Bergen Swamp

Contributed by: Kurt Fox with additional information provided by Robert McKinney

Rating

Fall	Winter
Spring	Summer

Site history/background

Bergen Swamp is a remnant of the ice-age and the time of the glaciers, as the varied flora and fauna indicates. Bergen Swamp is maintained, monitored and patrolled by the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society. Entry into the swamp is permitted to all, but Off-trail wandering is strictly forbidden! This is both for the sake of the swamp and the sake of the individual. Visitors may not leave the paths. The only persons that may go off-trail are Society trustees or trustees emeritus. Limited groups and tours can be arranged, but only on a permit basis. A notice of intent is needed in advance to allow time to process the permit. It is often best to attend one of the trips or tours into the area beforehand to get somewhat familiar with the area.

Contact the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society for a membership, more information, a map, bird checklist and/or permit to enter the area.

Best Birding

All year for owls; summer for the "northern" breeders.

Special Warnings

As mentioned above, stay on the trails. This is a delicate area, botanically. Not only that, but one can easily be turned around and get lost in this area. People have been known to be literally lost for days. Bring a compass, even though you are to stay on the trail. Also, this is the only location in Western NY's for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, of which there is no known anti-toxins. Stay on the trail as a snake can easily be seen from the trail, as opposed to one hidden in the ferns or grasses. Please note that some of the trails are the old log corduroy type and are subject to be very slippery when wet or damp. Please, proceed with caution. The two trails on Hessenthaler Rd. are open to the public from dawn to dusk. NO PETS ALLOWED!

Regular Specialties

What makes the Bergen Swamp interesting, bird-wise, is that it attracts breeding birds with a more northerly slant. As the flora is more like that in a northerly clime, the birds are attracted to this habitat.

Owls: Big Days often are started here as one can sometimes pick up five species of owls: Great-Horned, Screech, Barred, Saw-whet, and Long-eared. Please do not play tapes or overly disturb the owls.

"Northern" birds: Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Canada, Nashville, Black and White, and Blackburnian Warbler, Solitary Vireo, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Purple Finch, and Alder Flycatcher. Formerly, Acadian Flycatcher near Torpy Hill; and also formerly, a stronghold for Whip-poor-will.

Areas of interest

The Swamp: Many of the northern breeders (mentioned above) are found en route to the center of the swamp (sometimes called the "marl room"). Entrances are from Hessenthaler Roads. Specific directions are not given as the first trip should be with a tour or group led bird walk. Your first walk should not be attempted alone. The two trails on Hessenthaler Rd. are open to the public from dawn to dusk. NO PETS ALLOWED!

Torpy Hill: Atop the hill off the end of Evan Road, some (all?) of the owls can be heard at nightfall. Open shrubland birds can be seen (such as Willow Flycatcher, Blue-winged and Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Indigo Bunting and possibly a cuckoo). American Woodcock and Common Snipe can be heard displaying in the March and April evenings. Into the woods, near the Hemlock knoll, some of the more northern breeders (see above), as well as Acadian Flycatcher have been reported. Brown Creeper, Ovenbird and Red-eyed Vireo are likely to be seen or heard.

Nearby farm fields may have grassland birds, such as Savannah and Vesper's Sparrows. Nearby swampy areas may have Marsh or Sedge Wren, Virginia and Sora Rails, and perhaps migrant ducks and shorebirds.

Directions

Located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page 71, blocks D4 and D5.

A map that accompanies the following directions is located here (28KB).

From the West:
From the thruway (I-90), take the Batavia (exit 48) exit. Drive NYS Route 98 North to NYS Route 262 (Elba). Turn right onto NYS Route 262. From intersection of Rt 237 in Byron, continue for 1 1/2 miles east on 262. Turn left onto Hessenthaler Rd and take it to the dead end, about 1 mile. Parking during nice weather is at the end of the road as well as in front of the big woods. During winter, we prefer that you do not park at the end as the snowplow turns around there. Please do not park in front of the caretaker's house.

From the East:
From the I-90, take the Leroy (exit 47) exit. Drive NYS Route 19 North through Stone Church and into Bergen to NYS Route 262. Turn left onto NYS Route 262. Take 262 about 4 1/2 miles to Hessenthaler Rd. Turn right onto onto Hessenthaler Rd and take it to the dead end, about 1 mile. Parking during nice weather is at the end of the road as well as in front of the big woods. During winter, we prefer that you do not park at the end as the snowplow turns around there. Please do not park in front of the caretaker's house.

From Rochester:
Take the I-490 west to the Bergen exit (exit 2). At the end of the ramp, turn right onto NYS Route 33, then right at the first traffic light onto NYS Route 19. After a few blocks, turn left onto NYS Route 262. Take 262 about 4 1/2 miles to Hessenthaler Rd. Turn right onto onto Hessenthaler Rd and take it to the dead end, about 1 mile. Parking during nice weather is at the end of the road as well as in front of the big woods. During winter, we prefer you do not park at the end as the snowplow turns around there. Please do not park in front of the caretaker's house.

Facilities

There are no restroom facilities in the Bergen Swamp, minus the ones that the bear use. It is advised that you use facilities prior to coming here. The gas station at the intersection of NYS Routes 19 and 33 has some accomodations which may be used on the way.

This page was last updated on 18 April 2001.