Dunkirk Harbor

Gratiot Point Park

Dunkirk Airport

Rating

Fall	Winter
Spring	Summer

Site history/background

Dunkirk Harbor

In the words of Richard Rosche, "this site is a jewel of a place for winter birding due to the warm water from the power plant."

Go to the Main Pier which is south of the city on Lake Erie. A power station exists which releases warm water into Lake Erie at this site. As such, open water exists year-round. Ducks congregate, especially in winter. A large variety of water birds occur here. The power plant was built upon a marsh. That marsh provided records of Sharp-tailed Sparrow, among other interesting landbirds. Gratiot Point Park (pronounced "grass-shot") is another local site to visit.

Check out the Dunkirk IBA site for some species seen here. or visit NYS DEC's link to this locale.

Noteworthy Records

Rarities such as Red Phalarope, Franklin's Gull (in winter), Sabine's Gull, Northern Gannet (Dec 5-19, 1981), Snowy Owl and Great Gray Owl (long ago - 1950s), are just a few of the delights of this place.

Directions

A map that accompanies the following directions (and of Dunkirk, harbor, airport and vicinity) is located View a map (44KB).

Dunkirk Harbor is easy to get to. Take the Thruway (I-90) to the NY Route 60 Exit for Dunkirk and Fredonia. After paying the toll, take the first right and proceed to NY Route 5, which runs along Lake Erie (perhaps 3 miles from the exit ramp). If you go straight ahead across NY Route 5, you will get to the north part of the harbor. To get to the main pier, turn left onto NY Route 5, then right in about 1/4 mile at a light (you should be able to see the pier from NY Route 5 and will know where to turn).

(Courtesy of Willie D'Anna's description on GeneseeBirds-L)

Nearby Birding

Dunkirk Airport - from NY Route 5, take county road 121 east about 1.3 miles. View a map (44KB) of Dunkirk, harbor, airport and vicinity.

Lake Erie State Park is located about 5 miles to the south on NYS Route 5. It offers lake bluffs and a nice view of Lake Erie.

This page was last updated on 18 April 2001.