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

Early Spring Birding!

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
Alan Belford
April 26, 2016

Spring Temperature Fluctuations

Spring seemed to come in a hurry to the Tri-Lakes Region this year. It had already been a tough year for cross-country skiing, and I had to put my skis away for good in March. The last two years I skied into the middle of April. But open water on the lakes and warm temps meant I could find ducks moving through and stopping over on places like

Lake Colby in Saranac Lake. Add to the open water a sudden drop in temperature and the scenario was right for a variety of ducks to be huddled in the coves along the backside of the lake – waiting for the weather to once again turn towards spring so they could continue their migration north.

I was happy with the cold spell and Wren and I could be found at Colby most days counting Ring-necked Ducks (my high count was 36 one day), Bufflehead, Mallards, and both Common and Hooded Mergansers. Pied-billed Grebes also began showing up and I watched the Bald Eagles on their nest or soaring overhead each day. The neighboring forests were loaded with Pine Siskins as they have been all winter, but in recent weeks I’ve found flocks of 400-500 birds. That was a lot of chatter as the birds flitted and called from all over the place along the beginning of the hike!

Pied-billed Grebe - Larry
Pied-billed Grebe - Larry

Arriving Songbirds

Once the spring did finally beat back winter for a spell, duck numbers began to slow with just a trickle of birds remaining. They have now been replaced by arriving forest species, keeping the birding interesting. Brown Creepers have been singing for a couple months, but the last few weeks have seen an increase in song from multiple males along the railroad tracks. Woodpeckers are likewise drumming their dominance over their territories and I’ve been seeing quite a few Northern Flickers – recently arrived – in the past week. I’ve also seen flickers each time I’ve explored along River Road and the area around Intervale Lowlands in Lake Placid, where a week ago I also found migrating Northern Harriers, my first American Bittern of the new season, and a newly arrived Broad-winged Hawk.

American Bittern
American Bittern

Uncharacteristic of many springs, I haven’t found the volume of sparrows along River Road that I sometimes do, but I have been getting plenty of sparrows in my yard. I also keep a few White-throated Sparrows through the winter and I’ve gained a few recently, but it is my Dark-eyed Junco numbers that are most indicative that spring is sweeping across the region. The ringing songs of juncos have been filling the April air each day and at times it appears the ground in my yard is moving as they hop and scratch for food. Of even more interest to me are the Fox Sparrows which join them each year, and for a few days this week they were accompanied by an Eastern Towhee – a bird which can be tricky to find in the center of the park.

Spring Birds on a Chilly Morning Walk

My walk along Lake Colby this morning with Wren was chillier than it has been of late with our continued April temperature fluctuations, but we still found a number of spring birds. These included Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers, a Swamp Sparrow, and a pair of Common Loons – a species which always nests on the backside of the lake. We also found a Red-tailed Hawk which was hanging out along the bog mat along the railroad tracks. Red-tailed Hawks are not particularly common in the center of the Adirondacks – being found more likely in the fields of the valleys. Our walk was topped off with a few flyover Red Crossbills – perhaps breeding in the neighborhood.

Red Crossbill - Larry
Red Crossbill - Larry

The shifting assortment of birds makes April an interesting month to bird in the region – and a time when we sometimes come across regionally uncommon species. It is also just a taste of what is coming in May – when the sky opens and it begins to rain warblers. So despite a chilly day today, we all know that it is going to be fun.

Plan your spring birding trip today! Check out our lodging, dining, and outdoor recreation pages to learn more! 

Pied-billed Grebe - Larry
Pied-billed Grebe - Larry
American Bittern
American Bittern
Red Crossbill - Larry
Red Crossbill - Larry

Related Stories

On Peaceful Waters
Spring Revival
Get Up and Get Down(town)
5 Reasons to go Birding in Saranac Lake
Three Options for Trail Running
It's Snowmobile Season
Birding From Home
Five Ideas for Winter Family Fun
Saranac Lake Adventure Travel
Three Fantastic Fall Hikes in Saranac Lake
Norman Ridge Ride
A Decidedly Different Fall Day in Saranac Lake
Lake Kushaqua, A Beautiful Place to Rest
Fall Fun in Saranac Lake
Mt. Pisgah: The Adirondacks’ Finest Uphill Bike Park
Decidedly Different Saranac Lake
Gravel biking at Kushaqua
Paddling Middle to Lower Saranac Lake
Cycling Loops in Saranac Lake
Three Great Birding Sites within Three Minutes of Town
Sixty Degrees in April
Finding Fun and Snowfleas at the VIC
Cross-Country Ski The Jackrabbit Trail
Finding Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
Skiing from Placid to Saranac Lake
First Day on the Bog
Saranac Lake's Snowshoe Centers
Snowshoeing at the VIC
The VIC's Black Pond Loop
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
Rebuilding a Whitewater Park
Extreme Art: Painting Inside the Blue Line
Our Five Favorite Swimming Holes
Two Ways of Exploring the Natural World at the VIC
The VIC: It's Luxury Hiking!
Get down! The best low-elevation hikes in Saranac Lake
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration!
Rejoice!! May Birding is Here!!
Adirondack Fish Hatchery Experience
Three of Saranac Lake's Best Paddling Routes
First Paddle of the Season down the Saranac River
The Excitement of Early Spring Birding!
Family Paddling Day: Planned for You
WINTER IS COOL
Boreal Birds and Northern Finches!
On the Quest for the Tallest Tree
So Much Snow! And Some Great March Skiing!
Let's Glide - Enjoy Fish Creek Park!
Maple with a Past
Top 5 tips for fishing on Lake Colby
Woods and Waters Trail, a great ski!
A Holiday Ski!
First Skis of the Season!
Get Acclimated!
Feeling Grateful
Detours are great!
Paddling Jones Pond in the Fall
A Fall Hike Up Mount Baker
An Evening Paddle on Lake Clear Outlet
Azure Mountain Adventure
A Fall Paddle on Little Green Pond
Fall Migration is in High Gear!
Fall Seasons Cold Water Paddling
4 Go-To Paddling Destinations for Fall Foliage
An Evening Paddle on Middle Pond
Crossbills and Boreal Birds
Paddling and Birding along Quebec Brook
McKenzie Road Bouldering
Not just a walk in the park
Birding in Madawaska
Family fun that's free
Sprung!
To get the trout, get the gear
Three hikes to include everyone
Vroom! Daffest Derby creator shares memories
Early Spring Mountain Biking
Slow paddle to Oseetah
Skiing and Exploring the Jackrabbit Trail
Maple, sweetener of the future!
A Great Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail!
Dewey Mountain - Just Wild Enough
Ice Fishing First-Timer
Counting Birds in the Olympic Region
Finding Birds on the Saranac Lake Christmas Bird Count
2016 Most Popular Blogs
Cross Country Skiing in Lake Clear
Enjoying Late Fall Cold Fronts And Their Migrants
Great Fall Birding!
New Road Mountain
A Fall Paddle On Lake Clear Outlet
Don't be afraid of the kayak
The Possibilities Of Fall Birding
A Fall Hike on Baker Mountain
Ampersand: A Family Tradition Realized
Village of Boulders
Zooming Around in the Fall
So many hikes, so little time
Searching for Philadelphia Vireo and other species
Tri to stay dry
Puppy's first mountain climb
A Rainy Day Birding Trip in Madawaska
Coolest Adirondack Chopped Challenge!
A Ride That Takes You Off The Beaten Path
Tucker Farms - three seasons of goodness
Tips for early season recreation
Early Spring Birding!
An "event-full" spring
Wonderful Weddings in Cool Places
Springing!
All things maple, in one weekend!
Spring Ice on the McKenzie Mountain loop
Spring Break in the ADK
Our Winter Waxwing
Cross-Country Skiing on the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
Yeah, we're cool - no matter what we're wearing!
Gray Jays!
Fun with Ice: Saranac Lake Creativity
2015 Most Popular Blogs
Five Great Wilderness Views
Trotting for Turkeys
Select seven: Family hikes under four hours
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
Camping in the Cold (Disclaimer: This is NOT a How-To Guide)
A Cool Adirondack Adventure
Fall Warblers and Other Migrants!
Enjoying Late Summer Wildflowers!
Dog Days of Summer aka Beach Time!
Martha Reben: Staring down the Great White Plague
Seeing if the boot fits: Exploring the Bays
Lake Clear: Our Secret Paradise
Paddling and Birding Around Jones Pond
Paddling Middle Pond
Paddling in the Adirondacks for the First Time!
Hiking with the Crew up Baker Mountain
Riding the Rails, Adirondack style!
Keeping It Local
A Wonderful Wellness Weekend
July is when things heat up!
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!
Saranac Inn, golf with a taste of Scotland
Free Water Park Ride In Our Backyard
Early May Wildflowers: A Kaleidoscope of Color
A Spring Hike Up Baker Mountain
5 reasons we are the Lake Country
Learning to Love Every Season
Exciting Beginnings of Spring Migration!
In Defense of Mud Season
Fun in the Mud
Skiing in April and on Easter - No Foolin'!
Boreal Birding In and Around Town
The Joy of Spring Skiing
Saranac Lake is a dog town
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
Newbie Skier Tackles Titus
Memorable Firsts: Carnival & Cross-Country Skis
Skiing the Fish Pond Trail
Wedding planning with the pros
Two sides of the Trifecta
Enjoying Winter Birding
Adirondack Traditions, then and now
Enjoying White Snow to Take Away the Winter Blues
Wellness Resolutions: Easy does it!
59th Saranac Lake Christmas Bird Count
Four Seasons of High Points
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
The First Ski of the Season!
Birding Along Lake Colby
Saranac Lake Remembers the Great War
New fun at Titus Mountain Ski Area
Doing the Doggie Paddle: Paddling the Adirondacks with your pet!
Learning to Identify Fall Leaves
The Horse Knows The Way
Mount Pisgah getting ready for winter ski season
Paddling and Snorkeling Little Green Pond
A Red Phalarope at Little Clear Pond!
Searching for Fall Warblers and Other Songbirds
Boat Trip Massages: Two Roads to Wellness
Forks, Fests, and Flatwater: 3 Featured Fall events
Paddling Little Clear Pond
3 Short Paddles found in the St. Regis Canoe Area
Paddling Lake Clear Outlet
Hiking and Exploring Azure Mountain
See artists at work in the mountains
An Evening Paddle on Moose Pond
A Great Place to Break Down
The Art Walk is a path to art, music, and fun!
Adirondack Paddling, Choosing the Right Paddle
Adirondack Paddling - Choosing The Right Boat
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
One Magic Canoe: The Seven Carries Canoe Route
Roadside Gems, Paddling the Saranac Lake Region
5 Hidden Gems for Hiking, Paddling & Trail Running
Art Event or Fun Party? BluSeed blurs the line
Our lakes were born for boating
Top 10 Spots for Paddling in Adirondacks
Get Ready For Fishing Season
VIC music sweetens a ski Sunday
Night Skiing at Mt. Pisgah
Mid-Winter Events 2014
Best Ice Fishing Holes
Building the Ice Palace
Silent Night
Snowshoe Shopping
Lost and Found
Short & scenic hikes
Debar Mountain and Black Peak
Ducks and Otters at Lake Colby
Muskrats!
Goodman Mountain
Ducks on the Pond
Saving Einstein
You Don't Paddle Into the Wind
Hiking St. Regis Mountain
Fall at the VIC
Panther Trifecta
A Fall Paddle on Jones Pond
A Fall Hike Up Baker Mountain
Sparrows Along Lake Colby
Going to Church
Visitors in My Yard
A Hike Up Panther Mountain
Where the leaves are on fire with color
The Colors of Late Summer
Bloomingdale Bog Birds
Fifth Annual Hobofest: Music, Food and Fun on the Tracks
Late Summer Yard Birds
Stomping out the Saranac 6 – Week 2 – St. Regis Mountain
FlavorFest at The Wild Center
Lows Lower Dam to Lows Ridge, A surf and Turf Adventure
The Osgood's
A Birding Trip in Madawaska
Black Pond to Bridge Brook Pond – A new trail
Local Family Friendly Swimming Spots
Take A Swim!
Ampersand Mountain
Hiking and Birding on Baker Mountain
Entertaining events will keep you hopping this weekend
A Birding Trip to Bloomingdale Bog
Blog on Bogs
Top 5 Family Friendly Activities in the Saranac Lake Area
Searching for Spruce Grouse
Camping in the rain - better known as "damping"
Safe Guiding Services with High Adventure!
Paddling and Fishing the Colby’s
Follensby Clear Pond to "Round Pond"
Trail Running the Deer Pond Loop
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
The Amphibious Choirs of Spring
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