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Braddock Bay itself is an open bay with a cattail edge, on Lake Ontario northwest of Rochester, NY. There is a 440 acre park on the east side of the bay which has a lodge and a hawk-watching platform and is maintained by the Town of Greece. Braddock Bay is situated at a location which tends to concentrate raptors and other birds as they migrate north in the spring. It is claimed to be the best spring hawkwatch location in the US in terms of the number of species observed, although Derby Hill near Oswego is often comparable. (A location in Texas gets a greater number of birds.)
Braddock Bay is a migrant trap, but not only for hawks. One look at the geography shows that northbound birds would hit the Ontario lakeshore and southwesterly winds push them east along the lake shore. The lake shore dips south near Rochester at Braddock Bay and creates a natural funnel for all birds. Hawks happen to be the most obvious, as they are large and are dependent upon thermals (which are nil over the lake). In short, in terms of variety and numbers of birds, Braddock Bay is the place for spring migration in the Genesee region (Region 2).
Consider eco-tourism. Some of the better viewing spots are from public businesses (restaurants, diners, taverns, marinas, etc). Reciprocate and give the owner's your business. It goes a long ways towards birder public relations.
Also consider visiting Eaton Birding Society's Braddock Bay page.
Hawks
A group called Braddock Bay Raptor
Research (BBRR) sponsors a hawkwatch every spring, as well as banding of both hawks and owls. Peak time for numbers of Broad-winged Hawks at the hawkwatch is in late April. The greatest variety of hawk species occurs in late March and April.
Hawk migration is highly dependent on the weather. The best spring weather conditions for Braddock Bay are a south to southwest wind about 15-25 mph, with overcast conditions to keep the hawks fairly low. Strong S/SW winds are needed to battle the "lake effect" winds that otherwise occur. It helps if a front is approaching to push the hawks along. Too much wind forces the birds down. Not enough wind makes for a day with migrants traveling slowly past and, perhaps, lake effect wind. On days with lake effect wind, viewing might be better just inland at the alternate viewing site on Hogan Point Road . Too much blue sky causes the birds to fly high where they are nearly invisible against the blue backdrop. But always remember, the birds do not watch the nightly weather forecast on television and can not always be predicted with great accuracy.
Mid- to late- August also produces a documented Redtail fledgling northbound dispersal that can result in redtails (and some other hawks) in some numbers.
Owls
Owls are less dependent on thermals than hawks, but they seem to concentrate here as well. Screech and Great-Horned are permanent residents. Long-Eared and Saw-Whets are regular spring migrants from mid-March through April. Short-Eared and Barred Owls have been recorded as well. Boreal and Great Gray Owls have been recorded on very rare occasions. Barn Owl has been recorded semi-regularly as a nocturnal migrant for those lucky enough to live within the Braddock Bay complex. Snowy Owls are regulars on the lake shore and a few manage to appear here at least once a year if not for the entire winter.
Passerines
A group called Braddock Bay Bird Observatory (BBBO) mans a banding station for non-raptors: vireos, flycatchers, thrushes, warblers and more. Many passerines can be seen in-hand at the banding station on a good morning, or seen migrating through the trees, shrubs and overhead. Flocks of Blue Jays and N. Flickers are also regularly seen during the spring migration. The warbler migration throughout the WMA is frequently quite spectacular. The woods behind the lodge at Braddock Bay park is often a good spot to observe the passerine migration, and activity there starts early with the arrival of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Fox Sparrows and Winter Wrens. Hogan Point Road may be good for migrant sparrows in fall. Likewise, Beatty Point
can be good in fall for sparrows, as well as Sedge Wren in summer.
Waterfowl can be observed along Edgemere Drive looking onto Cranberry, Long and Buck Ponds , out on Lake Ontario or the the bay
Marsh Birds such as bitterns rails, terns and waders can be found in the Braddock Bay marshes, along the marshy pond edges, or along the marshy inlet creeks such as behind Docksiders on Manitou Road.
When parking in the "fisherman's parking lot", be sure to cover all valuables or lock them in a trunk. There have been occasional incidents of cars being broken into, though fortunately none in the past few years.
The hawk platform is subject to cool (and cold) breezes from the lake. Dress appropriately.
The "owl woods" is often quite muddy in the spring. Waterproof boots are highly recommended and sometimes a necessity.
The entire area is a state maintained Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Fishing and hunting (especially waterfowl) is prevalent. The area may have lots of boaters during the summer months.
Additional Notes Although much of the marsh is publicly owned, access is limited. Much of the rest is privately owned in this area and some of it is posted. Please respect landowners' rights.
Regular are Turkey Vultures; Goshawks, Cooper's and Sharp-Shinned Hawks; American Kestrels, Merlins and Peregrine Falcons; Rough-Legged, Redtails, Red-Shouldered and Broad-Winged Hawks; Northern Harriers; Bald and Golden Eagle; Osprey. Rarities seen have been: Swainson's Hawk, Mississippi Kite, Black Vulture and Gyrfalcon.
In addition to the hawks seen overhead, Braddock Bay is a resting point for many migrating waterfowl. Checking the bay from the hawkwatch platform frequently produces good views of Canada Geese, many puddle and diving ducks, Horned and Pied-billed Grebe, and occasional views of the summer residents, rails and bitterns. Caspian, Common and Forster's Terns may all be seen over the bay during spring and fall migrations. Double-crested Cormorants have been increasing in number, and are often seen perching on the dead trees near the West Spit . Early or late park visitors may hear American Woodcock peenting in nearby fields. A few pair of Black Terns nest in the cattail stands along the edge of the bay. A small pre-migration staging of this species occurs on the bay in late August and early September, with counts of up to 40-50 birds.
There is a small woods in the park, which can be good for passerine migrants in the spring. The entrance to Cranberry Trail and the woods is just off the parking lot behind the map and bulletin boards next to the restrooms. This trail continues across E. Manitou Road to wrap around the back of Cranberry Pond. From here, some marsh birds can be found, including Sora and Virginia Rail, Marsh Wrens and Swamp Sparrows; all of which are common during the breeding season, and migrants in season.
The "Owl Woods" (aka Pear Orchard) and banding stations
To reach this location, follow the directions given below to the west side (fisherman's parking lot). Park there, walk across the street, and the trail into the woods. A well-worn interpretative trail with wood chips is immediately visible. The conservation of the "owl woods" and surrounding habitat and the interpretative trail is maintained by Braddock Bay Raptor Research (BBRR).
The white spruce can contain owls. Look for Northern Saw-Whet Owls close to the tree trunks. Whitewash and owl pellets are also signs to look for. Saw-Whets prefer white spruce with dense cover that are 15-30 feet tall. The owls are usually located about 8-20 feet up, but can be anywhere. Most are on the south/southeast sides of the pines (to get morning sun). They like to be within a foot of the trunk. They choose white spruce over other conifers because white spruce has branches that are very horizontal from the trunks which makes it easy to perch on, and white spruce has thick cover (foliage) close to the trunk rather than way out on the branches. This information is 'known' because BBRR has conducted a roosting study every day in season to search for Saw-whets and they record locations and preferences of the owls. This information is used in conservation for the owls in migration and white spruce plantings have been done by BBRR. Consider supporting their efforts.
Directional signs will point to the raptor banding stations (the "Main Blind"). The so-called Pear Orchard is long since overgrown and is no longer accessible, yet the name lives on. Hawks will be visible overhead and many other spring birds will be tallied.
From the fisherman's parking lot, travel north to the west spit. This entire area is privately owned. A large house at the west spit hosts all the swallow species during migration - check the telephone wires. Cliff Swallow formerly nested on the eaves of an old hotel on the spit itself, but since that burned down, they might be found nesting on the eaves of nearby houses, or seen on telephone wires. The Braddock Bay Bird Observatory (BBBO) banding station is nearby and numerous birds bounding across the road can be seen. The hedgerows surrounding the fields, and the hedgerow near the gate to the west spit are excellent funnels for migrating passerines. Ducks, loons and cormorants can be seen on the lake or flying overhead.
Braddock Bay Bird Observatory (BBBO) is fashioned after the Cape May Bird Observatory. This recently formed organization operates a passerine banding station (the Kaiser-Manitou station) on property near the "west spit." Recently, the land has been donated to a local land trust. The banding station is opened to the public on various days throughout the spring, and banding demonstrations are given on International Migratory Bird Day in mid-May. During the peak of migration (mid-May), many vireos, flycatchers, thrushes and warblers can be observed working through the hedgerows. It also has hours in the fall season. Black-throated Gray Warbler and Summer Tanager were banded in Spring 2002.
Warning repeated The entire area is a state maintained Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Waterfowl hunting is especially prevalent along both of the spits. Dress in brightly colored clothes in hunting season to be sure to be seen.
Directions to the East Spit: From the Lake Ontario Parkway, exit at East Manitou Road. Turn right (north) off the exit ramp and drive to the end. At Edgemere Drive, turn left. Drive to the end (about 100 yards). The East spit is straight ahead. Parking here is forbidden, but drive down a side street until parking can be found (sometimes the only spot is at the playground). Return to the east spit and walk/bird the length of the spit. Be sure to check the trees, the bay, the shoreline and Lake Ontario. Connecticut Warbler is found annually here in the first half of September. This is public/state land.
Directions to the West Spit: From the Lake Ontario Parkway, exit at Manitou Beach Road. Turn right off the exit ramp and drive to the end. The road bends sharply around to the right and passes some expensive looking mansions. The road dead-ends. Park here and walk out. Be sure to check the trees, the bay, the shoreline and Lake Ontario. Townsend's Warbler was found here in Spring 2002. This is not public/state land, yet. The state and/or a conservation group is trying to acquire the land.
Cranberry Pond is the first of the ponds to be encountered. Nearly all of the shoreline is built up, with only the back section still wild. This section can be observed from the trail which originates at Braddock Bay Park, by walking along the south edge of the pond which borders the north side of the parkway.
The next pond, Lond Pond, is completely built up between the parkway and Edgemere Drive, with no edge habitat for any birds. The south end of the pond can be reached from the same parking area as for Beatty Point (see below). Mallards, Wood Ducks and Great Blue Herons frequent the south end of the pond. During migration there are numbers of cormorants here. Caspian, Forster's and Common Terns all use the area for foraging during migration.
Returning to Edgemere Drive, turn right and continue. From this road you get a view of the north edge of Buck Pond. Watch for foraging Black Terns in summer, and Caspian, Common and Forster's Terns during migration periods. In spring as the ice disappears, there are often small groups of ducks and mergansers here. Edgemere Dr. ends at Island Cottage Road, at the entrance to the parking lot for Island Cottage Woods. Sparrows can be a specialty in fall.
Turn left (north) onto Hogan Point Road, the fields at the north end may hold peculiar migrants in season. This is private land, but birders are welcome. Park near the sharp bend in the road on the shoulder of the road, but do not block the gravel access road to the large tower. On days with lake effect wind, hawk viewing and the flight line might be better at this alternate viewing site than at the Hawk Watch . Large numbers anda nice variety of sparrows can be the specialty in fall. LeConte's has been found numerous times and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow is annual. Sedge Wren can be found as a migrant here.
On Hincher Road, just past Hogan Point Road, the road bends sharply to the right (south). Although traffic can be troublesome and parking non-existant, the marshy
area to the north of this
corner may hold marsh birds, including Great Egret or Black Terns. The bridge
over the creek may hold waterfowl, or birds attracted to water (ie: Belted
Kingfishers). In fall, numbers of swallows congregate on the telephone wires over the creek.
Directions:
The easiest way to get to Northrup Creek is to take the parkway
to East Manitou Road and turn left at the end of the ramp. (Pay
attention as you drive down the parkway and you will drive underneath Lowden Point Rd.) Follow
East Manitou to the end and turn left (Frisbee Hill Road, I think).
Take that to the end and turn left again. That's Lowden Point
Road. In about a quarter mile it crosses over the parkway. Park
on the shoulder of the road just south of the parkway, and walk
to Northrup Creek along the parkway to where the pond is. You don't have to walk
on the shoulder of the road. There's a wide grassy area, except for
one spot where you have to get closer to the road to go past a large
willow. This is public land, a DEC wildlife refuge.
Directions:
From the Lake Ontario Parkway, turn south on Manitou Beach Road or Payne Beach Road. The two roads merge to become Manitou Road. Just after they merge, Salmon Creek is visible. A marina on the east side offers a view of Salmon Creek. Be cautious of traffic, and respect landowner's rights. Landowners do not even like cars turning around in their driveways. In the middle is a tavern called Docksider's, and a restaurant currently called Willow Inn. The mudflat area for shorebirds and some of the best marsh area can be seen from the parking lots of these businesses. The owners of these businesses sometimes welcome and sometimes turn away birders. It is often worth checking.
A map that accompanies the following directions is located here (31KB).
There are public restroom facilties at the Braddock Bay lodge and the outside restroom facilities in the Braddock Bay Park near the the Hawk Platform . Diners can find food at Schaller's and CharBroil near Island Cottage Woods , at the Captain Braddock Restaurant on Manitou Beach Rd, or Docksider's or the Willow Inn on Manitou Road. Edgemere Drive has a small deli, too. Public phones are at these sites as well.
This page was last updated on 12 Mar 2003. Comments or questions regarding this page should be sent to Webmaster. The East and West Spits
Historically, the east and west spit offered some of the finest birding. One August, twenty-two species of shorebirds were recorded in a single day here. On one November, a high count of seven Purple Sandpipers were found on a single sandbar here. One winter many years back, a King Rail foraged along the edges of the East Spit. Many passerines flit through the trees, including some rarities. Sometimes the Am Kestrel and Sharp-shinned Hawk flight goes down this line. In recent years, a pair of American Avocets, and Cave Swallow (1999) was seen flying down the shoreline. Purple Martin is often seen nesting in or around the bay. The Bay
The majority of the bay can be best viewed from the The Hawk Platform. Distant birds can be better viewed elsewhere, and some nooks and crannies can not be seen from here. Other viewing spots are from the East and West Spits. Please recall that the Lake Ontario State Parkway is a well-policed thoroughfare. Parking is prohibited and ticketing and/or towing is prevalent among abusers. Stopping is not allowed, except in emergencies. Another spot to view the water's edge from the east side is from the public marina on East Manitou Road, just north of the Braddock Bay Park. This should only be attempted in the boating off-season due to traffic congestion. On the west side, one can park in the fisherman's parking lot near the The "Owl Woods" and walk to the bridge to view both sides of the bridge. Cliff Swallows can often be seen from here during the summer. On Manitou Beach Road, the first road to the north leads you to the restaurant/marina (currently called Captain Braddock's). Briefs stops are allowed. Gulls and terns perch on the docks and poles. Waterfowl can be seen from here, too. Reciprocate and give the owner's your business. It goes a long ways towards birders public relations.
Cranberry, Long and Buck Ponds
The easiest way to visit all the ponds is to turn left out of Braddock Bay Park onto East Manitou Road. Take this to its end, at Edgemere Drive. Turn right, and follow Edgemere Drive to its end. Along the way you will pass all the ponds that are included in the WMA.Beatty Point
Beatty Point, another area maintained by the town of Greece, is composed primarily of grassy fields on a peninsula that sticks out into Buck Pond. To access this site, turn right off Edgemere Drive onto Lond Pond Rd. On the left, just before reaching the entrance to the parkway, is the entrance to Beatty Point. There is a parking lot on the east side of the road, about 1/10 of a mile from the point entrance. (From here you could also walk east along the parkway to view the south end of Long Pond.) It is a long walk down the dirt road to the grass fields of the point, but it is well worth the effort and time. Barn Swallows nest under the small bridge over the creek feeding Buck Pond, Marsh Wrens are abundant, and an early morning or late evening visit is likely to produce a rail. Both American and Least Bitterns nest along the edges. As the road turns left after the bridge, there is a small field on the left, and a woods on the right. At the top of the small hill, a large grassy field opens to the right, and the pond can be seen straight ahead. Many grassland species can be found nesting here, with the possibility of finding a singing Sedge Wren in late-June through mid-July. Take care when walking the area, and stay on the paths to avoid accidentally crushing a nest. Eastern Kingbird, Indigo Bunting, Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow and Northern Harrier have been regular nesters. Over the pond it is possible to see foraging Black Terns. LeConte's and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow have been found here in the fall.Hogan Point and Hincher Road
From the Lake Ontario Parkway, turn south on Manitou Beach Road or Payne Beach Road. The two roads merge to become Manitou Road. Just after they merge, Salmon Creek is visible. Turn left (east) off Manitou Road onto Hincher Road, just south of Salmon Creek. About a half mile down Hincher Road, Hogan Point Road heads north. At this intersection, there is a small field and a pond, which can be wet and hold migrant shorebirds, or even some waterfowl (such as Blue-winged Teal). It has held American Avocet many years ago.Northrup Creek
Just south of the Lake Ontario Parkway near Lowden Point is where Northrup Creek enters Braddock Bay. In years when the water levels are low, this area harbors a large mudflats and large numbers of shorebirds, gulls, terns, and waterfowl. In 1999 alone, the mudflat and waters held Hudsonian Godwit, Snowy Egret, Long-billed Dowitchers, Franklin's Gull and Eurasian Wigeon, among the more commoner species. Large numbers of wigeon are annual and Eurasian Wigeon is almost regular in the fall. Many year's back, the pines along Northrup Creek had a Boreal Owl. Salmon Creek (aka Docksiders)
Salmon Creek offers a view of cattail marsh edge and sometimes a mudflat. During May and June, Black Terns are regularly seen from here, as this is one of the last strongholds in the region (although they are declining rapidly). Both of the region's White-winged Terns were found here. Black-crowned Night-heron is often seen lurking among the edges. Bitterns and rails may be seen. Mute Swans are ever present here. Sometimes the flight line of hawks during migration is directly overhead. Although this is not the optimal viewing site, remember to look up.
Directions
Located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page 71, block B7.
Take Interstate 390 north to the end. Take the left ramp, and head west on the Lake Ontario Parkway. Get off the parkway at the East Manitou Road exit (second exit). Turn right at the end of the ramp, then take the first left into the park. (It's marked with a sign.) When the road comes to a "T", turn right and follow this road to the hawkwatch platform, lodge and the parking lot beyond it. There is no parking fee at this park.
Take Interstate 390 north to the end. Take the left ramp, and head west on the Lake Ontario Parkway. Get off the parkway at the Manitou Road exit (one exit west of the East Manitou Road exit). Turn right at the end of the ramp, then take the immediate first right into the "fisherman's parking lot." (it's not marked with a sign.) Park here - there is no fee. Nearby Birding
To the west, Hamlin Beach State Park is
close to 15 to 20 minutes west, although stopping at various spots on the
west lakeshore may make the trip longer.
Island Cottage Woods is actually within the complex and close to five minutes away from the hawk watching platform.
Further to the east (perhaps a 10-15 minute drive) is
Durand Eastman Park
and Irondequoit Bay.
State Resources Online
A map to the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area is currently annotated to describe the area. Those web pages are sponsored by the NYS DEC at the NYSDEC WMA's Region 8 (Genesee) web page. If this web site is unreachable, try to tunnel in from the NYSDEC Wildlife Management Areas or NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife.
Facilities
Copyright, © Kurt Fox, 1999-2003.
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