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Birding in Saranac Lake
So many species in so many habitats

 

Saranac Lake is home to a wide variety of year-round and migratory bird species, creating an exciting birding atmosphere that is great in any season! Whether you’re looking for boreal species, winter finches, or migrating waterfowl, you’ll be sure to find your target species here!

Diverse birds, diverse habitat

Have you ever seen a Black-backed Woodpecker? Or heard the bizarre call of an American Bittern? Or watched a Bald Eagle soar over a remote waterbody? Saranac Lake has all that, and more! The Paul Smith’s College VIC is one place birders can visit where a wide variety of bird species can be found. Here, boreal forests, northern hardwoods, peatland bogs, swamps, marshes, and ponds all form a diverse tapestry of habitats. You’ll be able to find bird species from Hermit Thrushes to Northern Saw-whet Owls to Osprey. And the warblers are everywhere in the spring! Palm Warblers really light up the peatland bogs with their bright yellow feathers and equally colorful songs.

Another favorite birding location is the Bloomingdale Bog. This is a known haunt for the friendly Canada Jay. Other boreal species, like Boreal Chickadees, can be found along Oregon Plains and Bigelow roads. If you’re in such locations in winter, you can also hunt for Red and White-winged Crossbills if it is a good year for finding them, and they will no doubt find some of the other hardy wintering species – like Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Black-capped Chickadee, perhaps stumbling across a Ruffed Grouse as well. 

It’s not all boreal habitat in Saranac Lake. Places like the pond at the Saranac Lake High School and the shoreline around Lake Colby usually offer up such species as Osprey, Great Blue Herons, migrating shorebirds, and many species of waterfowl. Even a trip around town, stopping to look at ornamental trees, can be productive: in winter, you might see Pine Grosbeaks snacking on fruits! Don't forget about the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, too, hammering away in the forests.

Roll with the changes 

In winter, it’s not uncommon to find Common Redpolls or Evening Grosbeaks at feeders. As we progress into spring, species diversity greatly increases and birdwatching becomes especially exciting as migrants pass through the area and nesting birds return to breed. Buffleheads can be found on many lakes, Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers return to take up residence in the bogs and marshes as we move toward summer, and warblers like Yellow-rumped Warblers and Northern Parulas sing all day long in many forests. Spring evenings are often marked by the hoots of Barred Owls and the toots of Northern Saw-whet Owls. 

Summer is a time of plenty. Plenty of sunlight. Plenty of songs. Plenty of birds. Plenty of places open to explore. While the breeding species will stay for a few months, their exuberance of song is already quieting by the second week of July. Birders coming later in the summer will still find plenty of birds – but they may not be advertising themselves as conspicuously as a result. 

The transition into fall marks the beginning of a quieter time, but, still, there are birds to be found. The Song and White-crowned Sparrows of summer are replaced by Pine Siskins and Snow Buntings and, as the seasonal winds change directions, Commons Loons can gather in large groups on our lakes, preparing for their wintering grounds south of here.

Birding is an ever-changing adventure; you never know who or what you’re going to see! So get your binoculars and spotting scopes and head to Saranac Lake today!

Leave No Trace and Love Your ADK Pledge

The magic of the Adirondacks is the result of previous generations taking a long view and protecting the mountains, lakes, and rivers within the Blue Line. That tradition continues today as we support and encourage everyone to practice Leave No Trace ethics, which help protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks:

You can pledge to Love Your ADK here or find more information at www.LoveYourADK.org.

 

Bloomingdale Bog Trail
The Bloomingdale Bog Trail is a scenic, end-to-end path that follows an old railroad corridor that connects Saranac Lake to Bloomingdale. The entire route is wide, level, and mostly...
Location:
Route 86 , Saranac Lake , 12983
Phone:
(518) 891-1990
Details
Blue Mountain Road
A combination of paved and dirt roads creates a difficulty level of beginner. The scenery is wonderful and the birding is excellent! 
Location:
Keese Mills Road , Paul Smiths , 12970
Phone:
(518) 891-1990
Details
Saranac Lake High School Pond
A nature trail around this small pond at the High School is a very productive place to go birding! Spring is especially exciting with migratory shorebirds making an appearance and, as the season...
Location:
Edgewood Road , Saranac Lake , 12983
Phone:
(518) 891-1990
Details
Lake Colby Railroad Tracks
A fun little hike along the railroad tracks that separate Lake Colby from Little Colby Pond, this spot can't be beat for quick access to a hike right in town!
Location:
John Munn Road , Saranac Lake , 12983
Phone:
(518) 891-1990
Details
Raquette Falls
Location:
Corey's Road , Tupper Lake , 12986
Phone:
(518) 359-3328

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Upcoming Events

Warm Weather Politely Adirondack Resources
Monday, April 19th, 2021
The sun is shining and the weather has warmed up. Time to get the Politely Adirondack animals out of their winter gear!  In the toolkit you will find all the warm weather Politely...
Hornbeck Canoe Raffle - Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
Monday, April 19th, 2021
Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation to Raffle  One-of-a-Kind Hornbeck Canoe   The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, a non-profit based in Saranac Lake, New York, is raffling a...
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Recent Blog Posts...

Ampersand in Winter
Tuesday, February 16th, 2021
Ampersand Mountain is a wonderful peak that sits about 8 miles south of the village of Saranac Lake, off Route 3 going toward Tupper Lake. While the trail is wildly popular in the summer, a...
An ADK Night Out by Twinkle & Star Light
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021
Submitted by guest blogger Anna Rissberger You know the story: small town girl grows up dreaming of the day she can finally escape the little town where nothing ever happens, so she leaves said...
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Earn Your Patch There’s an adventurous spirit in all of us. In Saranac Lake, you can answer that call by becoming a Saranac Lake 6er.
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Unplug Outdoors The mountains, rivers, and lakes bordering Saranac Lake aren’t just for show, and those boots on everyone’s feet aren’t a bold new fashion statement.
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Enter to Win Sample Saranac Lake with this getaway package. Enter now!
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