Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
      • 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
      • See all
      • Hiking
        • See all
        • 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
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Accessibility
      • Downtown
      • Getting Here
      • Greater Region
      • Stories
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
  • Local
    • Local title-header
      • Live Here
        • See all
        • Meet the Locals
        • Real Estate
        • Town of Harrietstown
        • Town of North Elba
        • Town of St. Armand
        • Village of Saranac Lake
      • Do Business Here
        • See all
        • Chamber Job Board
        • Essex County IDA
        • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
        • Professional Services
        • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Initiatives
        • See all
        • Arts & Culture Master Plan
        • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
        • Saranac Lake Brand
        • Village Community Development Department
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
        3. Accessibility
        4. Arts
        5. Attractions
        6. Downtown
        7. Health & Wellness
        8. History
        9. Live Music
        10. Parks
        11. Shopping
        12. Stories
        13. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Hiking
          • See all
          • Nature Walks
        3. ADK Guides & Tours
        4. Birding
        5. Boating
        6. Camping
        7. Cross-Country Skiing
        8. Cycling
        9. Downhill Skiing
        10. Fishing
        11. Golfing
        12. Ice Fishing
        13. Mountain Biking
        14. Paddling
        15. Snowmobiling
        16. 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. Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
      4. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      5. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      6. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      7. First Night Saranac Lake
      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. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      7. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Accessibility
        3. Downtown
        4. Getting Here
        5. Greater Region
        6. Stories
        7. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
        1. Live Here
          • See all
          • Meet the Locals
          • Real Estate
          • Town of Harrietstown
          • Town of North Elba
          • Town of St. Armand
          • Village of Saranac Lake
        2. Do Business Here
          • See all
          • Chamber Job Board
          • Essex County IDA
          • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
          • Professional Services
          • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
        3. Community Initiatives
          • See all
          • Arts & Culture Master Plan
          • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
          • Saranac Lake Brand
          • Village Community Development Department

Winter Birding with Signs of Spring

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
Alan Belford
March 14, 2015

Cold Weather Birding

Winter birding in Saranac Lake and the rest of the Adirondacks often revolves around finding resident boreal species – not a bad consolation for a cold walk. And so, Wren and I have been out throughout the winter to find species like Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, and Boreal Chickadee. The past month has also brought Bohemian Waxwings – a winter specialty – from the north, and a couple days ago I saw a flock of perhaps 50 feeding on the fruit trees in front of Pizza Hut in Saranac Lake.

But as the calendar advances through March and the days lengthen, winter birding begins to change subtly. It is still early for many new arrivals to come into the region – although they are coming soon – and my skis and I are happy that winter still firmly holds the region. But softening snow and ice and warmer temps often first show themselves in the birds which have remained with us all winter. Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Cardinals sing each morning as I take Wren out. White-breasted Nuthatches join them, adding their laughter song to the quiet mornings – the song my friend calls the sound of melting snow.

Bohemian Waxwing - Larry
Bohemian Waxwing - Larry

Walking at Lake Colby on a Warm Morning 

This morning’s warm temperatures (thankfully without rain) brought with them a sense of spring and Wren and I were soon walking the railroad tracks along Lake Colby. Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers called and drummed on trees – a sign that the territoriality which accompanies nesting isn’t far behind. Black-capped Chickadees called and one of those White-breasted Nuthatches offered a laugh for the oncoming warmth. I’m not ready for winter and skiing to end (and they are certainly not finished yet!), but it is nice to hear the change in the birds around us.

Wren and I walked down along the lake and I inspected the light dusting of snow for animal tracks. A few days earlier we had seen a Mink run across the trail in front of us and I quickly found a few sets of fresh mink tracks left behind as it foraged along the wetland boundary. The lake itself was quiet – frozen solid – with a few ice fishermen taking advantage of the warm weather. A second Pileated Woodpecker called from the far side of the tracks and as we approached it we heard an odd series of calls which sounded a bit like a Wild Turkey. Unconvinced of this initial conclusion, I made a few Barred Owl calls to trigger a response from whatever was in the woods, and out popped a Common Raven.

Ravens make a lot of strange vocalizations, but the bird sat quietly searching for the unseen owl. I began to wonder if they were setting up nest along the lake which would explain the odd calls. Winter or not, ravens generally begin nesting on the early side, but this bird eventually disappeared over the rise of a hill and didn’t reveal its hand.

Common Raven - Larry
Common Raven - Larry

The Beginning of Nesting Activity

Wren and I moved on, finding more Mink tracks as well as those of Snowshoe Hare, but we found little else in the icy world and we eventually turned to walk back to the car. As we crossed the tracks along the lake a Bald Eagle called loudly from the vicinity of the eagle nest which sits tucked in a row of white pines. Scanning with my binoculars I found it sitting almost directly next to the nest. It is getting close to time for them to start thinking about nesting too. As I stood there I heard the odd series of calls again which I had heard earlier on the walk and I turned to watch a Common Raven fly over the bog mat calling as it carried a beak full of nesting material towards the woods. Clearly they are planning to nest in the neighborhood. As I followed the raven with my binoculars I happened upon a second Bald Eagle sitting in the trees across the lake. I don’t know if it was potentially paired with the eagle near the nest, but there is always the chance.

Wren and I completed our walk with a drumming Pileated Woodpecker and a calling Brown Creeper. The list of species may not be as long as it will be in May, but subtle changes of spring mark this time of year as winter loosens its grip on the landscape little by little.

With spring and summer coming, birders may want to plan a trip to the region and can look for lodging and dining options as they do so.

Bohemian Waxwing - Larry
Bohemian Waxwing - Larry
Common Raven - Larry
Common Raven - Larry

Related Stories

5 Reasons to go Birding in Saranac Lake
Ampersand in Winter
A Winter Hike Up Haystack
Birding From Home
From the Adirondacks to the Olympics and Back
Ice Fishing in Saranac Lake
Dip into Winter on the Jackrabbit
Getting Back to Nature
Sweet Indulgences - Saranac Lake's Coffee Hotspots
'Tis the Season
Five Ideas for Winter Family Fun
Saranac Lake Adventure Travel
Decidedly Different Saranac Lake
Three Great Birding Sites within Three Minutes of Town
Finding Fun and Snowfleas at the VIC
A Day of Winter Indulgence
An Artist's Haven
Hardwater fishing, decidedly different!
Lodging to Fit Your Winter Travel Style
Finding Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
Cross-Country Ski The Jackrabbit Trail
Skiing from Placid to Saranac Lake
6 Must See Winter Carnival Events
Mt Pisgah: Local and Loved Ski Hill
First Day on the Bog
Saranac Lake's Snowshoe Centers
Snowshoeing at the VIC
A Quintessential Holiday Experience
Saranac Lake Winter Fashion
A century of playing in the snow
5 Paths to Winter Adventure in Saranac Lake
A Jones Pond Paddle
A Paddle (and Birding!) on Lake Clear Outlet
Exploring Dexter Marsh and Santa Clara Flow
Hiking and Birding in Bloomingdale Bog
Two Ways of Exploring the Natural World at the VIC
The VIC: it's luxury hiking!
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration!
Rejoice!! May Birding is Here!!
The Excitement of Early Spring Birding!
WINTER IS COOL
Boreal Birds and Northern Finches!
So Much Snow! And Some Great March Skiing!
Let's Glide - Enjoy Fish Creek Park!
A Beautiful Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail
Top 5 tips for fishing on Lake Colby
Family Ski at Dewey
Canoodlers and Lawn Chair Ladies
Top Reasons to Visit Saranac Lake This February
Woods and Waters Trail, a great ski!
A Holiday Ski!
First Skis of the Season!
Downtown Holiday Shopping Guide
Getting First Night Ready
Paddling Jones Pond in the Fall
A Fall Hike Up Mount Baker
A Fall Paddle on Little Green Pond
Fall Migration is in High Gear!
4 Go-To Paddling Destinations for Fall Foliage
An Evening Paddle on Middle Pond
Crossbills and Boreal Birds
Paddling and Birding along Quebec Brook
Birding in Madawaska
Sprung!
Skiing and Exploring the Jackrabbit Trail
Big Snow!!!!!
A Great Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail!
Dewey Mountain - Just Wild Enough
Treat Your Valentine With An Unforgettable Experience
Get out and snowshoe!
Ice Fishing First-Timer
Winter Carnival Invention: Arctic Golf
Counting Birds in the Olympic Region
Finding Birds on the Saranac Lake Christmas Bird Count
2016 Most Popular Blogs
We can dash through the snow
If self-care is naughty, I don't want to be nice
Get it together — First Night Saranac Lake
Make Holiday Memories at Moody Farm
Cross Country Skiing in Lake Clear
Early-Winter Skiing!
Enjoying Late Fall Cold Fronts And Their Migrants
A tree for the whole family
Great Fall Birding!
The thrill of snowmobiling
A Fall Paddle On Lake Clear Outlet
The Possibilities Of Fall Birding
Searching for Philadelphia Vireo and other species
A Rainy Day Birding Trip in Madawaska
Early Spring Birding!
Wonderful Weddings in Cool Places
Springing!
Our Winter Waxwing
Cross-Country Skiing on the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
Yeah, we're cool - no matter what we're wearing!
Jones Hill and Blue Hill, a mighty duo
Gray Jays!
Snowshoeing: day to learn, lifetime of fun!
Fun with Ice: Saranac Lake Creativity
2015 Most Popular Blogs
First thing's first: An insider's guide to First Night Saranac Lake
Dewey Mountain Recreation Area: A Great Place to Enjoy Winter!
Winter Events You Won't Want To Miss
Trotting for Turkeys
Select seven: Family hikes under four hours
Dewey Mountain - satisfy that snow craving
Tubing: the sport to please the masses
Timeless Tubing at Mount Pisgah
Excellent October Birding!
Brighton: Dusk 'til Dawn
Paddling and Hiking Around Little Green Pond
Fall Warblers and Other Migrants!
Paddling and Birding Around Jones Pond
Paddling Middle Pond
Great Birding at Intervale Lowlands - It's that Time of Year!
Finding Lots of Birds Just by Taking a Simple Walk
Coming Home to Saranac Lake
Great Birding and Loads of Warblers in Madawaska!
Early May Wildflowers: A Kaleidoscope of Color
Learning to Love Every Season
Exciting Beginnings of Spring Migration!
In Defense of Mud Season
Skiing in April and on Easter - No Foolin'!
Boreal Birding In and Around Town
The Joy of Spring Skiing
Winter Birding with Signs of Spring
Adirondack Cure for Cabin Fever
Jackrabbit Trail: Lake Placid to Keene
Jackrabbit Trail - Day 2: McKenzie Pond to Lake Placid Pub & Brewery
Winter Birding: Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths
An evening snowboard session at Mt. Pisgah
Jackrabbit Trail: Paul Smiths to McKenzie Pond Road
Newbie Skier Tackles Titus
Memorable Firsts: Carnival & Cross-Country Skis
Friendly Snowshoe Up Baldface Mountain
Skiing the Fish Pond Trail
Wedding planning with the pros
Two sides of the Trifecta
Get ready to jam at Winter Carnival
Enjoying Winter Birding
A Winter Hike into the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area
Nordic Skiing - Five Great Places
A Century of Ice Palaces
Adirondack Traditions, then and now
Enjoying White Snow to Take Away the Winter Blues
59th Saranac Lake Christmas Bird Count
An Evening Sleigh Ride in the Adirondacks
An Adirondack You for 2015
Race, jam, dance and more in January
A Winter's Hike up Baker Mountain
Four Seasons of High Points
Hiking & Tracking Wildlife on Scarface Mountain
Extreme Ice Fishing
Skiing - and Falling - in a Winter Wonderland
Early Season Cross-Country Ski Destinations
Fly our Adirondack skies
Searching for Boreal Birds
St. Regis Canoe Area - An Interesting Ski Tour
Where to find hot beverages
The First Ski of the Season!
A picture's worth a thousand words - epic winter events
Birding Along Lake Colby
A Guide to the Great Indoors
New fun at Titus Mountain Ski Area
The Horse Knows The Way
Mount Pisgah getting ready for winter ski season
A Red Phalarope at Little Clear Pond!
Searching for Fall Warblers and Other Songbirds
3 Short Paddles found in the St. Regis Canoe Area
A Great Place to Break Down
Birding at the Spring Pond Bog
“One Particular Island” all to ourselves
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
Spring Paddling on Lake Colby
Warblers Aplenty at Massawepie Mire
Roadside Gems, Paddling the Saranac Lake Region
5 Hidden Gems for Hiking, Paddling & Trail Running
VIC music sweetens a ski Sunday
Skiing Upper Saranac Lake Loops
Winter Foodie Scene
Thursday Night Music Jam
Paul Smith Visitors Interpretive Center
Night Skiing at Mt. Pisgah
Mid-Winter Events 2014
Winter Carnival means live music
Top Five Winter Break Activities
Best Ice Fishing Holes
Building the Ice Palace
Tubing Adventures at Mt. Pisgah
Skiing Before the Melt
Basics for Ice Fishing Gear
First Time Ice Fishing
Slip Sliding Away Winter Hiking
Silent Night
Snowshoe Shopping
Lost and Found
New Years Eve Saranac Lake NY
Short & scenic hikes
Mount Arab
Winter Family Events
First Ski of the Season!
Less than two weeks to Sparkle Village Craft Fair!
Debar Mountain and Black Peak
Ducks and Otters at Lake Colby
Saranac Lake Art Attraction Nov 22 - Dec 28, 2013
Muskrats!
Goodman Mountain
Ducks on the Pond
Fall at the VIC
Panther Trifecta
A Fall Paddle on Jones Pond
Sparrows Along Lake Colby
A Hike Up Panther Mountain
Bloomingdale Bog Birds
Late Summer Yard Birds
Lows Lower Dam to Lows Ridge, A surf and Turf Adventure
The Osgood's
A Birding Trip in Madawaska
Take A Swim!
Hiking and Birding on Baker Mountain
A Birding Trip to Bloomingdale Bog
Blog on Bogs
Searching for Spruce Grouse
Camping in the rain - better known as "damping"
Paddling and Fishing the Colby’s
Birding in Spring Pond Bog
Hiking and Birding on the Jackrabbit Trail
Birding in Massawepie Mire
Lower Saranac Lake Path
Long Pond to Pink Pond's
Little Clear Pond and Grass Pond, a Canoeing experience
The Kettle Trail
Hiking from the North End of the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
Night Birding in Madawaska
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•DEI•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