Birdwatching Sites in the Cayuga Lake Basin

A shaded stretch of Six Mile Creek,
home to Louisiana Waterthrush.

To reach the Baldwin Preserve:

This preserve is located in the Town of Dryden, on Irish Settlement Road, just before the intersection with Mineah and Hurd Roads (where Irish Settlement becomes Midline Road). From its intersection with Rt. 13, take Irish Settlement Road just over five miles (passing Beam Hill Road and Hammond Hill Road in the process). After passing Goodband Road on your right, look for an area on your left with a large number of conifers (red pines and some type of spruce). This is the Baldwin Preserve. There is room on the left side of the road to pull completely off the road and park.

Located on the Cornell University campus, Comstock Knoll is one of the few known breeding localities for Pine Warbler in the Cayuga Lake Basin. Starting in early April, the lazy trill of this species can be heard coming from high up in the red and white pines situated on the knoll. Birders should use caution in identifying "heard only" birds here, though, as Pine Warbler is not the only "triller" that can be heard at Comstock Knoll. Chipping Sparrow also breeds in the immediate area, and at least during the month of April, Dark-eyed Juncos are found singing here as well. This site is visited primarily to see Pine Warbler, but during spring migration, observers have also noted migrant Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

To reach Comstock Knoll:

From the Cornell Dairy Bar (at the intersection of Tower Road and Judd Falls Road), take Judd Falls Road north for a short distance, exit right, and turn right onto Plantations Road, passing under Judd Falls Road. The driveway for Comstock Knoll and the Plantations Headquarters will be the first (and only) right on Plantations Road.

Dryden Lake is considered by many to be the finest place in the Cayuga Lake Basin to view migrating waterbirds, and it is also an outstanding spot for seeing a variety of songbirds.  Because of the lake's small size and numerous vantage points, it is possible (with the aid of a spotting scope) to check the entire lake for birds, and often get outstanding looks at anything that is present.  During the month of April, this is a great place to see Common Loon and Horned Grebe in breeding plumage, as well as an assortment of dapper duck species, including Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, Common Merganser, and Hooded Merganser, among others.  The lake also plays host, on an irregular basis, to migrant Red-necked Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, and all three scoter species (with White-winged Scoter being seen most frequently, followed by Surf Scoter, and, most rarely, Black Scoter).  These species find themselves on the lake as the result of the so-called "Dryden Lake Effect," in which waterbirds migrating under favorable conditions (south wind) are suddenly forced down to water by the arrival of a cold front during the night.  These Dryden Lake Effect birds usually stay on the lake for only a day (or two, if you're lucky), and some even depart shortly after dawn on the day of their discovery.

Beginning in mid-April, with the arrival of early migrants like Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, the Dryden Lake area is also a great spot to look for migrant songbirds.  Walks along the "linear park" (an old abandoned railroad bed) in late April and early May yield a nice variety of warblers species, along with vireos, gnatcatchers, orioles, wrens, and flycatchers mixed in.  Brown Thrashers can often be heard singing from the hillsides behind the railroad bed, especially when they first arrive back in mid-April.  As for non-passerines, the Basin's first Solitary Sandpiper of the year is sometimes detected along the pond near the east end of the lake, and Spotted Sandpipers are a common sight along the lake edge.  Thanks to the efforts of the Cayuga Bird Club, there is now an Osprey nesting platform in the Dryden Lake marsh.  Although no Ospreys have used the platform yet, this species is seen regularly at the lake during the spring.  Back on the trail, Dryden Lake seems to be a good place (or at least a better place than most) for seeing or hearing a migrant cuckoo in early May.  Bird activity at Dryden Lake drops off significantly by the end of May, and although it is not a migration hotspot in the fall like it is in the spring, it is a good spot to look for migrant sparrows during September and October.

To reach Dryden Lake from the Cornell campus:

Take Rt. 366 northeast approximately three miles, to the junction with Rt. 13.  Turn right onto Rt. 13 and follow it east into the Village of Dryden (about five miles).  At the four-way intersection in Dryden, turn right onto Rt. 38.  Head south on Rt. 38 for a little more than a mile, looking for Chaffee Road on your left.  Turn left onto Chaffee Road, and proceed a short distance to a stop sign.  Turn left at the stop sign, and then take almost an immediate right into a parking area. Proceed to the end of the parking area, from which point you can scan the lake, and then continue on to the trail that runs along the lake.

The area along this paved path is not heavily birded during most of the year, but during spring migration, it often plays host to a very nice selection of migrant warblers, thrushes, and cuckoos.  There are two major segments to the recreation way:  one running from Game Farm Road to Judd Falls Road, and another that starts off of Mitchell Street and extends to Honness Lane.  The Game Farm-to-Judd Falls stretch is best known for its migrant warblers, and is also home to breeding birds like Yellow Warbler, House Wren, and Wood Thrush.  The Mitchell-to-Honness segment is perhaps best known as a stepping-off point to the famed Hawthorn Orchard.

To reach the East Ithaca Recreation Way:

From Day Hall on the Cornell University campus, follow Tower Road to its other end, where it meets Rt. 366. Turn left on Rt. 366, and proceed about a half mile to Game Farm Road, opposite the Statutory Fleet Garage.  Turn right on Game Farm Road, and follow it slightly less than a mile.  As you approach a dip in the road, the parking area for the recreation way will be on your right.  This stretch of the trail extends over Judd Falls Road, and then turns sharply to the left, eventually coming out on Maple Avenue.  Turn right on Maple Avenue, and walk to the Maplewood Apartments, on the opposite side of the street.  In the vicinity of the apartments, the path resumes, heading to Mitchell Street.  When you reach Mitchell Street, there will be a large black building on the opposite side of the street.  The path continues behind this building.  This stretch of path can also be easily reached from East Hill Plaza.  From the plaza, take Mitchell Street about a half mile, and the large black building will be on your left.

Before the revelation of the Hawthorn Orchard as a major migrant spot, the Ithaca City Cemetery was a favored site among Ithaca birders during spring migration. With an abundance of large spruces, the City Cemetery had a reputation as an especially good site for seeing Bay-breasted Warbler and Cape May Warbler, two uncommon migrants that breed in the boreal spruce forests to our north. The cemetery seems to be a good spot in general for migrant warblers with a preference for spruces, with Blackpoll Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, and Blackburnian Warbler all reported here in recent years, despite a small number of visits by birders. Other migrant warblers seen in recent years include Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ovenbird, and Northern Parula.

Although good birds can be seen here, this site can often be very quiet, as is perhaps fitting for a cemetery. However, on rare occasions, it can also be a great place to see a fallout of migrant thrushes. On one day in May 1996, there was a big fallout of Swainson's Thrushes here, with these usually secretive, difficult-to-see birds walking around on the green grasses of the cemetery like American Robins. Likewise, a notable total of ten Veery was seen in the cemetery in early May 2000.

Outside of the spring migration season, the Ithaca City Cemetery is rarely birded. The small ravine that runs through the cemetery appears to host nesting Dark-eyed Juncos. During winter finch invasion years, it is worth checking the spruces of the cemetery for irruptive visitors--in March 1998, up to ten White-winged Crossbills were seen here over the course of two weeks.

To reach the Ithaca City Cemetery:

The cemetery is located just downhill from the Cornell University campus, between Stewart and University Avenues.

Unbeknownst to many who live in Ithaca, there are two small lighthouses--one white and one red--at the south end of Cayuga Lake, marking the entrance of the Cayuga Inlet. The white lighthouse is connected to the mainland and is thus accessible to birders, providing a rare chance to get right out on the water. The red lighthouse is located on a jetty a short distance offshore, providing a small man-made island that gulls, terns, cormorants, shorebirds, and other visitors readily use during the summer months. During summers when the lake level is low enough, the red jetty hosts a raucous gathering of Caspian Terns, with numbers sometimes building to 60 or 70 birds. These large terns are sometimes briefly joined by one or two of their smaller cousins, Common Tern and Forster's Tern. In August 1999, an extraordinary flock of 40-50 Black Terns was also seen in the jetty area for a few days, foraging on insects over the water. During the late summer, the white lighthouse jetty is one of the best places in the Basin for "the swallow sweep," with Purple Martin and the five species of swallows sometimes all present at one time. Late August and early September is also the time to be looking for Common Nighthawks from the jetty. Scan along the ridges on both sides of the lake and look back over the city for these increasingly uncommon migrants. Back on the red jetty, a variety of migrant shorebirds stops on this little "island" in the fall before resuming southward migration. Expected shorebird species here include Dunlin, Sanderling, and Black-bellied Plover, while rare shorebirds found on the red jetty include American Avocet (July 1997), Willet (April 2003) and Purple Sandpiper (October 2003). Other rarities seen on the red jetty include Cattle Egret (August 1998) and Snowy Egret (August 1999). The red jetty is a popular resting spot for Double-crested Cormorants, so it is hoped that it might one day also play host to the Basin's first-ever Great Cormorant.

October and November are the months to be out on the jetty scouring the water and sky for migrating waterfowl, especially for uncommon species like Brant and the three scoter species. While the Loon Watch at Taughannock Falls seems to be the best place to witness Cayuga Lake's impressive fall loon migration, the jetty is a decent place to watch Common Loons (and the rare Red-throated Loon) passing overhead. Late fall is also the time to be out on the jetty searching for any jaegers that might be cruising down the lake on the way to the Atlantic Ocean. If you plan on going out on the jetty on a good fall migration day (complete with strong north winds), be sure to dress very warmly!

In order to reach the jetty, one must pass through an area commonly known as the "Lighthouse Woods" or "Jetty Woods." This small stretch of woods just before the start of the jetty is a popular place to look for migrant songbirds. While productive in the springtime (a Prothonotary Warbler was found here one May in the mid-1990s), this spot seems to be visited more frequently in the fall. In late August, large numbers of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have been observed in these woods, while a variety of warblers, including Tennessee Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and Hooded Warbler, follow in September and early October.

To reach the Ithaca Lighthouse Jetty:

From the intersection of Stewart and University Avenues on Cornell University's West Campus, proceed downhill on University to the four-way stop by Ravenwood Apartments. Go straight through this intersection; the road is now called Lake Street (University makes a 90 degree turn left at the four-way intersection). Follow Lake Street down the big hill past Gun Hill Apartments, and look for Lincoln Street on your left, near the bottom of the hill. Turn left onto Lincoln, and proceed about one mile on this street, until you come to an intersection with Dey Street. Turn right onto Dey; you will come almost immediately to an intersection (with traffic light) with Rt. 13. Cross straight over Rt. 13; the road becomes Willow Ave. on the other side of Rt. 13, and crosses over railroad tracks before taking a sharp turn to the left and then another turn back to the right. Stay on Willow until you come to a T-intersection. Turn left at the T, and proceed all the way to the end of the pavement. You will be right by the Newman Golf Course clubhouse, and the Johnson Marina. At the end of the pavement, there is a yellow gate, and beyond that, a dirt track that runs along the golf course and Cayuga Inlet. From the yellow gate, it is about a 10-15 minute walk out to the white lighthouse jetty.

This wildflower preserve along Six Mile Creek is included because it is a known locality, close to the Cornell campus, for seeing Louisiana Waterthrush. This species is one of the first warblers to return in the springtime, with the first individuals arriving back in the Basin in mid-April. While its Northern cousin prefers habitats with still water, the Louisiana Waterthrush is found only along fast-flowing streams, making it one of the characteristic birds of the many gorges in the Ithaca area. To find Louisiana Waterthrushes at Mulholland, follow the trail from the parking lot, heading upstream along the creek. In breeding season (April to late June), at least one pair of birds should be found along the stretch of stream between the parking area and the dam upstream. Listen for the waterthrush's loud song and loud, distinctive call, and keep your eyes open for birds flying up and down the stream.

To reach the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve:

From the intersection of College Ave. and Dryden Rd. in Collegetown, take College Ave. downhill until it meets Mitchell Street. Turn right onto Mitchell, and proceed straight (for a very short distance) to the stop sign. Turn left onto Rt. 79 East (E. State Street), and proceed on Rt. 79 to the third street on your right (Water Street). Turn right on Water Street and follow the street downhill to its end. Turn right at the end of Water Street, and the entrance to Mulholland Wildflower Preserve will almost immediately be on your left.

This spot, which is just a short walk from Comstock Knoll, has traditionally been one of the best places in the Ithaca area to see migrant songbirds, especially warblers. More than twenty species of warblers have been sighted here, including a rare Kentucky Warbler in May 1999. A short walk here in early May can quickly turn into a long outing, as a colorful assortment of Neotropical migrants--Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, vireos (including a White-eyed Vireo in May 2004), thrushes, flycatchers, and all the warblers--can keep birders busy for quite some time. Some of these species, such as Baltimore Oriole, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Warbling Vireo, will remain at Mundy to breed, joining resident species like Red-bellied Woodpecker and Carolina Wren. During the spring and summer months, check along Fall Creek for Northern Rough-winged Swallow and other swallows, as well as Great Blue Heron, Common Merganser, and Spotted Sandpiper. Finally, the wildflower garden is also home to the famous Mundy Eastern Screech-Owl. To find this sometimes-elusive bird, look first for the two sycamore trees (pictured at right) located along a small pond and position yourself in the same spot as the photographer of the picture. Then scan the cavities of the left tree. A bird is not always present, but on sunny spring days, there is a decent chance that as you check these holes, the face of a screech-owl will be filling one of them.

To reach Mundy Wildflower Garden:

From the Comstock Knoll and the Plantations Headquarters, cross Judd Falls Road and follow a trail up a grassy incline. Take a series of stairs completely down the hillside into the wildflower garden, and then explore the various trails between the hillside and Fall Creek.

Together with Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Stewart Park, Myers Point is one of the three best birding spots in the Cayuga Lake Basin. It offers birders a place to see a great variety of birds, often at close range, and it has also hosted a large number of Basin rarities. During the winter months, this is an excellent place to observe wintering waterfowl, especially diving ducks like Canvasback, Redhead, Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup.  Along with these birds and the ubiquitous Mallards, Canada Geese, and American Coot, one can usually find smaller numbers of Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Horned Grebe, and Pied-billed Grebe, as well as the occasional dabbling duck (such as Northern Pintail and Gadwall).  In early 1999, Myers also played host to one of the most exciting finds in the Cayuga Lake Basin in many years--a female King Eider. This bird was first seen from Ladoga Park, a public viewing point located just south of Myers Point. This spot provides viewing of the bay south of Myers Point, where large numbers of waterfowl often accumulate. 

Another major vantage point at Myers is "The Spit," a sandbar found where Salmon Creek empties into Cayuga Lake.  This spot, located in the Town of Lansing park at Myers, serves as a roosting place for Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull during the winter months.  Regular checking of this gull roost in winter could turn up an Iceland Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, or Glaucous Gull.

During the months of March and April, Myers is a great place to see just about any species of waterbird.  All of the above species are regularly seen, along with Common Loon, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser (which breeds in the area), and Red-breasted Merganser. April and May are the months to see migrating gulls and terns at Myers.  Check The Spit for resting Caspian Tern, Common Tern, and Forster's Terns, as well as Bonaparte's Gulls, and scan out over the water for these birds as they head north up the lake.

One of the major attractions of Myers during the late spring, summer, and fall is the ability to see a variety of shorebird species along The Spit.  There is no better place in the Basin to study shorebirds at close range.  The whole spit can be easily viewed with binoculars, making a spotting scope optional.  If you proceed with caution out onto The Spit, you can sometimes have shorebirds running past you just a few feet away.  Myers is probably the best spot in the Basin to see Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling (two uncommon spring migrants) during late May and early June, and it also serves as a stopping point for more common species like Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover and Semipalmated Plover.  Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper are both resident at Myers over the summer, and can be joined by southbound shorebirds as early as late June or early July. Almost every regular species of Basin shorebird has been seen at Myers at one point in time, and The Spit has also hosted a number of shorebird rarities, including American Avocet (one in June 1998 and two in August 1998), Whimbrel (May 2000 and May 2004), Piping Plover (September 2001), Purple Sandpiper (May 2002 and two in November 2002), Marbled Godwit (May 2002), Western Sandpiper (June 2003 and May 2004), and Willet (June 2003). Other recent rarities found at Myers include: Franklin's Gull (November 1997 and May 2003), Little Gull (August 1998), Greater White-fronted Goose (February 2001), Barrow's Goldeneye (January to March 2004), and the Basin's first-ever Black Guillemot (October 2004).

Myers is not especially well known for its songbirds, but the state-owned Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) land located just north of Salmon Creek does provide habitat for some summer nesters.  Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, and Warbling Vireo are all common nesters found in the area.  This Myers North land is also one of the better sites in the Basin to catch a glimpse of Orchard Oriole, a much rarer and less conspicuous bird than its larger relative.  Carolina Wren is a year-round resident at Myers, and can sometimes be seen or heard (although not regularly) on the DEC land.  Belted Kingfisher, while also present at Myers throughout the year, is much easier to observe during the summertime, especially along Salmon Creek.  One final highlight of summer birding at Myers is the presence of multiple species of swallows flying around the area, and occasionally landing on The Spit for a short time.  Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Bank Swallow, and Northern Rough-winged Swallow are the most commonly seen species, but there is also a decent chance of spotting a Purple Martin overhead if you play a game of hoops on the basketball court by the spit.

As in the springtime, Myers is an excellent place to witness waterfowl migration in the fall.  Birds seem to start moving in October and can still be seen migrating south into December.  All of the species mentioned above can be seen again at Myers in the fall, and the point also is a great spot to scan for scoters and Brant heading down the lake. Finally, Myers can be a great place to get an up-close look at Snow Bunting during late October and November. Although most birders associate this bird with wind-swept, manure-covered fields in winter, this species can be found along large bodies of water during migration. A thorough check of The Spit at the right time of year could yield great, odor-free looks at a beautiful bunting.

To reach Myers Point:

From Stewart Park in Ithaca, take East Shore Drive (Rt. 34) north until you reach a traffic light in South Lansing.  Turn left onto Rt. 34B, proceed downhill, past the Lansing schools on your right, and look for Myers Road on your left.  Turn left on Myers.  Within a mile, you will come to a stop sign and railroad tracks.  Continue straight ahead over the railroad tracks to visit the marina or Myers/Lansing Park, home of The Spit. To reach Ladoga Park, turn left at the stop sign, proceed for a short distance, and then turn right onto Ladoga Park, which will take you right to the lake edge.  Finally, to reach the DEC land on the north side of Salmon Creek, turn right at the stop sign, pass over the creek, and turn left onto a dirt road that continues out to the lake.

The Reynolds Game Farm is a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation facility whose purpose is to raise Ring-necked Pheasants for release into the wild for hunting. Besides being an excellent place to get up-close looks at captive pheasants, the Game Farm area at times plays host to an amazing concentration of raptors, especially Red-tailed Hawks. During recent winters, as many as 65 Red-tails have been reported from the immediate vicinity of the Game Farm at one time. This area also served as the wintering ground for a rufous-morph calurus-race Red-tailed Hawk for at least five years in the early 2000s. While species diversity is not consistently high at the Game Farm, the following additional raptor species have been seen at this spot in recent years: Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and Merlin.

To reach the Game Farm:

From Day Hall on the Cornell University campus, follow Tower Road to its other end, where it meets Rt. 366. Turn left on Rt. 366, and proceed about a half mile to Game Farm Road, opposite the Statutory Fleet Garage. Turn right on Game Farm Road, and follow it a little less than a mile. Turn left on Stevenson Road, and the pheasant pens will be on your left.

Salmon Creek flows more than fifteen miles from Big Salmon Creek's source in Scipio to its outlet into Cayuga Lake at Myers Point. However, when most birders use the term Salmon Creek, they are referring to a one-mile stretch of Salmon Creek Road between Brooks Hill Road and French Hill Road in Ludlowville. This area, now home to a Finger Lakes Land Trust preserve, is best known for its sizable population of breeding Cerulean Warblers, the only such population in the southern Cayuga Lake Basin. Unfortunately, Ceruleans often remain high in the canopy of the sycamores along Salmon Creek, making them difficult to observe. Learning the distinctive song of this species before visiting Salmon Creek can aid in locating this species. In addition to its signature Ceruleans, the Salmon Creek area is also known as a good place to look for Yellow-throated Vireo, Orchard Oriole, and Acadian Flycatcher, all uncommon breeders in the Basin. More commonly seen species at Salmon Creek include Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Blue-winged warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Baltimore Oriole.

To reach Salmon Creek:

From the town park at Myers Point, take Myers Road back out to Rt. 34, across from the Lansing High School. Turn left on Rt. 34 and proceed north 1+ miles until you reach Ludlowville Road, which will be on your right. Take Ludlowville Road for 0.4 miles and then turn left on Salmon Creek Road, which is just before the Federal House Bed & Breakfast. Follow Salmon Creek Road for almost four miles, until Brooks Hill Road comes in on your right. Park on the side of Salmon Creek Road any time after Brooks Hill Road, and explore the next mile of road, up to French Hill Road.

While Rusty Blackbirds and Eastern Phoebe are first seen at Sapsucker Woods in mid to late March, spring migration really starts to pick up here in mid-April, when migrants like Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Palm Warbler are found out on the trails. Late April marks the return of breeding Northern Waterthrushes to the sanctuary. The easiest place to observe this rather secretive species might be along the Woodleton Boardwalk, on the east side of Sapsucker Woods Road.  The trails on this side of the road receive less birding coverage than those on the west side, but can often be very productive.  The best covered trail at Sapsucker Woods is the Wilson Trail, which starts at the visitors' parking lot.  The stretch of trail between the Johnson Center and the Sherwood Observation Platform is a great place to look for migrant songbirds throughout May. Just about any species of warbler is possible as a migrant; commonly seen species during migration include:  Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, American Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat. Two migrant sparrows to keep an eye out for during warbler migration are White-crowned Sparrow and the more elusive Lincoln's Sparrow. Finally, be sure to scan The Snag at Sapsucker Woods whenever visiting in mid or late May--this is a preferred perching spot for Olive-sided Flycatchers briefly pausing on their northbound migration.

Bird diversity at Sapsucker Woods diminishes as spring migration winds down at the end of May, but the sanctuary is home to a nice array of breeding species during the summer.  Some of the more notable breeding birds are: Wood Duck, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Veery, Wood Thrush, and Scarlet Tanager.  By late August, the woods are relatively quiet, except for the occasional calling of an Eastern Wood-Pewee, and migrant songbirds are beginning to pass through. Wilson's Warbler is usually fairly easy to see along the Wilson Trail during September, along with the common spring warblers mentioned above. Philadelphia Vireo, a relatively rare migrant in the spring, is still uncommon in the fall, but more likely to be seen then. Identify this species with care, though, as the similar Red-eyed Vireo and Warbling Vireo are much more abundant.

To reach Sapsucker Woods:

Sapsucker Woods is located about three miles from the Cornell campus, and can be reached by foot, bike, and bus, as well as by car.  The TCAT bus route that provides service is Route 31, which also includes a stop at the Tompkins County Airport.  From Cornell University's North Campus, the easiest way to reach Sapsucker Woods on foot or bicycle is as follows:  starting at the entrance to the Hasbrouck Apartments (intersection of Pleasant Grove Road and Jessup Road), proceed into the Hasbrouck parking lot (the U-shaped paved area near the bottom of the map) and go around to the back until you are opposite the entrance to the Hasbrouck Community Center.  Go away from the community center, through an opening in a chain-link fence, and onto a gravel path that cuts across the Robert Trent Jones golf course (be sure not to disturb the golfers).  The trail comes out on Warren Road.  Turn left on Warren Road, proceed for a little more than a tenth of a mile, and then turn right on Bluegrass Lane.  This rough road runs straight for about two tenths of a mile, and then curves left, passing a small pond called Bull Pasture Pond.  This can be a good place to look for Spotted Salamanders on wet evenings in April.  Proceed past the pond to an area with a number of buildings.  Pass through this area, and follow the road along a sharp right turn and then a sharp left turn.  A final straightaway on Bluegrass will take you to Hanshaw Road.  Turn right on Hanshaw, and in less than a mile, Sapsucker Woods Road will be on your left.  Turn left off of Hanshaw onto Sapsucker Woods, and proceed about a mile.  If you are driving to Sapsucker Woods, do not take the shortcut on Bluegrass Lane.  This is a rough road with low levels of traffic.  Instead, take Warren Road until it intersects with Hanshaw Road, and then proceed as above.

The main attraction at Stewart Park is its extensive access to Cayuga Lake, stretching from the southeast corner of the lake westward to the mouth of Fall Creek. During the winter months, there can be huge concentrations of diving ducks at the south end of Cayuga Lake, often just north of the ice sheet that develops as temperatures drop. On the 2001 Ithaca Christmas Bird Count, an amazing 13,000+ Redhead were estimated to be in this area, along with 8,000 Canvasback. Smaller numbers of Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup can usually be found in these massive Aythya flocks, and there are often a few dabbling ducks like American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Northern Pintail on the periphery of such congregations. In some winters, these huge rafts of ducks are absent from the Stewart Park area, but even then there are plenty of other birds to be seen. Scores of both Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneye can usually be found offshore from the ice edge, and there are always plenty of Canada Geese in the area. Careful scanning through the thousands of Canada Geese could yield a "Richardson's" Cackling Goose, a small goose that was recently split from the larger Canada Geese. It should be noted that while most species of waterfowl here are identifiable solely with binoculars, a good spotting scope can make watching ducks, geese, and other waterbirds at Stewart Park a much more enjoyable experience.

The ice edge at Stewart Park also hosts substantial numbers of gulls during the winter months, with Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull predominating. Though hardly common, Lesser Black-backed Gull is being seen with increasing regularity, and a persistent observer is likely to also see at least one Iceland Gull or Glaucous Gull during the course of the winter. With the abundance of waterfowl and gulls at Stewart Park during the wintertime, it is only natural that birds of prey are also drawn to the area. Two of the true success stories of the Endangered Species Act--Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon--are now uncommon winter visitors to Stewart Park. They can sometimes be found standing on the ice edge, feeding on prey, or perched in one of the large dead trees along the mouth of Fall Creek.

With the arrival of warmer temperatures in mid to late March come the first spring migrants to Stewart Park: Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, and Wood Duck are all likely to be seen on the lake at this time, often with a few Tree Swallows flying overhead. Along the shoreline, American Pipits can sometimes be found working through the debris that accumulates as the lake thaws. The start of April brings more new species to the area, with Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, and scaup joining the mix of migrant waterfowl on the water. In the air, an Osprey might be seen cruising over shallow water looking for fish, and a few Barn Swallows are likely to have joined the larger numbers of Tree Swallows. Bonaparte's Gulls also begin to make appearances at this time, but they usually don't linger long, stopping only briefly before resuming their northbound migration.

During the course of April, an incredible diversity of waterbirds can be seen at Stewart Park. In addition to the species listed above, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Red-breasted Merganser, and Ruddy Duck are all birds that one can expect to see here during the month. Other species, such as Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, and White-winged Scoter, are all possibilities at Stewart Park during spring migration, but might not be seen every year. When these species do occur here, it is often only briefly, for a day or less. The same can be said for both Common Tern and Forster's Tern; in late April and early May, individuals of both species are occasionally found offshore from Stewart Park, resting on a buoy or piece of driftwood for a short time before continuing northward.

By late April, songbird migration is also starting to pick up, with warblers and other Neotropical migrants arriving in the Basin. While not generally thought of as a destination for finding landbirds, Stewart Park does offer the Swan Pen as a mini-hotspot for seeing migrants. Located by the western edge of the park, adjacent to the Cascadilla Boathouse, Fall Creek, and the lake, the Swan Pen is an artificial pond that formerly hosted a pair of Mute Swans. A small trail around the perimeter of the Swan Pen can be easily navigated in 5-10 minutes when not birding, but the walk can take significantly longer when good numbers of birds are present. This area seems to be a good spot for seeing particular migrant species, especially Palm Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Blackpoll Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Warbling Vireo, and White-crowned Sparrow. Some of the Yellow Warblers stay and breed in the willows along the Swan Pen, and it appears that a pair of Eastern Kingbirds also nests in the area. After completing the walk around the Swan Pen, it is always worthwhile to look across Fall Creek and scan the dead trees along its edge; during migration, one of these snags might serve as a perch for a Merlin, Osprey, or Black-crowned Night-Heron. In the summer months, search the same area for Green Heron skulking along the water's edge.

The Swan Pen at Stewart Park.

Following Fall Creek upstream away from the Swan Pen, one will soon come to a green footbridge that crosses over a small lagoon and enters a tract of mature bottomland forest. This is the home of the Fuertes Bird Sanctuary, named after famed bird artist Louis Agassiz Fuertes following his untimely death in 1927. Fuertes was the first president of the Cayuga Bird Club, and it is the club that is responsible for the upkeep of the sanctuary. In recent years, birders have visited this area, also referred to as the Renwick Sanctuary, primarily to view nesting Great Horned Owls. This species begins breeding in January, and can be located in the Fuertes Sanctuary by scanning large cavities or the tops of broken-off trees for the head (or at least "horns") of an incubating owl.

The Fuertes Sanctuary is rarely birded during spring migration, but sightings of Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-headed Vireo, and Palm Warbler during a single late April visit are suggestive of the potential to see migrants here. During the breeding season, the forest is home to a suite of breeding birds that includes Red-bellied Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, American Redstart, and Scarlet Tanager. The large sycamores and cotttonwoods in the sanctuary also provide nesting opportunities for a variety of cavity-nesting birds, ranging from Hooded Merganser to Pileated Woodpecker to European Starling. One of the drawbacks of birding in the Fuertes Sanctuary is that as a floodplain forest, it can sometimes be flooded during the springtime, rendering the trails inaccessible. And, as a fairly secluded area along the edge of a city park, the sanctuary has been reported to be the site of some unsavory or illegal human activities in the past. As a result, birders are encouraged to visit the sanctuary only during daylight hours.

Back in Stewart Park, the birding can be a bit slow during the summertime. This can be a good time to look (and listen) for one of the park's signature birds--Fish Crow. Although this species is sometimes found in other parts of Ithaca, it is most reliably found along the lake edge at Stewart Park. Listen for Fish Crow's nasal call to help distinguish it from the larger American Crow. Northern Mockingbird is another uncommon Basin breeder that can be found year-round at Stewart Park; listen for this more accomplished vocalist immediately upon entering the park from Rt. 13. When visiting Stewart Park during the summer months, also be sure to keep an eye out for rare visitors like Cattle Egret and Snowy Egret, both of which have occurred in the park in the past.

In October, migrant waterfowl begin to appear at Stewart Park again. All of the species listed as spring migrants above can also be expected during the fall. Three additional species--Brant, Surf Scoter, and Black Scoter--are much more likely to be seen at the south end of Cayuga Lake during fall migration. Even then, though, these species are not always easily observed. While Brant can sometimes be seen resting on the lake (or feeding on the grass at Stewart Park), a more common sight of this species is that of a shifting flock flying south over the lake, gradually gaining altitude to fly over Stewart Park, and continuing southward. Scoters, on the other hand, are usually found on the lake, and sometimes remain in the area for several days. However, they are often found far out on the lake, making identification to species difficult even with a spotting scope. A combination of persistence, a spotting scope, and good luck is usually needed to get satisfying looks at any of the three species of scoters at Stewart Park. These species, together with Long-tailed Duck and Red-necked Grebe, are often better seen from nearby East Shore Park.

In addition to hosting an excellent diversity of common birds, Stewart Park has been the site of some of the most exciting discoveries of rare birds in Cayuga Lake Basin history. The following rarities have all been seen at Stewart Park just since 2000: Little Gull (April 2000, May 2002, and Jan. 2003); Sabine's Gull (Oct. 2000); Laughing Gull (Dec. 2000 and Sept. 2002); Eared Grebe (April 2001); New York State's second record of Long-billed Murrelet (Dec. 2001), Northern Gannet (Dec. 2001 and Dec. 2003); Arctic Tern, Red Phalarope, Wilson's Storm-Petrel, and Parasitic Jaeger (all in Sept. 2003, following Hurricane Isabel); Greater White-fronted Goose (two in Nov. 2003); Audubon's Warbler (Oct. 2004); and the Basin's first-ever Cave Swallows (Nov. 2004). Standing at the south end of Cayuga Lake, there is the sense that almost any bird, whether common or rare, could be found in the Stewart Park area.

To reach Stewart Park:

From downtown Ithaca and points to the south, take Rt. 13 north to the "Stewart Park/Auburn" exit. At the exit ramp stop sign, turn left onto Rt. 34 (also called East Shore Drive). Almost immediately after passing under Rt. 13, turn left onto James Gibb Way. Then turn right onto Gardner Parkway, cross over the active railroad tracks, and proceed into Stewart Park. Once inside the park, turning to the right will bring a visitor to the east end of the park, while turning to the left eventually leads to the Swan Pen and the bridge to the Fuertes Sanctuary.

From the Laboratory of Ornithology and points to the east, take Rt. 13 west (and eventually south), eventually descending dramatically towards lake level. Near the base of the incline, look for the "Stewart Park/Auburn" exit. Take this exit, and after stopping at the end of the exit ramp, proceed straight ahead onto Gardner Parkway and into Stewart Park. Once inside the park, turning to the right will bring a visitor to the east end of the park, while turning to the left eventually leads to the Swan Pen and the bridge to the Fuertes Sanctuary.

Cornell students can reach Stewart Park by bus, bicycle, or foot (although it is a rather long walk from campus). The TCAT bus route servicing Stewart Park is Route 13. This route does not cover campus, though, so taking an additional bus would likely be necessary. Also, this bus route does not run on Sundays. To bike or walk from campus, the most direct route is to follow University Avenue downhill from West Campus. Go straight through the intersection with Stewart Avenue, and then go straight through the next intersection. Follow the road, now known as Lake Street, down the very steep Gun Hill, and then over Fall Creek (with Ithaca Falls visible on the right). Now known as East Shore Drive, the road continues past the Boynton Middle School and Ithaca High School and eventually passes under Rt. 13. Almost immediately after passing under Rt. 13, turn left onto James Gibb Way. Then turn right onto Gardner Parkway, cross over the active railroad tracks, and proceed into Stewart Park. Once inside the park, turning to the right will bring a visitor to the east end of the park, while turning to the leads eventually leads to the Swan Pen and the bridge to the Fuertes Sanctuary.

Summer Hill burst onto the mainstream Basin birding scene in October 1997, when Chris Hymes and Bard and Gina Prentiss discovered a single Pine Grosbeak in Summer Hill State Forest. Following this initial find, numerous Ithaca birders made the trek up to the area, and many were rewarded with looks at multiple Pine Grosbeaks between late October 1997 and January 1998. At roughly the same time, winter finch fanatic Matt Young was becoming involved in the local birding scene, and it was only a matter of time before Young adopted Summer Hill as his favorite Basin birding spot. Due in large part to Matt Young’s tireless efforts, it has become apparent that Summer Hill is not only a great place to see his beloved winter finches, it is also home to one of the most diverse collections of breeding warblers in all of central New York.

Besides being a great birding spot, Summer Hill can also be the source of confusion, prompting questions like “Where is Summer Hill?” “What exactly is Summer Hill?” and “How is Summer Hill in the Cayuga Lake Basin?” The Town of Summer Hill is located in the very southeast corner of Cayuga County, just east of the Town of Locke, and immediately north of the Town of Groton. The Town of Summer Hill contains the very small Village of Summer Hill, and the very large Summer Hill State Forest. The state forest, which is composed primarily of a massive Norway spruce plantation, is the focus of most birding trips to Summer Hill, but the entire area around the forest offers good birding opportunities. This description will use the term “Summer Hill” to refer to Summer Hill State Forest and the areas adjacent to the forest. The Town of Summer Hill is also home to Lake Como, which is the source of Fall Creek. This creek, of course, eventually finds its way to Cayuga Lake, thus making most of Summer Hill “in the Basin.”

A basic tour of Summer Hill can be made by traveling along five major roads. Rt. 90 forms the southern boundary of Summer Hill, running in an east-west direction. Salt Road and Lick Street mark the east and west boundaries, respectively, of the “core” Summer Hill area. They run north from Rt. 90 to Fillmore Road, which marks the northern edge of Summer Hill. Salt and Lick are also connected by Hoag Avenue, which is a seasonal limited use road (meaning that it is not plowed during the long Summer Hill winter). It was along Hoag Avenue, in a small bog-like area not far from Salt Road, that Chris Hymes and Bard and Gina Prentiss found that lone Pine Grosbeak in October 1997. Since that time, all of the winter finches (except for Hoary Redpoll) have been found at Summer Hill at least once. The now-married Chris Tessaglia-Hymes discovered two Red Crossbills near the corner of Salt and Hoag in late March 1999, and later that same year, Matt Young received a Halloween treat when he too found two Red Crossbills, just a short distance farther north on Salt Road. It was also Matt Young who turned up White-winged Crossbills at Summer Hill, not once, but twice in 2001. After predicting in early March that White-winged Crossbills and Pine Siskins could possibly be breeding at Summer Hill, on the heels of winter breeding of these species in the Adirondacks, Young then went out and found four White-winged Crossbills and two Pine Siskins in a small white spruce stand at the corner of Lick Street and Hoag Avenue. Later, in November 2001, Matt Young found a few White-winged Crossbills and a single Red Crossbill at a feeder along Lake Como Road, which is east of Salt Road and runs from Fillmore Road to Rt. 90. Evening Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls typically show a biennial pattern of irruption into the Northeast, and when it is a “grosbeak and redpoll year,” both species can be seen and heard in good numbers at Summer Hill. In the winter of 1999-2000, for example, Matt Young reported over 100 individuals of each species during his visits to the area.

Birding Summer Hill in the wintertime can be very much a hit-or-miss experience. Summer Hill State Forest is a very large area, and even when there are birds there, they can be difficult to find in the middle of the winter, when the temperatures are low and there are several feet of snow on the ground. A mile-long walk along Hoag Avenue can result in detecting absolutely no birds on a very bad day, but usually an observer is likely to see some Black-capped Chickadees, and at least hear Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, and Golden-crowned Kinglet (all permanent residents of the forest). And, the allure of Summer Hill is that there is always the chance of hearing a flyover grosbeak, siskin, redpoll, or crossbill while walking along a road through the forest. The best place to get good looks at winter birds at Summer Hill, though, is often at one of the few birdfeeders scattered throughout the area. Away from the state forest, Summer Hill can be a great place for other winter birds. The open fields along Salt and Lick, near Rt. 90, are good places to scan for Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur. Brushy areas near the south end of Lick Street, as well as the stretch of Fillmore Road between Salt and Lick, offer perfect habitat for Northern Shrike. American Tree Sparrows can be found in brushy areas throughout the Summer Hill area during the wintertime.

Springtime comes late to Summer Hill, with snow sometimes remaining on Hoag Avenue (which is great for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling) into April. The presence of snow, however, doesn't’t deter early breeders like Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Purple Finch from singing away on warm mornings in early to mid-April, and the mechanical wing-drumming of Ruffed Grouse can also be heard at this time of year. Early spring is a good time for seeing migrants like Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (which also breeds at Summer Hill), and Rusty Blackbirds passing through the area. Northern Shrikes and American Tree Sparrows depart Summer Hill in early spring, and if you are lucky, you might hear their seldom-heard songs before they leave for their Arctic breeding grounds.

Early May marks the return of scores of Neotropical migrants to their breeding grounds, and Summer Hill is a great place for breeding birds, especially warblers. Mourning Warbler, an uncommon bird throughout the rest of the Cayuga Lake Basin, is an abundant breeder at Summer Hill. Listen for this warbler’s loud song, and look for it in the many places at Summer Hill with a tall, open canopy, no midstory, and dense low vegetation (especially raspberry brambles). In the heart of the spruce plantation, near the intersection of Salt and Hoag, listen for the songs of Magnolia Warbler (another common breeder) and Blackburnian Warbler. A short walk down Hoag Avenue to “the bog” will bring you to the haunts of the Northern Waterthrush, which can also be found in other wet areas in Summer Hill. Along the edge of the boggy area, Canada Warblers take up territory, and you might also hear the distinctive two-parted song of a Nashville Warbler in mid to late May. The mixed hemlock-deciduous woods just past this area (heading west, towards Lick Street) seem to be a good place for Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Black-throated Green Warbler is likely any place at Summer Hill where there is a decent number of hemlocks.

If you drive north on Salt Road from its intersection with Hoag Avenue, you will quickly arrive at an intersection with Dresser Road, which approaches Salt from the east. Turn right on Dresser Road, proceed a short distance past a stand of red pines, and then look for an unnamed road on the left. It is advisable to park your car on Dresser, and then walk down this road for a short ways. You will quickly come to an open area on your left, with standing water and numerous snags. Matt Sarver has christened this spot “The Black-backed Woodpecker Spot,” not because Black-backed Woodpecker has been seen here, but rather because if this species is to occur in the Cayuga Lake Basin, this might be a better spot than most in which to find it. This area is perhaps better called “The White-throated Sparrow Spot,” because the brushy area behind the snags is home to breeding White-throated Sparrows, a species not known to breed anywhere else in the Basin. The same brushy area where the sparrows breed also hosts breeding Blue-winged Warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Alder Flycatchers. To walk back amongst these birds, look for a grass path on the left side of the unnamed dirt road, just beyond the numerous snags. The beautiful songs of Veery can be heard coming from the forest adjacent to this brushy successional area. Other breeding forest birds in the Summer Hill area include: Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Raven, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Outside of the state forest, check the fields along Salt and Lick for the incredible flight songs of displaying male Bobolinks. These same fields will likely host Savannah Sparrows, and possibly Grasshopper Sparrow. At the north end of Lake Como, turn off Lake Como Road onto Branch Road, and pull off to the side of the road near the small bridge. Tree Swallows and Northern Flickers nest in the natural cavities in the many snags in the wet area on the north side of the road, and Yellow-throated Vireos can be heard singing from this spot. In May 2004, a Red-headed Woodpecker was also found at this spot, offering hope that it might be breeding nearby.

Summer Hill is not known as a hotspot for fall migration birding, but it can be a good place to see migrant sparrows and Rusty Blackbirds during the month of October. This is also the time when the first winter finches of the season can appear, and the Summer Hill excitement begins again.

To reach Summer Hill:

There are many different ways to reach Summer Hill from Ithaca. This is one fairly direct route that also allows for a convenience store stop in the Village of Groton. From Day Hall on the Cornell University campus, take East Avenue to North Campus. Turn right (before Louie’s Lunch Truck) onto Wait Avenue, and then after a short distance, turn right onto Triphammer Road. Take Triphammer to a stop sign in Cayuga Heights, and turn left. Immediately turn right onto North Triphammer Road, which passes Triphammer Mall and Pyramid Mall. Follow North Triphammer Road a total of 4.6 miles (from its start in Cayuga Heights) to Rt. 34B in Lansing. Turn right on Rt. 34B, and follow it 6.7 miles to a stop-light intersection with Rt. 38. Turn left on Rt. 38, and take it 2.7 miles to a stop sign in the Village of Groton. Turn left at this stop sign onto Main Street, and follow Main Street for a half-mile, through the village. Upon leaving the village, turn right on Rt. 222. Follow Rt. 222 for 2.2 miles, and then turn left on Salt Road. From this intersection, it is 3.2 miles to the intersection of Salt Road and Rt. 90. Cross over Rt. 90, and follow Salt into Summer Hill State Forest. Hoag Avenue is about 2 miles north of the intersection of Salt Road and Rt. 90. It takes 30+ minutes to reach the intersection of Hoag and Salt from Ithaca.