Durand Eastman Park

Contributed by: Tom Lathrop and Kurt Fox

Rating

Fall	Winter
Spring	Summer

Site history/background

This large Monroe County Park is an island of bird habitat surrounded by the city and suburbia, and Lake Ontario. Land donated by George Eastman and William Durand in 1909 contributed to the naming of the park. Two large ponds (Durand and Eastman) exist totally within the park's boundaries. An extensive arboretum existed within the park and large numbers of exotic trees still remain. Formerly several roads were open to the public, but most of these have been closed. These roads are now used as foot trails, in addition to other trails which can be hiked (or traverse by cross-country skiis in winter).

This large park (965 acres) resides on the shores of Lake Ontario and has over 5000 feet of waterfront. The park is a haven for migrants and wintering species.

Best Birding

This park can often be the highlight of Spring and Fall migration as the birds cram up on the lake edge. The lure of half-hardies and winter vagrants makes this park a must-see in Winter.

Regular Specialties

Migrating birds - waterfowl and gulls on the lake, warblers, vireos, flycatchers are seen throughout the park, especially in the sheltered areas in the park on windy days.

Wintering birds - waterfowl (such as up to 15,000 scaup), vagrants, such as both crossbills, and the rest of the winter finches are often found within the park. There are usually at least a few Robins which overwinter here. Little Gulls are rare, but regular.

Noteworthy Records

Boreal Owl, Bohemian Waxwings, Boreal Chickadees, Pine Grosbeaks, Varied Thrush, Willet (1996), Connecticut Warbler (1996) and Worm-Eating Warbler (1996).

Warnings

This is a large park with many hidden nooks and crannies near an urban area. As with any urban area, crime can be a factor. Hide valuables, lock your car, bird with caution and it is suggested never to bird alone.

Areas of Interest

Lakeshore Blvd has many turnouts to park and overlook Lake Ontario for waterfowl, gulls or shorebirds. One such turnoff is access to Durand Beach across the road from the (Frank E.) Van Lare WasteWater Treatment Plant. It is a good place to look for Little Gulls in the winter. This area can also be a good place to find Bonaparte's Gulls, and some shorebirds.

Most of the ponds can be seen from Lakeshore Blvd. Stop and look for waders or waterfowl at your leisure. Or better yet, park off Lakeshore Blvd and walk the edges of any of the ponds. There are trails that border most of them. These trails can be good in spring and fall for warblers, thrushes, and other migrants and winter for vagrants.

In winter, park at the end of Zoo Road and walk south. The road is sometimes plowed up to the pull-off about 100 yards on the right. The caged area now holds maintenance vehicles but formerly was a zoo (hence Zoo Road). The valleys near the old zoo is good for overwintering birds. The pines in the pinetum along the east side of Zoo Road attract the winter finches and other vagrants. Continuing south for about 30-40 yards, you will see a yellow fireplug. this can be used as a landmark to go west down into the valley and back up the other side. The far side is the notorious Crab Apple Orchard which holds many crab apple and other fruit trees and berry bushes. The old orchard can be an excellent spot in winter for Am. Robins, Cedar (and sometimes Bohemian) Waxwings, and half-hardies. Continue south out of the orchard and back onto Zoo Road. One can return north to the car, or bird more to the south near the intersection of Zoo and Pine Valley Road. Just to the west of that intersection is a hollow which contains water (swampy area) and lots of cover, fruit and nut trees. It is a decent overwintering spot and holds good numbers of thrushes in migration.

Directions

Located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page 72, block C1. A map that accompanies the following directions is located here (52KB).

To reach Durand Eastman Park, take Interstate 390 to Interstate 590 and go north on 590, or take Interstate 490 to where it intersects with I-590 and NY 590 (the notoriously confusing "can of worms"). North of I-490, I-590 becomes NY 590, but it's still a limited-access highway. Once NY Route 104 (Ridge Road) is passed, 590 turns into an old-style parkway. A few traffic lights will be passed. Continue to the SeaBreeze/Durand Eastman Park exit. Turn left. Go through the traffic light at Culver Road. Continue on this road around a bend to the right and another to the left. Some of the best birding spots are on both sides of this road (Lakeshore Blvd) for the next half mile or so, or along Zoo Road, which runs through the park off Lakeshore Blvd just past the bend to the left.

Nearby Birding

Irondequoit Bay is about 5 minutes to the east. Island Cottage Woods is about 10 minutes to the west.

Facilities

There are restrooms at the visitor's center off Kings Highway and there might be port-a-johns along the pulloffs on Lakeshore Blvd. Camp Eastman (another public park), on the west side of the park, may have facilities as well.

This page was last updated on 18 April 2001.