Skip to main content
BOOK YOUR TRIP
  • SEE & DO
    • Arts
    • Attractions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Music
    • Shopping
      • Online Shopping
    • Downtown
    • Greater Region
    • Summer Getaway
    • Winter Travel
  • Outdoors
    • Cold Weather
      • Cross-Country Skiing
      • Downhill Skiing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
    • Warm Weather
      • Birding
      • Boating
      • Cycling
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Mt Biking
      • Paddling
    • Adirondack Guides & Tours
    • Parks & Trails
    • Hiking
    • Saranac Lake 6er
    • St. Regis Canoe Area
  • EAT & DRINK
    • Craft Beer and Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • EVENTS
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Winter Carnival
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • Celebrate Paddling Adk
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Plein Air Festival
  • STAY
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Vacation Rentals
    • Camping
  • Stories
  • Living Here
    • Fall Foliage Report
    • Getting Here
    • History of Saranac Lake
    • News
    • Professional Services
    • Real Estate
    • Saranac Lake Initiatives
      • Downtown Revitalization Grant
      • Arts and Culture Master Plan
    • Saranac Lake Brand
    • Weddings
Birding From Home
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
  • Previous Article
  • Next Article
Adirondogs!
Earth Day paddling tips
Apr
01
2020

While us humans may be limited in our traveling right now, one group of travelers will be arriving in the Saranac Lake area soon — the birds. 

Common species

Springtime brings to mind certain bird-related events, even for people who would in no way consider themselves birders. The flocks of geese flying overhead, the first robin of the year in the yard, the flocks of ducks on ponds and lakes that have begun to lose ice.

There are some species of birds that call the Adirondacks home year-round, but in spring we expect the arrival of songbirds like the red-winged blackbird and the banging away of woodpeckers like the yellow-bellied sapsucker. These of course will be accompanied by waterfowl of all sorts, colorful sparrows, the fascinating American woodcock, and show-stoppers like cedar waxwings.

Some species that spend the winter in the Adirondacks will also become more commonly seen as the snow melts, such as wild turkeys, woodpeckers, and owls.

 

Springtime

This may seem a little counterintuitive, but spring — just as the southern birds make their way back to the Adirondacks — is the time to take down bird feeders. With the onset of warmer weather comes avians’ natural food sources such as seeds and insects, so feeders aren’t really needed anymore. There’s also some safety considerations to removing feeders in the spring as well.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation encourages everyone to take certain steps each spring as bears and other ravenous animals start to wake up from their winter slumber and move around. One of those steps is to take down bird feeders, since hungry bears, raccoons, and other mammals will absolutely destroy a feeder full of seed. And even worse, getting an easy meal makes it more likely they’ll come back for more.

But this doesn’t mean that you’re done for the year! There are a number of steps one can take to keep birds around even if the feeder is gone, but first, you’ll want to wash your feeders before putting them away. This prevents the spread of diseases and will prevent growth of fungi or other nastiness that you don’t want come fall when the feeders go back up.

Second, bird feeders can be replaced by a bird bath, which provides much-needed clean water to not only birds but important pollinators such as bees as well. Just be sure to change the water daily so it doesn’t become a mosquito breeding ground.

Third, you can still feed birds during the summer even without a feeder! By doing a little research, you can find types of bushes that will keep birds full with their berries. In the Adirondacks, sunflowers, milk weed, and oak trees are all valuable food sources for native birds. The Audubon Society has some great information on bird-friendly planting no matter where you live.

And of course, there’s the classic little red flower feeder for hummingbirds that can hang at the edge of the porch. Just be sure to clean it regularly as the sugar in the water will make lots of nastiness grow and only use water and sugar — no dyed liquids!

 

DEC bird watchers

The state DEC recently embarked on an ambitious plan to update its breeding bird atlas, which documents which species of bird live in which parts of the state. This is a massive undertaking as New York state is incredibly large, so the department is asking citizens to help.

By creating a free eBird account here, citizens can help contribute their sightings and knowledge to this important effort.

  • Log in to post comments
Author:Justin Levine
Categories:Birding, spring
  • Previous Article
  • Next Article
Adirondogs!
Earth Day paddling tips

Newsletter Signup

Upcoming Events

Adirondack Artists Guild Juried Show – ONLINE
Monday, April 19th, 2021
The Adirondack Artists Guild, a co-op gallery in Saranac Lake, NY, is hosting their 23rd annual juried show as an online exhibit only. Artists from around the country have submitted digital images...
Critter Hunt
Monday, April 19th, 2021
The Saranac Lake Rotary presents Critter Hunt. Looking for a fun, safe, and socially distanced activity with the family? Join the Saranac Lake Rotary Club in the Critter Hunt around the Village of...
  • Load more

Recent Blog Posts...

Treat Yourself, Spring ADK Edition
Friday, April 2nd, 2021
Self-care is earning a very good name for itself, and even when visiting the Adirondacks, no one is immune to the necessity of such a rich practice. Whether it be a yoga class, an outdoor adventure...
The Gift of the Maple Tree
Friday, February 26th, 2021
If you ask me, the maple tree is rather wonderful. In fall, the astonishing change of color from vivid green leaves to shades of yellow, red, and orange light up the Adirondacks to the awe of...
  • Load more
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
Enter to Win Sample Saranac Lake with this getaway package. Enter now!
Learn More
Connect with us...
e-newsletter sign-up...
Travel Questions?
(518) 891-1990
Saranac Lake Welcome Center
39 Main Street
Contact Us • Privacy Policy
Powered by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism