Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
    • Seasons
    • See all
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Accessibility
    • Arts
    • Attractions
    • Downtown
    • Health & Wellness
    • History
    • Live Music
    • Parks
    • Shopping
    • Stories
    • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
    • Hiking
    • Nature Walks
    • ADK Guides & Tours
    • Birding
    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Cycling
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Fishing
    • Golfing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Mountain Biking
    • Paddling
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • North Country New Year
    • Northern Current
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Packages
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
    • Accessibility
    • Downtown
    • Getting Here
    • Greater Region
    • Guide
    • Stories
    • Seasons
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Local
    • Local
    • See all
    • Live Here
    • Meet the Locals
    • Real Estate
    • Town of Harrietstown
    • Town of North Elba
    • Town of St. Armand
    • Village of Saranac Lake
    • Do Business Here
    • Chamber Job Board
    • Essex County IDA
    • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
    • Professional Services
    • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Community Initiatives
    • Arts & Culture Master Plan
    • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    • Saranac Lake Brand
    • Village Community Development Department

Celebrate Paddling ADK

Homepage Story 5 Reasons To Go Birding In Saranac Lake
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
      3. Seasons
      4. See all
      5. Spring
      6. Summer
      7. Fall
      8. Winter
      9. Accessibility
      10. Arts
      11. Attractions
      12. Downtown
      13. Health & Wellness
      14. History
      15. Live Music
      16. Parks
      17. Shopping
      18. Stories
      19. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
      3. Hiking
      4. Nature Walks
      5. ADK Guides & Tours
      6. Birding
      7. Boating
      8. Camping
      9. Cross-Country Skiing
      10. Cycling
      11. Downhill Skiing
      12. Fishing
      13. Golfing
      14. Ice Fishing
      15. Mountain Biking
      16. Paddling
      17. Snowmobiling
      18. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      4. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      5. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      6. North Country New Year
      7. Northern Current
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Packages
      7. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      8. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
      3. Accessibility
      4. Downtown
      5. Getting Here
      6. Greater Region
      7. Guide
      8. Stories
      9. Seasons
      10. Spring
      11. Summer
      12. Fall
      13. Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
      2. See all
      3. Live Here
      4. Meet the Locals
      5. Real Estate
      6. Town of Harrietstown
      7. Town of North Elba
      8. Town of St. Armand
      9. Village of Saranac Lake
      10. Do Business Here
      11. Chamber Job Board
      12. Essex County IDA
      13. Franklin County Economic Development Co.
      14. Professional Services
      15. Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      16. Community Initiatives
      17. Arts & Culture Master Plan
      18. Downtown Revitalization Initiative
      19. Saranac Lake Brand
      20. Village Community Development Department

5 Reasons to go Birding in Saranac Lake

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!

Janelle Jones

August 20, 2021

Share

As an avid birder and board member for Northern New York Audubon, it’s safe to say that I’m always on the lookout for birds. I used to have my home office set up with my desk facing Lake Flower so I could watch for ducks, loons, eagles, and gulls. It wasn’t at all distracting. Even when I’m not actively (or passively) observing birds, I get text messages asking if I can identify something someone saw somewhere. In addition to casual lakeside birding and electronic ID’ing, my favorite region to go birding is in the Saranac Lake. Why? I could list a million reasons, but here are the top five reasons why I think you should make Saranac Lake your next birding destination!

A group of three people searching for birds with binoculars.

1. Every season is different

Between the warmth of summer and snow of winter, the seasonal changes bring a shift in species. In spring and summer, warblers galore can be seen and heard. Northern Parulas trill in the forests and Yellow-rumped Warblers join the chorus. In cooler months, warblers are replaced with Common Redpolls, American Tree Sparrows, and White-winged Crossbills. In fall, large rafts of migrating ducks can be seen from the Lake Colby Causeway. Of course, there are resident species found year-round, but the seasonal diversity is so great it’s worth at least four trips a year!

A mamma duck and 6 ducklings moving through the water and pickerelweed.

2. There is a variety of unique habitats

Part of the reason there is such a diversity of birds in the Saranac Lake area is the diversity of habitats. There are open lakes, marshes, bogs, boreal forests, streams, mixed hardwood stands, and even alpine areas in the neighboring High Peaks. You can go from seeing Pileated Woodpeckers in The Pines to seeing a migrating Brant on Lower Saranac Lake in one day! Black-capped Chickadees are abundant throughout the Adirondacks, and can be found almost anywhere, but what about Canada Jays? These friendly and curious birds can be found in the boreal forests and bogs that line the roads in Bloomingdale and Vermontville. The Canada Jay range is much more limited than that of the Black-capped Chickadees, but their presence in the Saranac Lake area means you can check a boreal species off your life list while exploring a habitat that is traditionally found further north.

A grey Canada Jay is perched in a conifer tree.

One place to visit an array of habitats is the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC). Pine Siskins, Hermit Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireos, Palm Warblers, American Woodcock, Northern Harriers, and Saw-whet Owls can all be found at the VIC. The VIC is a great place to go birding for everybody; there are accessible trails and outlooks creating opportunities to scan vast marshes for wildlife or explore woodlands.

A man in a wheelchair observes natures from an accessible platform at the Paul Smith's College VIC.

3. You can give back to the birds

Right in downtown Saranac Lake is the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. Their mission? To promote the conservation of Common Loons and inspire a passion for these amazing birds. The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation has a new “nest” at 75 Main Street, so be sure to stop by for some loon-themed gifts or to learn more about what is being done for loons in the Adirondacks. Northern New York Audubon, a local non-profit, is also based in Saranac Lake. This Audubon chapter works tirelessly to promote conservation of birds, habitat, and wildlife in all of Northern New York.

A black and white Common Loon floats in the blue water.

We, as humans, have the opportunity to give back to the birds, but the birds of Saranac Lake also provide inspiration for artists. You can visit many art galleries around town and find photographs, paintings, and woodcarvings featuring birds! There's also Third Thursday Art Walks in town and the Adirondack Plein Air Festival. While these events are not limited to bird-related art, our avian friends certainly make an appearance! 

A wooden Black-capped Chickadee on display at an art event.

4. It’s easy to combine birding with other outdoor activities

Saranac Lake is an outdoor recreationists paradise. There are miles and miles of hiking trails, endless waterways to canoe, and winding roads prime for cycling. Truth be told, none of these activities need to be singular. It feels wrong to use the phrase “two birds, one stone,” but birding can easily be combined with other activities. Want to kayak and look for birds? Check out Barnum Pond in the spring to see Ring-necked Ducks. Just looking for a quiet stroll? Hey, there are birds downtown, too (especially Cedar Waxwings in the ornamental fruit trees in Berkeley Green). Ride your road bike on Norman Ridge Road and find Savannah Sparrows or Bobolinks in the fields and grasses. Birding is the act of enjoying wild birds, so it can be done anywhere, anytime, coupled with any activity!

A brown female Bobolink sits on a fence post with a grassy field in the background.

5. Iconic species are found here!

The last, but certainly not least, reason you should go birding in Saranac Lake is that this area is home to two iconic species that truly embody Adirondack wildness. I’m talking about Common Loons and Bald Eagles. Once rarer in these parts, both species have now come back to leave a truly Adirondack mark on the landscape. If you’re new to birding or even if you are a seasoned expert, seeing these two species is always the highlight of a trip. Common Loons are warm weather residents: they arrive when the ice goes out each spring and leave the Adirondacks as the chill of fall sets in. As avian pescatarians, Bald Eagles can remain around Saranac Lake throughout the winter, but will likely leave for open water where they can catch fish. 

An adult Bald Eagle with a white head and brown body sitting in a pine tree.

A great spot to view Common Loons is at James A. Latour Picnic & Recreation Area, which overlooks Lake Colby. Bald Eagles have been seen here as well. For a more wilderness setting, head into the St. Regis Canoe Area, where motors are not allowed, affording you unparalleled opportunities to see and hear birds, especially loons and eagles.

Birds of a feather

If you need other reasons to go birding in Saranac Lake, here are two more: Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. Together, the Tri-Lakes form a wonderful trifecta of birding opportunities. With Saranac Lake as your basecamp, you can dine, stay, and shop in town, and then head outdoors for a great Adirondack birding adventure.

Share

Packages and Promotions

range

Valid Aug. 1

- Aug. 3

Valid Apr. 1

- May. 31

BikeADK Loves Canada - Weekender

BikeADK

BikeADK

Canadian Residents receive 15% off Registration!

package
Other
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Golf & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Tee off at one of the Adirondacks' historic golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

package
Golf
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Jan. 30

Valid Jan. 21

- Jan. 21

Pet Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Your dog deserves an Adirondack getaway too. Book our pet friendly hotel near Lake Placid welcomes every member of your crew. Book our Pet Package...

package
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Fish & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy a 2-hour fishing session on Lake Flower for two, guided by expert anglers.

package
Activities and Attractions

Valid

-

Valid Apr. 1

- Apr. 1

The Wild Center Family Getaway

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Enjoy 2 adult and 1 child admission tickets to The Wild Center, where nature meets discovery.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Bike & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Explore the beauty of Saranac Lake and the newly developed Adirondack Rail Trail.

package
Activities and Attractions
range

Valid Apr. 1

- Oct. 31

Valid Apr. 15

- Oct. 31

Paddle & Stay

Voco Saranac Lake

Voco Saranac Lake

Escape to the serene beauty of the Adirondacks and immerse yourself in nature as you paddle the tranquil waters of Lake Flower in a kayak, canoe,...

package
Activities and Attractions
Load More
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•All Are Welcome•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES

Success!

You have successfully entered this contest. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for updating your information. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome by subscribing to our newsletter. Be sure to check your inbox for your customized travel inspiration.

Success! Message Sent.

Thanks for being awesome. We have received your message and look forward to talking with you soon.

Thank you!

Thanks for being awesome. You can now download the guide.

Thank you!

You have successfully completed the Snowmobile Map Request form. You should receive a physical copy by mail in 1-2 weeks.

Share to: