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

Boreal Birds and Northern Finches!

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
Alan Belford
March 21, 2018

Blue Skies and a Day of Birding

With a beautiful blue winter sky above us, my brother, nephew, and I set out the other day to enjoy some boreal birding in the Bloomingdale Bog Complex north of Saranac Lake. The afternoon was forecast to turn rainy (ugh) anyway, so we wanted to enjoy the snow and winter before that happened. And for those of us who aren't yet ready for spring, this is the Adirondacks, I’m sure that even as I write, our weather will get cold and again and more snow will be coming.

Stubborn Canada Jays

We began our day in Bloomingdale Bog, where we walked south through the bog from Route 55. Pine Siskins called and chattered in the trees and from above as we went, and the usual contingent of Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches at the bird feeders near the power lines were joined by a small group of Dark-eyed Juncos. I also heard a lone Red Crossbill call from overhead – we had great looks at a few Red Crossbills the previous day in the Keene Valley.

A group of three Canada Jays showed up at the feeder as we arrived – they were clearly waiting for a handout – and my nephew set to work trying to lure them to his hand for some raisins. But the jays – although quite cooperative for photos – would only take the food which my nephew had dropped in the snow or placed in the feeder tray. We eventually moved on along the path, and I swear the jays snickered in triumph at my nephew from the trees.

He had the same experience with two more Canada Jays further down the trail, after we had walked about a mile south in search of boreal birds and had started back for the parking area. And the same three jays at the feeders were equally as stubborn on our return trip – they had evidently been feeding well and perhaps our unseasonably warm weather wasn’t pushing them to take such potential risks as coming to someone’s hand.

Boreal Chickadees and White-winged Crossbills

Once back at the car we turned for Oregon Plains Road, hoping to hear some crossbills or the resident boreal birds while the ubiquitous Pine Siskins seemed to be calling overhead everywhere all day. As we approached the crest of the low hill that reaches Muzzy Road, we stopped for some Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches, hoping something else might be in the neighborhood.

We were in luck. Two Boreal Chickadees flew in to a bare tree, showing off their warm, brown flanks and brown cap in the bright sunlight before they flew into the nearby conifers to the tune of their nasal Che-che-day-day calls. And they didn’t simply disappear either - they hung out near us for several more minutes, offering us a great chance to observe them. We finally turned south to park at the junction of Oregon Plains Road and Bigelow Road.

Bigelow Road was initially quite quiet as we walked – even the chickadees seemed to be avoiding it – and we busied ourselves with the multitude of snowshoe hare tracks along the way. But things became much more exciting when we heard a singing White-winged Crossbill, and we watched both the male and female crossbills first fly overhead and then perch high in the spruces and firs to dine on cones which they pulled off the branches to make it easier to access the seeds. They eventually flew out of sight as a Common Raven croaked overhead. We continued on toward the Bloomingdale Bog Trail, turning around after a little over a mile.

The walk back was marked by a flyover Red Crossbill (we never got a great look of one that day, but couldn’t complain given our excellent looks on the previous day) and two Canada Jays which seemed keenly interested in us.

Without the distraction of the food at the bird feeders on the bog trail, my nephew tried to feed them again, and on this occasion the jays obliged him my landing on this outstretched hand for some raisins. His goals for the day accomplished, we walked the rest of the way out.

A Black-backed Woodpecker...Finally!

But we still hadn’t found a Black-backed Woodpecker on this day, so with the clouds rapidly filling the sky above which occasionally spit on us, we drove to the power line trail reached at the end of Bert La Fountain Road in Gabriels. The first several hundred meters of the route cuts through nice boreal habitat, and with fortune seemingly on our side all day, we heard the distinctive squeaky call of a Black-backed Woodpecker after a short walk. We soon could see the female bird and her jet black back and crown on the top of a dead snag through a window in the nearby spruces and firs, and she soon flew in closer to a nearby snag where we watched her for a while before she flew off. We returned to the car with an entire suite of boreal birds for the day, and headed off as the rain began to pick up.

As the weather in the Saranac Lake Region continues to ping-pong between winter and spring the birding remains great – with crossbills and other winter finches, and our resident boreal birds. Plan your winter or spring trip today and check out our lodging and dining pages to help you round out your trip!

Related Stories

On Peaceful Waters
Spring Revival
5 Reasons to go Birding in Saranac Lake
Three Options for Trail Running
Birding From Home
Saranac Lake Adventure Travel
Decidedly Different Saranac Lake
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 Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
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!
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!
Boreal Birds and Northern Finches!
On the Quest for the Tallest Tree
Maple with a Past
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
McKenzie Road Bouldering
Not just a walk in the park
Birding in Madawaska
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
Maple, sweetener of the future!
Counting Birds in the Olympic Region
Finding Birds on the Saranac Lake Christmas Bird Count
Enjoying Late Fall Cold Fronts And Their Migrants
Great Fall Birding!
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
A Ride That Takes You Off The Beaten Path
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
Gray Jays!
2015 Most Popular Blogs
Excellent October Birding!
Paddling and Hiking Around Little Green Pond
Fall Warblers and Other Migrants!
Paddling and Birding Around Jones Pond
Paddling Middle Pond
Paddling in the Adirondacks for the First Time!
Hiking with the Crew up Baker Mountain
A Wonderful Wellness Weekend
Great Birding at Intervale Lowlands - It's that Time of Year!
Finding Lots of Birds Just by Taking a Simple Walk
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
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
Winter Birding with Signs of Spring
Winter Birding: Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths
Memorable Firsts: Carnival & Cross-Country Skis
Wedding planning with the pros
Two sides of the Trifecta
Enjoying Winter Birding
59th Saranac Lake Christmas Bird Count
Four Seasons of High Points
Fly our Adirondack skies
Searching for Boreal Birds
The First Ski of the Season!
Birding Along Lake Colby
The Horse Knows The Way
A Red Phalarope at Little Clear Pond!
Searching for Fall Warblers and Other Songbirds
Paddling Little Clear Pond
3 Short Paddles found in the St. Regis Canoe Area
Paddling Lake Clear Outlet
Hiking and Exploring Azure Mountain
A Great Place to Break Down
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
Roadside Gems, Paddling the Saranac Lake Region
5 Hidden Gems for Hiking, Paddling & Trail Running
Ducks and Otters at Lake Colby
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