
Point is at the southernmost end of the city, at the
mouth of the Fishkill Creek. Take
Route 9D into Beacon. Turn south
on South Ave. and then immediately make a right
onto Dennings Ave. Park
across from the Beacon Water Treatment Plant and take
the bridge across the Metro North tracks to Dennings
Point. Walking distance: 1.2
mile (easy). Allow
3 hours.
Photo
Tour: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Hudson Valley Photos More
information: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Trail Info
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
10
- Depot Hill Multiple Use Area - ED, SBF Key
to Codes
260
acres in the Town of Beekman. Heavily wooded with
some brushy areas and streams. Hawks, Ruffed Grouse,
Hermit Thrush, warblers (including Louisiana Waterthrush,
Hooded and Canada), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Also
bird along Depot Hill Road in the nearby vicinity. Appalachian
Trail crosses Depot Hill Road just to the north of
the MUA.
Directions: Take NY 55 to traffic
light at NY 216 and then take NY 216 one mile to
Depot Hill Road. Turn left onto Depot Hill
Road and drive about 2.5 miles, passing the Appalachian
Trail parking area and the communication towers. Look
for the MUA parking lot on your left. It
is suggested that you return by the same route as Depot
Hill Road is extremely rugged beyond the MUA. Walking
distance: 1-2 miles (easy to moderate). Allow
3-4 hours. Trail
Map : NYSDEC
Depot Hill Trail Map More
information: NYSDEC
Depot Hill MUA page
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
11
- Edward R. Murrow Park - E, OBF Key
to Codes
82
acres in the Town of Pawling. Pond and varied
habitat with nature trails. Best September-May. Bluebirds,
kinglets, thrushes, warblers, flycatchers,
pheasants, grouse, hawks, and possibly
shorebirds at pond edges.
Directions: From
the center of Pawling, take West Main Street. The
park is at the intersection with Lakeside
Drive. Walking
distance: 1-2
miles (easy). Allow 1-2 hours. There
may be a fee for individual use.
More
information: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Trail Info
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
12
- Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (Valkill) -
E, LOBF Key
to Codes
190
acres in the Town of Hyde Park. Lake, marsh,
forest; varied habitat. Best in spring and
summer. Herons, Wood Duck, Belted Kingfisher,
swallows, warblers, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Common Snipe.
Directions: Take
NY 9G north from Poughkeepsie.
Look for the entrance to Valkill about 1/2 mile north
of the traffic light for the St. Andrews Rd. cutover to
US9. Alternatively, continue beyond this entrance
and take the next right, Franklin Road. Then take
a left onto Roosevelt Road and drive about 1/2 mile to
the back entrance. Walking distance: 1 mile.
Allow 2-3 hours. More
information: National
Park Service
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
13
- Ferncliff Forest (Mount Rutsen) - ED, MF Key
to Codes
192-acre
game and forest preserve in the Town of Rhinebeck. Pond
and mixed forest with trail to top of Mt. Rutsen. Best
in spring. Flycatchers
and warblers, including Cerulean, Parula, and American
Redstart. Tower
at the summit a good place to watch for migrating hawks
over the Hudson River.
Directions: Take
US 9 north from the traffic light in the center of Rhinebeck. Turn
left on Montgomery Street (just before Northern Dutchess
Hospital) and cross a stone bridge (you will now be on
Old Post Road). Take
a left onto Mt. Rutsen
Road and look for a sign for the Preserve on the left. Walking
distance: 2 miles
(easy except for the moderate climb to the tower). Allow
4 hours. More
information: Ferncliff
Forest
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
14
- Flint Hill / Cascade Mountain Roads - CE, OBF Key
to Codes
A
drive in the Town of Amenia with stops for birding. Fields,
marshy areas, hedgerows. Late spring, early
summer, fall. Hawks, geese, ducks,
sparrows, Whip-poor-will.
Directions: From
Millbrook, take US 44 east 6 miles to CR 83. Take
CR 83 north 2 miles and then take a right onto Flint
Hill Road. Make
stops on Flint Hill Road and then take a left onto
Cascade Mtn. Road. At the end of
Cascade
Mtn. Road,
make a right onto Morse Hill Road and continue to Perry's
Corners and on to NY 22.
Driving
distance: 2
miles. Allow 2
hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
15
- Freedom Park - E, SOF Key
to Codes
91-acre
park in the Town of LaGrange. Creek, field,
wooded hillside; varied habitat. Year-round. Ducks,
kinglets, woodpeckers, warblers, sparrows, bluebirds.
Directions: Take
the Taconic Parkway north past NY 55 and exit onto
Skidmore Road to the east. Drive 1½ miles
to the park entrance on the right. Walking
distance: 1 mile (easy). Allow
2 hours.
More information: Freedom
Park
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
16
- Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
- E, HOF Key
to Codes
290
acres in the Town of Hyde Park along the Hudson River. Lawns,
woodland, orchard, meadowland, hemlock grove, pond,
stream, tidal area. Nature
trail; trail map. Best in spring and fall. Winter
specialties include Red-breasted Nuthatch, redpolls,
and Winter Wren. Many
species during migration seasons.
Directions: Take
US 9 south from Hyde Park or north from Poughkeepsie. The
site is well marked on the west side of US 9. Ample
parking. Walking
distance: 2 miles
(easy to moderate). Allow
3 hours.
Photo Tour: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Hudson Valley Photos More
information: National
Park Service
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
17
- Harlem Valley Rail Trail Sections 1, 2 and 3 -
E, MOBF Key
to Codes
Towns
of Amenia and North East. The Harlem
Valley Rail Tail is a 10-foot wide paved trail that
will eventually offer 43 miles of uninterrupted travel
connecting Wassaic and Chatham, NY. Birds seen
have included Red-headed Woodpecker, Virginia Rail
(was the trail named after this bird?), Marsh Wren,
sparrows (including Swamp and Vesper), warblers,
flycatchers, Northern Harrier, Raven. Section
1,
opened in 2005, goes north from the Metro North station
in Wassaic to Mechanic Street in Amenia. This
is the southern terminus of the entire HVRT. Section
2,
opened in 1996, goes north from Mechanic Street in
Amenia north to Coleman Station in the Town of North
East. Woodland
and open areas, wetland halfway between Amenia and
Coleman Station. Section
3,
opened in 2000, extends from Coleman Station northward
to Millerton. Picturesque
rock cuts, Webutuck Creek, Ten Mile River.
Directions: In
Amenia, take NY 343 east from the intersection of
NY 22, US 44, and NY 343. Go 1/4
mile and make a right onto Mechanic Street (across
from Cumberland Farms). The parking lot is 1/4
mile down the street on the left; if this lot is full,
turn back and park at the town
hall closer to NY 343. There is also a parking
lot at Coleman Station (take Coleman Station Road,
CR 58, east from NY 22). In
Millerton, park at
the Eugene L. Brooks Rail Trail Station behind
the North East Community Center on South Center Street.
At the Wassaic train station, park your car and
cross the tracks where you drove in; the trailhead
is on your right. See
a complete MAP showing
all sections of the HVRT (click on the link above
the map for descriptions of individual sections).
Walking
distance: The
total distance from Millerton to Amenia is 8.2 miles
(one way); Section 1 is 2.6 miles, Section 2 is 4.5
miles and Section 3 is 3.6 miles. Parking at
the Wassaic train station is free on weekends and holidays;
parking at the other trailheads is free every day. The
trail is open from dawn to dusk. Allow
at least 3 hours for
each Section. More
information: Harlem
Valley Rail Trail
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
18
- Hudson Highlands State Park (Breakneck Ridge) -
ED, HF Key
to Codes
500
acres, partly in the Town of Fishkill. One
of National Audubon's Important Bird Areas. Oak/birch/aspen
forest with some grassy and swampy areas. Best
in spring and fall. Raptors including eagles
and Peregrine Falcon, warblers, Field Sparrow, Indigo
Bunting, Carolina Wren.
Directions: From Beacon,
take NY 9D south and park about 500 feet north of the tunnel. Walk the
abandoned road (yellow trail markers) from the east side of NY
9D. Alternatively,
use the steep trail (white markers) at the northern end
of the tunnel, but be prepared for a strenuous and sometimes
hazardous climb.
Walking
distance: 2 miles on the abandoned
road (easy to moderate). Allow 3-4 hours.
More
information: 1
- National Audubon Important Bird Areas 2
- New York State Parks
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
19
- Innisfree Garden - ED, LMOF Key
to Codes
188
acres in the Towns of Washington and Pleasant Valley. Lake
and well-maintained grounds and gardens, deciduous
and coniferous woodland with trail. Best
in spring. Geese, Mallards, warblers, woodland
species, Ruffed Grouse. Open 10am - 5pm Wednesday
- Sunday from May through October.
Directions: From
US 44 just east of the trooper barracks at the NY 82
traffic light, take Tyrell Road south 1 mile to the stone
gate and follow the narrow road to the parking lot. Walking
distance: 1
mile (easy to moderate). Allow
3-4 hours.
More
information & beautiful photos: Innisfree
Garden
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
20
- Cary Institute
of Ecosystem Studies (Cary
Arboretum) - CE, SOF Key
to Codes
2000 acres
in the Towns of Washington and Pleasant Valley. Open
to the public between April 1 and October 31. Monday – Saturday: 9
a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Varied
habitat. Owls, thrushes, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Eastern Bluebird, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk,
Wild Turkey, warblers, and the usual resident birds. Other
attractions include Gardens and Greenhouse. Good
handicapped access.
Directions: Drive
west from the traffic light just south of Millbrook on Rt. 82 to Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) and turn right. Proceed
to Gifford House on the left and park and register there.
Walking
distance: 2.5
miles on the trails (easy to moderate). Allow 2-4
hours. More
information: Institute
of Ecosystem Studies
Trail
Reports by RTWBC member Barry Haydasz: On
the Trails of IES
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
21
- James Baird State Park - CED, LOF Key
to Codes
590
acres in the Town of LaGrange. Golf course,
woodland. Roads and trails. Best in winter
and spring. Green Heron, shorebirds, Horned
Larks, Snow Buntings, hawks, Great Horned Owl, Ruffed
Grouse, vireos, warblers, kinglets, sparrows, finches. Directions: Main
entrance is from the Taconic Parkway one mile north
of NY 55 and is well marked. Walking
distance: 2
miles (easy). Allow
3-4 hours.
More information: 1
- NY/NJ/CT Botany 2
- New York State Parks
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
22
- Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area (Wilbur Flats
Road) - CE, LMOF Key
to Codes
715 acres
in the Town of Milan. Varied habitat including
open fields, swamp, a pine plantation, woodlands,
and rocky ledges. Best in spring,
also good in summer and fall. Pheasants, grouse, owls, thrushes,
wrens, warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, ducks. The area is used
by hunters in season.
Directions: Drive to the MUA either via the Taconic Parkway northbound
or via NY 199 from Lafayetteville. It is well marked with a wooden MUA
sign. Park at the intersection of NY 199 and Wilbur Flats Road. Walking
distance: 2 miles (easy).
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
23
- Lake Oniad - C, L Key
to Codes
A
privately owned 10-acre lake in a residential area
of Wappingers Falls. Best in spring and fall. Scaup,
Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, grebes, Spotted Sandpiper,
Belted Kingfisher.
Directions: From US 9, take Myers Corners Road east for one mile
and take a right onto Kent Road. Follow Kent Road to the sign for Lake
Oniad and follow Lake Oniad Road around the lake. Drive along the shoreline
and make quick stops to view the lake from your car.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
24
- Lakeside Park (Holiday Hills) - E, LOBF Key
to Codes
Hiking
trails and lake in Pawling. Directions: From
the center of Pawling, take Charles Colman Boulevard north
about one mile to 4-way stop sign. The park is on your
left. There may be a fee for individual
use.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
25
- Locust Grove / Samuel Morse Historic Site -
E, HSOF Key
to Codes
150
acres in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Former home
of Samuel F. B. Morse. Mostly woodland
between the museum and the Hudson River. Carriage
roads serve as trails. Woodland and urban
birds, gulls, warblers.
Directions: Take
US 9 south from Poughkeepsie to the traffic light
at Beechwood Avenue. Locust
Grove is on the right and has ample parking. Walking
distance: 2 miles (easy to moderate). Allow
3 hours.
More
information: Locust
Grove website
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
26
- Mack Road - ED, F Key
to Codes
Mack
Road is a dead end narrow road in the Clove
Valley in the Town of Union Vale. It
passes through a deep hemlock ravine, a mixed
hardwood forest, open and brushy areas, and
pine plantations. This is a roadside
birding area with several places to pull one or two cars
off the road. The best parking area is at the right-angle
turn about 1 mile in. Permission is not required to
bird along the road. The area should be avoided during
deer season. Best in spring and summer. Species
observed include Great Horned Owl, Goshawk, and warblers
(Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Louisiana Waterthrush,
Hooded, Prairie, and others).
Directions: From
NY 82, take NY 55
east to the first traffic light. Turn left (north)
onto Bruzgul Road and proceed to the traffic circle. At
the traffic circle, turn left onto Clove Valley Road
(CR 9). Mack Road is approximately
3 miles up Clove Valley Road on the right. Walking
distance: 1.5
miles (easy except for the first 1/2 mile, which is
rather steep). Allow
1-2 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site ListTop
of Page
27
- Madam Brett Park - ED, SMBF Key
to Codes
12
acres in the City of Beacon, at the confluence of Fishkill
Creek with the Hudson River. Waterfowl, Fish Crow,
warblers, sparrows. Trail along
Fishkill Creek and waterfront marshland. Raised
boardwalk.
Directions: Take NY 9D into Beacon, to South
Ave. (toward
the river). Turn right (south) onto Tioronda
Ave. past old warehouses and then turn left and go
under the railroad trestle bridge. Parking
lot is on left. Walking
distance: 2 miles
(easy). Allow
2 hours. More
information: Scenic
Hudson
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
28
- Millbrook School - E, SMOF Key
to Codes
A
private school in the Town of Washington. The
campus includes a large marsh with boardwalk, deciduous
woodland, and open fields. A cross-country
ski trail can be hiked through the woods and open fields,
starting near the ski tow just north of the marsh. Good
any time of year but best in spring. Eastern
Screech-Owl, Woodcock, Common Snipe, Virginia and King
Rails, White-eyed Vireo, Willow Flycatcher, many warbler
species. Over
160 species have been recorded.
Directions: Drive
west from Amenia for 4 miles (or east from Millbrook
for 5 miles) on US 44 and take Millbrook School Road
to the north. Park near the
marsh or in the zoo parking lot. Walking
distance: 3 miles
(easy to moderate). Allow
3 hours. More
information on the zoo: Trevor
Zoo
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
29
- Montgomery Place - E, HSOF Key
to Codes
A
Hudson River estate of 434 acres just south of Bard
College in the Town of Red Hook. Orchard, gardens,
lawns, deciduous and hemlock woods, and a view of
the Hudson. Trails. Wheelchairs can use
the roads. Winter
Wren, warblers, flycatchers, orioles, Pileated Woodpecker,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Directions: Take NY 9G north to the intersection
with NY 199. Turn left (west) onto NY 199. CR
103 crosses NY 199 before the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.
Turn right onto CR 103 north. Montgomery
Place is 2-3 miles up the road on the left. Park
at the Visitors' Center. Walking distance:
2 miles (easy). Allow 2-3 hours.
More
information: Poughkeepsie
Journal
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
30
- Nellie Hill Preserve (The Nature Conservancy) -
D, OBF Key
to Codes
144
acres in the town of Dover. Habitat includes
pocket grasslands, rich oak forest, and a previously-grazed,
sloping meadow, with several springs and two ponds. Great
Horned Owl, Ruffed Grouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
warblers (including Prairie and Hooded),
vireos (including nesting White-eyed), Brown
Thrasher, orioles, sparrows, thrushes.
Directions: NY
22 north toward Dover Plains. Pass CR 6
and proceed another 1/4 mile. Parking area is
on right; preserve sign is set back from road. Follow
path up the hill to a wide steel gate
at the preserve entrance. Walking
distance: 2
miles (easy to moderate). Allow
3 hours.
More
information: 1
- The Nature Conservancy
2
- FWS Harlem Valley Habitat Description
County
Map & Birding Site ListTop
of Page
31
- Norrie State Park (Norrie Point, Mills-Norrie State
Park) - CEK, HSOF
About
400 acres on the Hudson River south of and adjacent
to Mills State Park in the Town of Hyde Park. Roads,
boat basin, river access, Dutchess Community College
Environmental Museum. Waterfowl and gulls
on the river, woodland birds, wrens, thrushes,
sparrows.
Directions: Take
US 9 north from Hyde Park 3 miles to the entrance
of Norrie State Park on the left.
Walking
distance: 2
miles (easy). Allow
2 hours. Photo
Tour: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Hudson Valley Photos
More
information: 1
- New York State Parks2
- NY/NJ/CT Botany
County
Map & Birding Site ListTop
of Page Key
to Codes
32
- Nuclear Lake - ED, LMF Key
to Codes
This
property in the Town of Pawling is
now owned by the National Forest Service and flanks
the Appalachian Trail corridor. Mostly mixed
woodland with a swampy area and a lake. Many
years ago a nuclear accident in a small lab here
resulted in closure of the area (and the lab) as
well as re-routing of the Appalachian Trail. The
area has long been declared safe and the lake is
again rich with wildlife; the Appalachian Trail has
once again resumed its old route close to the lake. The
area is especially productive during
spring migration, when many warblers and other songbirds
are seen.
Directions: Take NY
55 east to Poughquag. Drive 1.7
miles beyond the NY 216 traffic light
and then take
Old Rte. 55 left. The small
parking lot for Nuclear Lake is unsigned
and is only about 300 feet north of
the intersection.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
33
- Ogden Mills State Park (Staatsburgh/Mills
Mansion) - ED, HMOF Key
to Codes
About
500 acres on the Hudson River north of and adjacent to
Norrie State Park in the Town of Hyde Park. Trail
through mixed woodland along the river and carriage roads
through the old estate. Waterfowl
and gulls on the river, woodland birds, wrens, thrushes,
sparrows.
Directions: Take
US 9 north from Hyde Park 3 miles to the entrance of
Norrie State Park on the left.
Go left onto Old Post Road and continue past Norrie
Park through Staatsburg. The entrance to Staatsburgh/Mills
Mansion is just north of the village and across from
the golf course. Walking
distance: 2
miles (easy to moderate). Allow
2 hours. Photo
Tour: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Hudson Valley Photos
More
information: Staatsburgh.org
website
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
34
- Oriole Mills Road / Norton Road / Yantz Road - CE,
SMOBF Key
to Codes
Roadside birding in the
Town of Red Hook. Varied habitat including woods,
farmland, brushy areas, and marshes. Best in spring and
summer (but avoid Sunday afternoons in summer). Swamp
Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, orioles, warblers.
Directions: Take NY 199 west from the
Taconic Parkway. At
Rock City, take NY 308 and then take the third right
off NY 308 onto Old Rock City Road. Take the
first right onto Oriole Mills Road. Bird
this road and then turn right onto Yantz Road. At
the end of Yantz Road, turn left onto Ohrlich Road and
then left onto Norton Road, which will take you back
to Oriole Mills Road. Make stops and walk along
the way wherever it looks interesting. Driving/walking
distance: 5
miles.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
35
- Pawling Nature Reserve (The Nature Conservancy) - CED,
LMF Key
to Codes
1060
acres in the Town of Pawling. Mostly upland forest;
also includes a hemlock gorge and swampy areas. Good
in all seasons, especially during migration. Deer
hunting is allowed in season. Nesting birds include
Hermit Thrush, Black-throated Blue, Hooded, and Canada
Warblers, Winter Wren, Acadian Flycatcher, Brown Creeper,
and Barred Owl. Wild Turkey, Ruffed
Grouse, and Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks are
also seen here.
Directions: From
Pawling, take NY 22 north for 2 miles to North Quaker
HillRoad (CR 68). Go right on CR 68 and follow
this road about 1.5 miles to Quaker Lake Road. Take
Quaker Lake Road to the left (north) and drive past
Quaker Lake on the left. Continue until you
come to the Nature Conservancy parking lot on the left.
Walking
distance: 3 miles
(easy on the road; easy to strenuous on the trails). Allow
3-4 hours.
More
information: 1
- The Nature Conservancy 2
- NY/NJ/CT Botany 3
- Berkshire Hiking
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
36
- Peach Hill Park - ED, OBF Key
to Codes
158
acres at the highest elevation in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Apple
orchards and beautiful views.
Directions: From
the south or southeast, drive to Arlington, and take
Rte. 44/55 west toward the river. Take Innis Avenue
north (right turn) to Salt Point Turnpike (CR 115). Turn
right, go past the Bedell Rd. intersection, and take the
next right onto Edgewood Drive. The
park is at the intersection of Edgewood Drive and Patricia
Road. From Pleasant Valley or the northeast, take
Salt Point Turnpike (CR 115) west (toward Poughkeepsie).
Take the third left after Cream Street onto Edgewood Drive
and proceed as above. From the north, take
SR 9G to East Dorsey Lane. Turn left (east) onto East
Dorsey Lane and go straight at the intersection with Creek
Road. Take the next right, which is the continuation
of East Dorsey Lane, and continue to the "T" intersection
with Cream Street. Turn right on Cream Street, and
then right onto Salt Point Turnpike (CR 115). Take
the third left onto Edgewood Drive and proceed as above.
More
information and photos: Peach
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
37
- Poet's Walk Romantic Landscape Park - E, HOF Key
to Codes
120 acres
in the Town of Red Hook with varied habitat and great
views of the Hudson River. Grassland and woodland
birds, including Bobolink and Orchard Oriole.
Directions: Take
NY 9G to NY 199 (toward the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge). Make
a right (north) onto River Road and watch for the park
entrance on the left. Walking
distance: 2
miles. Allow 3 hours.
More
information (including trail maps): 1
- Scenic Hudson 2
-HV/net
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
38
- Pond Gut (Susie Quinn's) - ED, MFKey
to Codes
A
part of the Taconic-Hereford MUA with separate access
in the Town of LaGrange west of Verbank. Varied
habitat with a pond, stream, and trails. Good
year-round but best in spring. Warblers, Willow
and Acadian Flycatchers, hummingbirds, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher, Indigo Bunting, thrushes, owls, nesting
Goshawk. Used by hunters in season and snowmobilers
in winter.
Directions: 1.5
miles south of Verbank, drive west from NY 82 onto Skidmore
Road. Make a right onto
Gidley Road and then another right onto Pond Gut Road,
which has a parking lot at its dead end. Alternatively,
from the Taconic Parkway between Rt 44 and 55, go east
onto Rossway Road, then left on Downing Road, left on
Gidley Road, and
left onto Pond Gut Road. Walking
distance: 2 miles
(easy to moderate). Allow
2-4 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
39
- Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery - CE, HLOF Key
to Codes
30
acres in the Town of Poughkeepsie with many trees,
a lake, and a view of the Hudson River. Woodland
and urban birds, gulls, ducks, warblers, thrushes. Good
year-round but best in spring. Roadways and
trails.
Directions: Just south of the City of Poughkeepsie
(on the west side of US 9). Take the Academy Street
exit from US 9. Drive south to
the entrance to
the
cemetery. If going to the lake
once inside, keep left down the hill. Walking
distance: 1
mile (easy to moderate). Allow 2 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
40
- Reese Park - DK, LF Key
to Codes
38
wooded acres in the Town of Wappinger. This park is the
focal point/junction for the Town of Wappinger Greenway Trail
Network. It is a key segment in the Hudson River
Valley Greenway System. The Wappinger Greenway Trail
is a 10.7 mile figure 8 loop of on and off-road trails encircling
the lower Wappinger Creek and the Wappinger Lake.
Directions: From 9D take New Hamburg Road (CR28,
the continuation of Old Hopewell Road).
Before you get to the bridge that crosses the Wappingers Creek to New Hamburg,
make a sharp right onto Creek Road. Go about a mile down Creek Road
towards Wappingers Falls and turn right into Reese Park.
More
information: NY/NJ/CT
Botany
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
41
- Reese Sanctuary (Putnam Highlands Audubon Society)
- D, LFKey
to Codes
98
acres in the Town of Poughkeepsie (Hamlet of New
Hamburg) along the Wappinger Creek with marked trails.
Deciduous woodland with small hemlock groves. Waterfowl
including Wood Duck, woodland birds, warblers.
Directions: From
9D take New Hamburg Road (CR28, the continuation of Old
Hopewell Road) and cross the Wappingers Creek into New
Hamburg. Proceed
north on Bridge Street and bear right onto Main Street. A
few hundred yards up the street is a small park on the
right. The
trail begins at the far end of the parking lot by the
tennis court. Walking
distance: 1+ mile (moderate). Allow
2-3 hours.
More
information: NY/NJ/CT
Botany
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
42
- Rockefeller Lane / Pitcher Lane (Greig's Farm)
- CE, OKey
to Codes
Roadside birding in the
Town of Red Hook. Orchards and vast open fields of
crop lands, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. Best
in winter. Snow Bunting, Horned Lark, Tree Sparrow,
sometimes redpolls or Lapland Longspurs. In spring, look
for Bobolink and Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows.
Directions: Take US 9 north from Red Hook
about 2 miles. Turn
left on Rockefeller Lane. Bird from your car along
Rockefeller Lane, then turn right onto CR 79 and right
again onto Pitcher Lane. Take
Pitcher Lane back to US 9 and go right to Rockefeller Lane. This
rectangular route surrounds Greig Farm. Driving/walking
distance: 5
miles. Allow plenty of time to wait for birds to
come to the roadsides from the back of the fields.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
43
- Roger Perry Memorial Preserve (The
Nature Conservancy) - D, MOBF
117
acres at the base of the Taconic-Berkshire ridge
in the Town of Dover. Limestone hill with sandy
areas and fens. Nesting and migrating birds.
Directions: Take
NY 22 north toward Dover Plains. Go right onto
CR 6 and go about 1.4 miles to Lime Kiln Road, where
there is a bench. Make
a left onto Lime Kiln Road and go about 1.2 miles to
Sand Hill Road. Go
right on Sand Hill Road and drive .2 miles to the parking
lot on the right. Walking
distance: Less
than a mile (moderate). More
information: The
Nature Conservancy
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of PageKey
to Codes
44
- Saw Kill / Bard College Field Station - E, HSFKey
to Codes
250
acres at Bard College on the Hudson River in the
Town of Red Hook. Deciduous and hemlock woods,
bay, creek. Good year-round. Ducks during
migration, warblers, Bald Eagle, Osprey.
Directions: Take
NY 9G north about 1 mile past NY 199. Take Kelley
Road, the first left after crossing the Saw Kill. Turn
right onto Annandale Road (CR 103) and them left onto
Blithewood Road. Park
in the large lot on the left. Walking
distance: 1
mile (moderate). Allow
2-3 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
45
- Separate Road - CE, MOBFKey
to Codes
Roadside
birding in the Town of Amenia. Brush, mature
trees, farmland, orchards, marshes. Shorebirds,
warblers, and sparrows in spring, ducks during migration.
Directions: From
Millbrook, take US 44 east to Bangall-Amenia Road (CR
86). Drive north on CR 86 about one mile to Separate
Road. Alternatively,
from CR 83 in Smithfield, drive south onto Separate Road
at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church. Driving/walking
distance: 2
miles. Allow
2 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
46
- Skunk's Misery (Winchell Station) Road - CE, OFKey
to Codes
Roadside
birding in the Town of Pine Plains. Varied
habitat including marsh, pond, farmland, and deciduous
woodland. Best in spring and summer;
avoid during hunting season. Common Moorhen, Great
Blue Heron, Swamp Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, American
Kestrel, Indigo Bunting, grouse, warblers.
Directions: From
Pine Plains, drive east on NY 199. About a mile
after the intersection with Bean River Road (CR 59),
you will see a marsh on the left side; stop and bird
there. If approaching from the east on
NY 199, the marsh is on the right about 1 mile past the
intersection with CR 60. After birding the marsh,
proceed east on NY 199 for about a mile. Just after
the intersection with CR 60, turn right onto Skunks Misery
Road. Park your car and walk along the road,
which is about 3 miles long. Driving/walking
distance: 4-6
miles. Allow
2-4 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
47
- South Quaker Hill Road / Tower Hill Road - CE, MOFKey
to Codes
Roadside
birding in the Town of Pawling. Horse farms,
swamp, and woodland at high elevation with mountain
laurel. Best in spring and fall. At the
farms, you may find shorebirds, Eastern Bluebird, Orchard
Oriole, Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow, and hawks. In
the woods, look for Canada and other warblers, Swamp
Sparrow, Barred Owl, Blue-headed Vireo, and Broad-winged
Hawk. At Tower Hill Road you may find Northern
Waterthrush. In
winter watch for Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls.
Directions: From
Pawling, take NY 22 south to the traffic light at the
Grand Union/Ames shopping center. Turn left onto
Aikendale Road and then take the first right onto Ravine
Road. At the end of Ravine Road,
turn left onto South Quaker Hill Road and follow it until
you get to the CT state line. Park here and walk
back to Tower Hill Road. Go
down Tower Hill Road to a brushy swamp on both sides
of the road.
Driving/walking
distance: 3 miles. Allow
3 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
48
- Stissing Mountain Multiple Use Area (Hicks Hill
State Land) - D, SFKey
to Codes
450
acres in the Town of Pine Plains. Wooded hills,
mostly deciduous with some conifer plantations. Stream
and swampy areas. Best in spring
and fall; avoid during hunting season. Warblers,
vireos, nuthatches, kinglets, thrushes, flycatchers,
hawks, owls, pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey.
Directions: Drive
west from Pine Plains on NY 199 to Hicks Hill Road. Take
Hicks Hill Road south 3.5 miles to the MUA. Walking distance: 3
miles (moderate). Allow
3 hours.
More information: FWS
Dutchess Wetlands Habitat Description
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
49
- Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center - E,
MOFKey
to Codes
756
acres in the Towns of Wappinger and Fishkill. Varied
habitat with fields, deciduous and coniferous woods,
small brooks, swamps, and ponds. Best in spring
and fall. Trails (map available at the Manor
House). Waterfowl,
Ruffed Grouse, hawks, woodpeckers, Eastern Meadowlark,
sparrows.
Directions: Take
NY 9D north for 2 miles from Beacon or south for 1.5
miles from Wappingers Falls. Park at the
Manor house near the north entrance or in the lot near
the barns at the south entrance. Walking
distance: 3
miles (easy). Allow
3-4 hours. More
information: NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
50
- Taconic-Hereford Multiple Use Area - E, SFKey
to Codes
909
acres in the Towns of Pleasant Valley and LaGrange. Woodland,
orchards, wetlands, streams. Best May-October. Warblers,
thrushes, flycatchers, nuthatches, kinglets, Goshawk,
Broad-winged Hawk, Barred and Great Horned Owls. Avoid
during hunting and snowmobile seasons; also popular with
other offroad vehicle enthusiasts.
Trails
and old farm roads. Directions: Take
US 44 east from the Taconic Parkway about one mile. Turn
right onto South Road, then take the first right onto
Tyrell Road. Drive about 2.5 miles and look for
the brown MUA sign. Walking
distance: 2
miles (easy). Allow
2-4 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
51
- Taconic State Park (Rudd Pond) - E, LOFKey
to Codes
1250
acres in the Town of North East with a one-mile-long
pond, woodlands, fields, marshes. Best for
waterfowl in early spring and late fall. Other
birds include warblers, kinglets, creepers, and finches.
Directions: Take
US 44/NY 22 north to Millerton and continue east into
Millerton on US 44 after NY 22 branches off to the north. Turn
left onto Maple Avenue (CR 62, which becomes Rudd Pond
Road). Go
about 2 miles on CR 62 and enter the park right after
the pond on the right. Walking
distance: 3 miles
(easy on the road, moderate on the trails). Allow
3-4 hours. More
information: New
York State Parks
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
52
- Thompson Pond/Stissing Mountain (The Nature Conservancy)
- ED, LMF
507
acres in the Town of Pine Plains. Woodlands, wetlands,
open water. Best in spring and fall. Trails
around the pond and up Stissing Mountain. 162
species of birds recorded, including warblers, ducks,
Turkey Vulture, rails, Winter Wren, Swamp Sparrow,
woodpeckers, Golden Eagle.
Common Ravens nest on the slope visible from the
Lake Road causeway.
Directions: From
NY 82 in Pine Plains, turn west at the firehouse onto
Lake Road. Drive about 1.5 miles across the
causeway to the main entrance. Walking
distance: 3-4
miles (easy unless you climb the mountain). Allow
3 hours for the walk
around the lake.
More
information: 1
-The Nature Conservancy2
- FWS Dutchess Wetlands Habitat Description
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of PageKey
to Codes
53
- Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area (Kidd Lane) - EDK,
HMBF
1722
acres on the Hudson River in the Town of Red Hook.
Varied habitat including open and brushy areas, woods,
and a freshwater tidal marsh. Good year-round except
during hunting season. Veery, Winter Wren, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher, Field Sparrow, migrating warblers, marsh
birds.
Excellent views of a tidal swamp and cattail
marsh.
Directions: Take NY 9G north from
the NY 199 intersection to Kidd Lane. Turn left
onto Kidd Lane and look for the WMA sign about ½ mile
in. Turn
in and park, or drive the roads. Walking
distance:
3 miles (easy). Allow 4-6
hours. Trail Map & Info: Bard
College Photo
Tour: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Hudson Valley Photos
More information: 1
- Audubon Important Bird Areas
2
-National Estuarine Research Reserve System
County
Map & Birding Site ListTop
of Page
Key
to Codes
54
- Tower Hill Road - C, SOF Key
to Codes
Roadside
birding on an unpaved road in the Towns of Washington
and Amenia. Open country, deciduous woodlands,
stream with hemlock ravines. Best
in spring and early summer. Woodland birds, Broad-winged Hawk,
warblers, flycatchers (including nesting Acadian).
Directions: Take US 44 east 2.5 miles from Millbrook. Turn
right onto Tower Hill Road. Alternatively, take Tower Hill Road
to the left from NY 22 about 1 mile north of Dover Plains. Driving
distance: 6
miles. Allow 1 hour or more.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
55
- Tracy Road - C, SFKey
to Codes
A
seasonal, unpaved road in the Town of Pawling. High
elevations with mostly deciduous woods and a shrub
swamp and reservoir at the northern end. Best
in spring and summer; avoid during hunting season. Excellent
for warblers, especially during migration. Species
include Canada, Hooded, Worm-eating, and Black-throated
Blue Warblers as well as Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole,
Northern Waterthrush, and Ruffed Grouse.
Directions: From
Pawling, take NY 22 north for 2 miles to North Quaker
Hill Road (CR 68). Go right on CR 68 and follow
this road about 1.5 miles to the crossing where Tracy
Road goes off to the right (Quaker Lake Road goes to
the left). Turn right and drive past the houses
to the beginning of the unmaintained road, at the reservoir. Tracy
Road leads to Quaker Hill Road, CR 67, east of Pawling. Walking
distance: 3 miles. Allow
3 hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
56
- Traver Pond (Freedom Road) - C, LMOKey
to Codes
A
30-acre shallow lake in the Town of Pleasant Valley. Marshy
areas are at both ends and cultivated fields can
be seen beyond the pond. Best
in spring and fall. Great Blue Heron, waterfowl
(including nesting Wood Duck), Common Snipe, Belted Kingfisher,
flycatchers, swallows.
Directions: Take
US 44 to just east of the bridge in Pleasant Valley,
then go south onto South Avenue. Bear left onto
Freedom Road where Plass Road goes to the right. Drive
about ½ mile to the
pond and park well off the road on the shoulder.
Alternatively, go right onto Cramer
Road at the traffic light on NY 55 just west of the LaGrange
post office. Immediately
bear right onto Pleasant Valley-Freedom Plains Road (CR
47), which becomes Freedom Road. After Traver Road
branches off to the right, go about 2 more miles to the pond
on the left. Allow
1 hour.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
57
- Tymor Forest Park - E, LMOFKey
to Codes
A
500-acre park for Town of Union Vale residents. Varied
habitat including fields, oak woods, pine plantations,
and hemlock groves as well as Fishkill Creek and
Furnace Pond. Best between Labor Day and June
1. Warblers,
thrushes, waterfowl, hawks, Turkey Vulture, woodland
species, and birds of open fields.
Directions: Take NY 55 east
from the NY 82 intersection to the next traffic light. Go north
(left) onto Bruzgul Road (CR 21) and drive 1.5 miles. Turn
right at the sign for the park and park near the house
and barn.
Walking
distance: 2-3
miles (easy to moderate). Allow
3-4 hours.
More
information: NY/NJ/CT
Botany
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
58
- Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site - E, HSOFKey
to Codes
212
acres overlooking the Hudson River in the Town of
Hyde Park. Varied
habitat including meadows, woodlands, ponds, streams, inlets, and bays. Best
birding is in spring between the mansion and the river. Warblers,
thrushes, kinglets, woodpeckers, swallows, waterbirds,
gulls.
Directions: Just
north of the Village of Hyde Park on US 9. The
entrance is clearly marked. Walking distance: 2.5
miles (easy to moderate). Allow
3 hours.
Photo
Tour: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Hudson Valley Photos More
information: National
Park Service
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
59
- Vassar College - E, SOFKey
to Codes
1000 acres in the Town
of Poughkeepsie (including the farm, below). Varied
habitat includes a lake, marshy area, lawns with large trees,
a hemlock grove, and woodland. Best
in spring, late fall, and winter. Common woodland
species, sparrows, Green Heron, rails, Carolina Wren,
kinglets, nuthatches, owls, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
Pileated Woodpecker.
The campus has yielded some exceptional records
during the Christmas and May Censuses over the years.
Directions: Vassar
College is just outside the eastern edge of the City
of Poughkeepsie, with its main entrance on Raymond Avenue
(NY 376) a few blocks south of the NY44/55 arterial. Use
the entrance two driveways south of the Main Gate and
park in the large lot alongside NY 376 south of the greenhouses. Walking
distance: 2.5 miles (easy). Allow
2-3 hours. More
information: Priscilla
Bullitt Collins Wetlands Trail
County
Map & Birding Site ListTop
of Page
60
- Vassar College Farm - E, LMOFKey
to Codes
500
acres in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Varied habitat
including wooded hillside with trails, open fields,
meadows, marsh, ponds, and stream. Owls including
Long-eared, warblers including Prairie and Yellow,
Green Heron, Wood Duck, hawks, Bobolink, Killdeer,
cuckoo, flycatchers, vireos, swallows, and sparrows.
Directions: From Red Oaks Mill, take NY 376 north to the traffic
light where 376 becomes Raymond Avenue to the right while Hooker Avenue
goes straight ahead. Make a left into Vassar College Farm and drive straight
past the large barns. The parking lot is beyond
the barns near the vegetable gardens and athletic fields.
Walking
distance: 3 miles (easy to
moderate). Allow 2-3
hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
61
- Wappinger Lake - CK, LKey
to Codes
A
lake in the Town of Wappinger that is crossed by
US 9 south of NY 9D. Shallow in some areas,
it has bays and coves somewhat hidden from view. Best
in spring and fall when migrating waterfowl are present. Gulls,
geese, swans, grebes, ducks (including resident Wood
Duck), Belted Kingfisher, swallows, herons, shorebirds. Directions: Take US
9 south from the intersection with NY 9D. Cross the bridge over
the lake and go right onto Liss Road. Park and view the lake. Continue
to North Meiser Road and bear right, go past 3 stop signs to High Street. Turn
right onto High Street and go one block to Spring Street, turn right,
and drive past the dead end sign for a good view of the cove. As
you leave, turn right at the top of the hill onto Pelham Street and go
to Mill Street. At the 90-degree bend, view the north shore of
the lake. Continue to
East Main Street and turn right, crossing over the bridge, and follow
this to School Street. Turn right and follow School Street to Brown
Street and then go left on West Street out to East Main Street. You
can also view the north coves from the back end of the Wappingers cemetery,
staying on the outside drive through the cemetery. East
of US 9, park at the Professional Building or at Steak
and Stein and walk along the shore to view the inlet.
Driving distance: 3
miles. Allow 1-2
hours.
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
62
- Wassaic Multiple Use Area - D, BFKey
to Codes
488
acres in the Town of Amenia. Varied habitat
including forest and wetlands. Warblers (Black-throated
Green, Yellow-rumped, waterthrushes), tanagers, Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Ruffed Grouse, thrushes (including
Hermit).
Directions: Take
north from Dover Plains NY 22 to Tower Hill Road
(about 1.5 miles north of the intersection with NY
343. Follow
Tower Hill Road to the entrance. Walking
distance: 2-3
miles (easy). Allow
3-4 hours.
Trail Map : NYSDEC
Wassaic Trail Map More
information: NYSDEC
Wassaic MUA page
County
Map & Birding Site List Top
of Page
63
- Whitlock Preserve - E, MOBFKey
to Codes
26 acres in the Town of Stanford.
Varied habitat -- wooded
swamp, woods, open and brushy fields, and a pond.
Directions: Take US 44 east about 3/4 mile
from the Taconic to the 44/82 corner (where the trooper
barracks are). Take Rt 82 north about 5 miles (go about
one mile beyond the Shunpike (CR 57). Turn
right onto Knight Road. There
is a sign for Whitlock Preserve there. The entrance to
the parking area is on the left.
County
Map & Birding Site ListTop
of Page
64
- Wilcox Memorial Park - CE, LOFKey
to Codes
A 615-acre county park in the Town of Milan. Two
lakes, conifer plantations, open areas, grassland, and
streams. Trails. Best in early spring and
late fall. Hawks, owls, Woodcock, Common Snipe,
warblers, kinglets, nuthatches, finches, and woodland
species.
Directions: Take
the Taconic Parkway and exit onto NY 199 east. The
park is east of Lafayetteville, on the right. Walking
distance: 2-3 miles (easy). Allow
3-4 hours. More
information: Dutchess
County Online
County
Map & Birding Site ListTop
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- Wilderstein Historic Site - ED, HMOBF Key
to Codes
40 acres on the Hudson in the Town of Rhinebeck with
over 3 miles of trails and a Queen Anne style mansion. Varied habitat for a variety
of bird species. Photo Tour: NY/NJ/CT
Botany Hudson Valley Photos
More
information (including trail map & guide): Wilderstein
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