Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant

Rating

Fall Winter
Spring Late Summer

ACCESS CHANGES

For the spring and summer of 2002, one of the aeration ponds (A1) will be dredged. Access will be limited, restricted and potentially even refused, especially during the work week. Be sure to ask permission prior to entering.

Site history/background

The main attraction to the Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant is open water. All totalled, almost 300 acres of open water exists ... peaceful, tranquil, open water with no bungalos, swimmers, docks, or speedboats. The plant has nine working sewage ponds consisting of almost 250 acres. Black-headed Minnows have been introduced to help control the midge populations that often hatch from such ponds. These minnows mature at 2-3 inches and offer exceptional food for diving fish-eating ducks and waterbirds. In addition to the working sewage ponds, three "wetland" ponds total close to 27 acres have been set aside as wildlife areas. A private inaccessible cattail marsh (probably another 50-80 acres maintained by the Mallard Duck Club of Batavia) exists just outside the fence to the east side of the wetlands area, providing additional wetlands. Be sure to scan for birds in the distance on the waters in that marsh.

The Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant is accessible 7 AM to 3 PM daily. The entire area is fenced and gates shut at 3PM (whether you are inside or not), so birder beware. Visitors must ask permission at the headquarters building. Permission is freely granted by the friendly employees. A legal release form may be required to sign. Aerial maps are inside the breakroom within the building and the employees may proudly show you a briefing of the area.

Of interest is that this is one of the few inland sites in Western NY where one can see shorebirds of any number. Of particular interest is that the shorebirds can often be approached quite closely (often within fifteen yards) and that they rest on the rocks on the sewage lagoons so one can examine their feet (which helps in separating the Western/Semipalmated Sandpipers from the rest of the peeps). Additionally, this site usually harbors several diving ducks throughout the summer. Late lingering ducks occur here as well and is a "must hit" spot on any Big Day in Western NY.

Warnings

Nothing seems to block the wind here. It can be unbearably stinging cold due to the wind. Dress appropriately. In the summer, it can be unbearably stiffling hot. Ever here of the phrase "water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink"? Bring water. Expect to travel the area by foot. The walk may be long, but often turns up species otherwise overlooked.

Best Birding

Good in Spring and Autumn for migrant waterfowl, especially records numbers of Ruddy Ducks and Northern Shovelers. Good in Summer for unusual lingering waterfowl, such as Lesser Scaup or Ring-necked Ducks. Fair to decent in Spring/Autumn for migrant shorebirds. Relatively unexplored in Winter, although at least three of the ponds are aerated and may provide open water. One recent winter visit turned up a Blue-winged Teal.

Regular Specialties

Spring and fall migrants that are attracted to open water: waterfowl, herons, shorebirds and all the local swallows. Summering birds/nesters in the region include Spotted Sandpipers by the dozen, Pied-Billed Grebe, Great Blue and Green Heron, numerous puddle ducks, and Common Moorhen. Also, hard-to-find summering birds have included all three mergansers, scaup, Ruddy Ducks, and many of the bay and diving ducks. In the fall, large numbers of Ruddy Ducks (over 1600) and Northern Shovelers (over 500) have been recorded.

Noteworthy Records

Adult male Common Eider (1994), Wilson's Phalarope , Red-Necked Phalarope (almost annual), Surf Scoter (almost annual - rare inland), Eared Grebe (becoming annual - 1999, 2000, 2001) lingers here including a pair for several summer and fall months in 2001 with an added third bird in fall of 2001, Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (1994), Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Sanderling (rare inland), Ruddy Turnstone (rare inland). Red-throated Loon, Forster's Tern and Brant (all rare inland, were recorded here in 2000). Barnacle Goose and Tufted Duck (July 1996) may have been escapes.

Areas of interest

Tip: Ask the employees for directions and a quick overview of the property using the aerial maps inside the breakroom within the building (if they do not offer the information before you inquire).

Quite frankly, all of the waters are potentially interesting. The wetlands habitat set aside are worth the extra effort. The three closest ponds (about 10 acres each) are aerated, about 20-30 feet deep and open for all of the winter. As "food" is constantly being replenished, these three closest ponds sometimes holds peeps and other shorebirds along its edges (though Spotted Sandpipers seem to be everywhere). The seven acre "wildlife pond" just below these aerated pools often hold Pied-Billed Grebe, Green Heron and Wood Ducks.

Crossing underneath the railroad tracks, you are presented with another "wildlife pond" (over five acres). The tunnel (and lack of visitors) often allows close approach to otherwise wary birds. This pond has been productive in the past for migrant Solitary Sandpiper, with several hiding along the edges. Moorhens and Am Coots have been seen (and may even nest) in the sparse vegetation along the pond edges.

Sticking to the east side of this pond and following the fence, there is a private marsh just on the other side. Random spots along the fenceline provide fair views into the marshy area to the east. A decent view can be obtained by climbing the berm between the two wildlife ponds on this side of the railroad tracks and looking back. Or, stick to the trail which winds its way south to the third and largest "wildlife pond". This fourteen acre pond is often the best for the dabbling ducks, woodies and hoodies. Scan the edges for herons, Great Egrets, shorebirds and sunning waterfowl.

Follow the north edge (to the right) of this wildlife pond (the pond is on your left and the hill on the right). You will climb the hill to the level of the remaining (non-aerated) sewage ponds (which are only 6-10 feet deep). From the tunnel underneath the railroad tracks, moving counter-clockwise, the six ponds have been assigned the names of Secondary Pond #1, Secondary Pond #2, and Tertiary Ponds #1, #2, #3 and #4. (A map in the building would help with the description here). Other than waterfowl, not much frequents these ponds. Fortunately, the waterfowl here is often the highlight of the visit. Be sure to check the berms for swallows gathered in migration, as all the local species have been tallied here.

For some reason, the best pond is Secondary Pond #2. Perhaps it is the tall, steep embankment on the west edge may provides a small airfoil which protects the birds from the (sometimes) harsh, west winds. Secondary Pond #1 can hold waterfowl, especially diving ducks near the west bank. The remaining Tertiary Ponds hold small numbers of waterfowl (but sometimes the rarer ones) as well. The best waterfowl viewing point is near the far end at the "Lift Station" which overlooks four pools at once, one of which is the best in the plant. From here, you can travel back to the plant building and drive around to Donohue Road to look at the marshy area below these sewage pools. Or, you can travel to the southwest side inside the complex to get a commanding view of the same marshy area.

Note: If the plant gates are closed, there is possible viewing of some of these sewage ponds from a public road. West of Industrial Ave (over a mile), on the south (left if coming from the WWTP) is Donohue Road. Turn south onto Donohue Road and continue over the railroad tracks. A parking area is on the left (east). This parking area was originally intended to provide parking for a nature trail that would sidle the sewage ponds and wind its way around the outside. The parking lot was put in place, as were some evergreens, but the trails never were. The City of Batavia owns all these lands and walking is freely permitted through the area (although hunting and trapping is not). Walking to the fence, a small rise nearby offers limiting views of a few of the sewage ponds. Walking the railroad tracks is NOT suggested as the rails are frequently used.

Continuing south on Donohue Road, you can view some small ponds and marshy habitat that may hold ducks, geese, and if waterlevels are low, shorebirds.

Directions

Located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page 56, block A3.

From Buffalo:
Travel NYS Route 33 east past NYS Route 77 (Pembroke). Once the Batavia city limits have been reached (30 mph zone), be on the lookout for Industrial Avenue. on the right (south) hand side of the road. Turn right onto Industrial Avenue just past the SugarCreek convenience mart and drive straight to the end (~1/4 mile) and past the gates of the plant. Be sure to ask permission at the headquarters building.
From Rochester:
Travel I-490 westbound and get off at the NYS Route 33 exit at Bergen. Turn right and travel west on NYS Route 33. The plant is on the far west side of the city. NYS Route 33 merges with NYS Route 5, then NYS Route 63, and then intersects with NYS Route 98 (by Dunkin' Donuts). Stay on Route 33, which turns left (and over the Tonawanda Creek) at the NYS Route 98 intersection. After a series of bends (all the while on NYS Route 33), start looking for Industrial Avenue on the left 0.6 miles from NYS Route 98. If you've reached the SugarCreek convenience mart, you have driven too far. Turn left onto Industrial Avenue and drive straight to the end (~1/4 mile) and past the gates of the plant. Be sure to ask permission at the headquarters building.
From outside WNY via the thruway (I-90):
Take exit 48 (Batavia, NYS Route 98). Turn left onto Route 98. About a mile later, it intersects with NYS Routes 5, 33 and 63. Continue straight (NYS Route 98 South and NYS Route 33 West) and over the Tonawanda Creek. NYS Route 98 turn left, but NYS Route 33 continues and bears right. Stay on NYS Route 33. Start looking for Industrial Avenue on the left 0.6 miles from NYS Route 98. If you've reached the SugarCreek convenience mart, you have driven too far. Turn left onto Industrial Avenue and drive straight to the end (~1/4 mile) and past the gates of the plant. Be sure to ask permission at the headquarters building.

Nearby Birding

Alabama Swamps (Oak Orchard WMA, Iroquois NWR, Tonawanda WMA) is about 15 minutes to the north on NYS Route 63.

On the way to the Alabama Swamps, be sure to stop at the Gypsum Ponds. These are so-named because of the nearby gypsum mines which pump water into this man-made pond. From NY Route 63 north of Batavia, head west on Townline Road. Take your second right, which is Hutton Road. The pond on the east side of the road can be viewed from a berm. A variety of ducks and waterfowl, and Osprey have occurred here.

Side Trip: Genesee County Airport and Batavia Turf Farm

Nearby, an extensive low-cut grassy habitat exists. This area provides possible viewing areas for likely species. Birds seen in the area include Killdeer, Upland, Pectoral and Baird's Sandpiper, Lesser Golden Plover and, if you are lucky, Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Directions: (a tour)

From Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant, travel out to NYS Route 33. Head east (right). NYS Route 33 meets NYS Route 98, crosses over the Tonanwanda Creek and meets a traffic light (with gobs of road signs for a gazillion routes). Travel straight through the traffic lights on NYS Route 98 towards the thruway (I-90). Pass over the thruway (about a mile). A farm machinery dealership will be on the right. This lawn is usually kept low and may be a good spot to see birds. Turn right onto W. Saile Rd just past the farm machinery dealership. Both sides of the road are good locales. Travel through the next stop sign (of course, after stopping) onto E. Saile Rd. The Genesee County Airport is to the north (left). The birds could be anywhere. Just east past the hangars are a set of fields, some with a few low spots and possible water. Check the edges for migrating shorebirds such as Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Baird's and Pectoral Sandpiper.

The next intersection is a "T". Straight ahead is the Batavia Turf Farm. This is private property, and the owner is not very obliging due to damage to his turf. The best bet is to find a local birder with permission. Some of the area can be seen from the road. The turf farm may produce Lesser Golden Plover and, if you are lucky, Buff-Breasted Sandpiper.

Facilities

No public restroom facilities exist at plant itself. But, there are the numerous "fastfood" restaurants in Batavia where a restroom might be found, as well as a quick "meal".

This page was last updated on 01 May 2002.

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Copyright, © Kurt Fox, 1999-2002.
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