Derby Hill Bird Observatory
The Oswego Canal
Oswego County Nature Park at Camp Zerbe
Rice Creek Biological Field Station
Birding Along the Seaway Trail
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www.derbyhill.org
Best Spring Hawkwatch in Northeast
Derby Hill Bird Observatory is the best spring hawkwatch location in the Northeastern United States. Its strategic location at the southeast corner of Lake Ontario near Mexico, New York, makes it an excellent spring site for observing migrating raptors and other birds. It is not unusual in mid-April to see upwards of 2,000 raptors in a day, including Bald Eagle, Swainson’s hawk, Golden Eagle, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon. On this same day one could see Sandhill Crane, Common Raven and Great Egret as well as many small passerines such as Blue Jays, American Robins, and substantial numbers and varieties of warblers. In Spring 1995 a world-record total of 19,531 Red-tailed Hawks was counted at Derby Hill; 4,591 of these occurred on 11 April.
Derby Hill’s History
Recognized as a prime vantage point by Schneider and VanBeurden in the 1950’s, Derby Hill Bird Observatory, about 50 acres in Oswego County, is now owned and operated by Onondaga Audubon Society (OAS), of Syracuse, New York. The 40 acres at the North Lookout were first purchased by The Nature Conservancy from Syracuse University and deeded to OAS in 1975. The Onondaga Audubon Society has since acquired several additional parcels of land and the cottage at the North Lookout, which serves as the headquarters and the springtime hawkwatcher’s residence.
Unusual Sightings
Other bird records of note at the Derby Hill Bird Observatory are: a very rare south of Alaska, immature While-tailed Eagle seen by many observes in 1993; a Swallow-tailed Kite in April 1976; a Mississippi Kite in May of 1990; and three Gyrfalcons, the latest being February 1994. Other species regularly seen in numbers are Eastern Bluebird, Snow Goose, Common Loon and Brant. In some years Northern Shrike and Short-eared Owl have been seen as they moved north to breeding grounds. Out-of-range species seen at Derby Hill include Swainson’s Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler. In the late fall, with strong NW winds, jaegers can be seen, and a record number of 200+ (mostly Parasitic) were counted on 7 October 1979. A visit to Derby Hill is always rewarding, some days more than others; the movement of the birds is very weather dependent.
Weather Affects Migration
Good flights of raptors are dependent on favorable weather conditions. Strong southerly wind-flows create the best conditions. Snow, heavy rain and strong northerly or easterly winds reduce the volume of hawks moving through. An ideal weather set-up is a low pressure system approaching from the west with preceding southerly winds. Lesser numbers of birds will pass on west and northwest winds as the hawk flight is dispersed inland away from Lake Ontario. Often the cold lake water creates a light northern breeze (even though one may have awakened to a nice southerly flow at home); this condition will cause lesser numbers of birds to pass Derby Hill. But some families of raptors, notably falcons and accipiters, will fly even in “poor” conditions.
Directions:
Interstate 81 to exit 34 (Maple View), West on 104 to Rte. 3 North (Mexico), North on Rte. 3 to 104B (Kaine’s Corners), West on 104B 1 mile to Sage Creek Rd. Make a right onto Sage Creek Rd. Proceed to South or North Lookout
Things to remember when visiting Derby Hill:
- Seeing the flights of the birds is dependent on favorable weather conditions. The largest groups of birds pass over Derby Hill when there is a low-pressure system from the west with a high pressure producing strong southerly winds.
- Don't expect to see hawks before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Expect to have great conversation with out-of-state visitors. Judy said that typically, a little less than half of the birders on Derby Hill don't live in New York.
- If you plan to stay a while, bring a folding chair. Derby Hill has extras, but on a busy day, you take the chance of not getting one.
- Bring lunch.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat or visor.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. Birders are an extremely friendly and enthusiastic bunch, and love to share their extensive knowledge of identification with you.
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If you enjoy watching birds, a trip along the Oswego Canal will provide you with many interesting opportunities. Many species of birds which breed in Central NY can be found along the ---- mile Oswego Canal as it traverses various habitats.
The water's edge along the Oswego River and the Canal provide areas for wading birds such as Great Blue Heron and the smaller Green Heron to feed on frogs, snakes and fish in shallow water. You'll find a variety of ducks, with the most common being the Canada Goose and Mallard.
Caspian Terns, Double-crested Cormorants, and gulls (Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed) may be seen flying and diving to catch fish found in the deeper waters of the River. On the shrubby, more wooded banks, a wide variety of song birds may be seen and heard -- Gray Catbirds, Warbling, Red-eyed, and Yellow-throated Vireos, Great Crested, Willow and Alder Flycatchers, Baltimore Orioles (look for their globular hanging nests in branches hanging over the river), Song Sparrows, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and American Redstarts are all commonly found.
In the air, insect-eating species - Barn, Bank, Northern Rough-winged, and Tree Swallows, Purple Martins (many homes along the river maintain special colonial bird houses for this species which feeds on mosquitoes), and Chimney Swifts, will fly low over the water snatching insects, feeding literally "on the wing".
Another insect-eating species, the Eastern Phoebe, nests under bridges. Watch for this species as it perches on a small branch near the water's edge, flying out to catch an insect and returning to its perch to feed, often pumping its tail up and down while perched.
If you are extremely lucky you may see an Osprey, and luckier still, a Bald Eagle; though Bald Eagles are more common winter birds along the open water sections of the River and Canal in late fall and winter.
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NYS Rte. 104, Williamstown
Offers nature enthusiasts hundreds 364 acres of wilderness, and includes beautiful and unique glacier-made "kettlehole" lakes which attract a variety of wildlife. The park features 3 miles of marked nature trails, interpretive center, pavilion, educational exhibits, and a meeting center. Hiking, canoeing, birding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing. Camp Zerbe is open from dawn to dusk. The meeting center and interpretive center are open by appointment. Pets and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the park. For more information, call (315) 349-3451.
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Thompson Road, Oswego State University
An instructional and research unit of the State University of New York College at Oswego, the state property consists of the 26-acre Rice Pond surrounded by 400 acres of land in several stages of growth from open fields to mature forests. Trails provide access to the various habitats around the station. The building contains two lab/classrooms, a lecture room, and exhibit areas with an indoor viewing gallery. Hiking, birding, exhibits, lectures and workshops. Rice Creek Field Station is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. 315/312-7961