Adirondack Region

The Adirondack Upland includes peaks over 2,800 feet and provides habitat for sub-alpine birds such as Bicknell’s Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush and Blackpoll Warbler. The upland boreal habitat supports Spruce Grouse, Three-toed and Black-Backed Woodpeckers, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Red and White-winged Crossbills, and other Warblers, Thrushes and Vireos. Lowland boreal forests and bog habitats support a diverse bird community. Look for Spruce Grouse, Pine Siskin, Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Rusty Blackbird, Yellow-bellied and Olive-sided Flycatchers, Palm and Wood Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Lincoln’s Sparrow and Northern Parula.

St. Lawrence River Region

Along the River, you’ll find open water, wetlands, grassy fields, forests and cliffs. An abundance of native and migrating bird species can be seen. It is also a significant wintering area for waterfowl.

Tug Hill Plateau Region

Located south of Watertown, and west of the Black River Valley which separates it from the Adirondack Park. The Tug Hill Plateau—an area known for its abundant lake-effect snow—is a sparsely populated area which rises 1800 to 2000 feet above the lowlands that surround it in all directions. It features vast areas of forested land, fields and numerous rivers and streams.

Lake George/Hudson Region

Pristine water, high forested mountains, cliffs, wetlands and islands. Acres of protected land and habitats for endangered species.

Lake Champlain Region

With a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, shrublands, forests, and open lake, the Champlain Valley plays host to a diverse collection of breeding, wintering, and migrating birds. More than 150 species breed here, including endangered, threatened, and special concern species such as Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Black Tern, Upland Sandpiper, Whip-poor-will, Common Nighthawk, Golden-winged Warbler, Vesper and Grasshopper Sparrows. During the winter, Bald Eagles are fairly common along the shoreline, while large numbers of Common Goldeneye, Common Mergansers, and other waterfowl can be found on the open waters of the lake. Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shrikes and Snow Buntings are all regular winter visitors to area fields. Other winter birds, such as Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls and White-winged Crossbills, are more sporadic but can sometimes be found in large numbers. Lake Champlain is a major migratory pathway for a variety of waterbirds—loons, grebes, ducks, geese, cormorants, gulls, terns and shorebirds—during both spring and fall migration. Fall migration is especially impressive, with huge numbers of Snow Geese and Canada Geese flying south along the Lake and occasionally stopping to rest.

Adirondacks High Peaks Forest Tract

The largest designated Wilderness Area of New York, theHigh Peaks Area includes sub-alpine and alpine habitats with a maximum elevation of 5,344 feet; more than 24 peaks are over 3,500 feet. Marked hiking trails lead to remote lakes, streams, valleys and mountain peaks. Bicknell's Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Spruce Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill. Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Common Loon, American Black Duck, American Bittern, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Woodcock, Wood Thrush, Bay-breasted Warbler, Canada Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Veery, Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Canada Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Purple Finch.

Adirondack Loon Complex

Each lake within this complex has supported over six Common Loons during the breeding season. Lows Lake, Cranberry Lake, Lake Clear, South Lake, Woodhull Lake, Honnedage Lake, Upper St. Regis Lake, Lake Bonaparte, Little Clear Pond, Little Tupper Lake, Canachagala Lake, Little Moose Lake, Bay Pond, Big Moose Lake, Little Long Pond, Long Pond.

Chazy Landing/Kings Bay Area

Located on the shore of Lake Champlain north of Plattsburgh, this site stretches from southwest of the Little Chazy River outlet north to the Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area. Mostly agricultural with many fallow fields. The lake and shore are the prime waterfowl habitat. Including Kings Bay WMA,a 421 acre site with hardwood swamps and cattail marshes. Wetlands and grasslands along Lake Champlain support Least Bittern, Black Tern, possibly breeding Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe,Wilson's Phalarope, Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Vesper Sparrow. The area also supports wintering Rough-legged Hawks, Short-eared Owls and occasional Snowy Owls.

Crown Point State Historic Site

Unusual diversity and abundance of migratory songbirds with more than 175 avian species recorded. American Bittern, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Woodcock, Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler.

Ferd's Bog

Ferd's Bog is a black spruce bog with a sphagnum mat, surrounded by spruce, pine, fir, tamarack, etc. An excellent example of a combined boreal bog and forest system. This area features Spruce Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and Lincoln's Sparrows. There is an active Osprey nest in the bog.

Fort Drum

This site is an active U.S. Army installation and is mostly old-field type meadow and shrub/scrub habitat. Largerly undeveloped, the site has a variety of habitats including forest,including most significant grassland and shrubland breeding bird communities in the state. Breeding species include Northern Harriers, Upland Sandpipers, Henslow's Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Vesper Sparrows. Other state-listed species include Short-eared Owls, Least Bitterns, Red-shouldered Hawks, Ospreys, and Common Nighthawks. The site hosts the largest and perhaps the only significant population of singing male Clay-colored Sparrows in the state.

Four Brother Islands

On Lake Champlain approximately 5.5 miles northeast of Willsboro, these four islands consist of shingle-beaches and shale cliffs, vegetated plateaus with clay soils,mixed forests with white pine, American elm and basswood. These islands compose the largest and most important colonial waterbird nesting colony on Lake Champlain. Ring-billed Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, Herring Gulls, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Great Blue Herons, Cattle Egrets, Great Black-backed Gulls, Gadwall. The site supports the state's second-largest Double-crested Cormorant colony and second largest Ring-billed Gull colony, one of only eight Cattle Egret colonies in the state, one of six upstate Black-crowned Night-Heron colonies, and one of five upstate Great Black-backed Gull breeding sites. The site is also one of only two sites in the state with a confirmed nesting by Red-breasted Merganser.

Indian River/Black Lakes

Indian River WMA, Chippewa Creek and Crooked Creek, Black Lake and Fish Creek Marsh WMA. Lakes, streams, old fields, scrub, upland forests and wooded wetland habitats. Boat access. Breeding Golden-winged and Cerulean Warblers, Sedge Wren, Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Loon, Northern Harrier and Whip-poor-will.

Lake George Peregrine Site

This IBA includes a series of forested tracts around Lake George. The many outcroppings and cliffs make this ideal habitat for Peregrine Falcon nesting. The relatively high number of nesting pairs makes this site unique.

Lisbon Grasslands

Route 68, northwest of Canton. An important wetland-grassland habitat which includes the Upper and Lower Lakes WMA and the Indian Creek Nature Center with its nature trails, handicapped access, boat access, and viewing tower. The wet sedge meadows are home to the Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Least Bittern, Northern Harrier, Black Tern, Sedge Wren, LeConte’s and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows. The wetlands are mostly on private land, but can be accessed through some managed areas.

Lower St. Lawrence River

Encompasses a range of wetland and upland habitats. Wilson Hill WMA is an open water wetland bordered by cattail, shrub swamp, forest and meadows—ideal for nesting and migrating waterfowl. Observation tower on Route 131, trails, boat access. Additional access at several state and municipal parks, such as Coles Creek. Waterfowl, wading birds, shore birds, song birds, and raptors including Bald Eagles and Osprey. Spring and fall migrations with up to 15 to 20 different species. Significant wintering area for waterfowl and Bald Eagles. Sparrowhawk Point, nine miles north of Ogdensburg, is home to a large colony of nesting Bank Swallows–over 3,000 nesting pairs at last count. Most impressive when viewed by boat from the St. Lawrence River.

Massawepie Mire

One of the largest boreal peatlands in the state with extensive wetland habitat and spruce-fir forests. Spruce Grouse and an impressive concentration of Palm Warblers breed here. Other characteristic northern coniferous forest breeders including Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Lincoln's Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Siskin, and Evening Grosbeak.

Moose River Plains

This IBA is located southeast of hamlet of Inlet and includes the watershed of the Moose River. It includes numerous mountains with sub-alpine habitats as well as lakes and ponds. The area features a diverse group of habitats and including mixed growth woodlands, flat lands, open woodlands, and black spruce bogs. This area contains some of the best lowland boreal forest and wetlands in the western Adirondacks and occupies the southern periphery of the range of many boreal forest birds. State-listed breeding birds include Common Loon, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Cooper's Hawk, Spruce Grouse. The area supports good numbers of other characteristic boreal forest birds including Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Common Raven, and Boreal Chickadee. Within the area are also a number of mountains over 3500 feet, at least two of which are known to support breeding Bicknell's Thrush. The site was the last known natural Golden Eagle nesting site in the state.

Moreau Lake Forest

Off Route 9, south of Glens Falls. Forested uplands, Moreau Lake and 4.5 miles of the Hudson River. Wintering Bald Eagles. Breeding Black-billed Cuckoos, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Wood Thrushes, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles.

Plattsburgh Airfield

The former U.S. Air Force Base now destined to be the new regional airport, features areas around the runways that are of particular interest for birds. The area surrounding the runways is a dry, barren flat with some grass growing in tuftsand sporadic shrubs. Towards the south end of the runway there is young pitch pine, small white pine, gray birch, black chokeberry, and some huckleberry. This airfield is an important grassland bird breeding area.

Spring Pond Bog

A large peatland complex of 1200-1400 acres with a 500-acre open bog mat, the second largest peatland in New York State. This interesting location features a variety of peatland types including the unique inland raised bog and ladder-form patterned peatland. This area supports a diverse bird community of lowland boreal forest and bog habitats, including Spruce Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Rusty Blackbird, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Palm Warbler, and Lincoln's Sparrow. This is one of only six sites in New York State known to support breeding Palm Warblers.

Stillwater Reservoir

This area contains some of the best lowland boreal forest and wetlands in the western Adirondacks and is towards the southern periphery of the range of many boreal forest birds. State-listed breeding birds include Common Loon (6-8 pairs), Osprey (4 pairs), Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Cooper's Hawk, Spruce Grouse (2 pairs confirmed). The area supports good numbers of other characteristic boreal forest birds including Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Common Raven, and Boreal Chickadee. Within the area are also a number of mountains over 3500 feet, at least two of which are known to support breeding Bicknell's Thrush. The site was the last known natural Golden Eagle nesting site in the state.

Tug Hill Area

The Tug Hill Plateau is west of the Adirondack Mountains and is separated from the Adirondacks by the Black River Valley. The region has 150,000 acres of unbroken northern hardwood forest with many brooks and streams and receives the heaviest snowfall in the eastern United States. The headwaters of several major rivers spring from the region's core forests.

Valcour Island

Valcour island is located on Lake Champlain near Plattsburgh. The 1,100 acre island is classified as a primitive area and is managed by the state. The island is only accesable by boat and receives heavy use by boaters and campers in the summer. The site features the largest Great Blue Heron rookery on Lake Champlain.

William C. Whitney Wilderness Area

The William C. Whitney Area lies in the ecological transition zone between the temperate deciduous forest and the boreal forest to the north. The main forest types are northern hardwoods (mostly beech, red maple, and yellow birch), mixed woods (hardwoods with hemlock, red spruce, and scattered white pine), and spruce flats. These remote forests and wetlands are home to songbirds such as woodpeckers, flycatchers, wrens, thrushes, vireos, warblers, blackbirds, finches, grosbeaks and sparrows. Boreal birds like the spruce grouse, Wilson's warbler, Cape May warbler, bay-breasted warbler, three-toed woodpecker and yellow-bellied flycatcher breed in or near the area. As you paddle these waters, look for common mergansers, common loon, and Great blue heron.