Island Cottage Woods

Rating

Fall	Winter
Spring	Summer

Site history/background

This mere speck of a woods is one of the few spots on the west lakeshore with large growth of trees and provides a resting grounds for many migrating species. It is nestled between the numerous ponds and bays in the Braddock Bay area. Island Cottage Woods gets its name from being a woods located behind an old inn that was named the Island Cottage. The inn is no longer in service and plenty of parking is available (and needed) in the spring. Currently, the land is privately owned in this area by the Schaller family which owns the restaurant across the street. Birders have permission to freely walk the lands. The neighboring land is also private. Please respect landowners' rights. Negotiations are underway by the Genesee Land Trust (and supported by local bird clubs) to secure the land for conservation for birds, birders and away from developers.

Best Birding

Spring migration is king at Island Cottage. Although the fall may hold some migrants, it is not birded with as much vigor as spring. Summer may hold some marsh birds, including bitterns, at Buck Pond.

Regular Specialties

Many regard this as the warbler hotspot of Rochester and one of the most travelled-to locations during spring. Many migrants pass through the area and can be seen in or around the woods or in the neighboring waters. Other than the passing hawks and nearby waterfowl, the spring migration season progresses as such: winter birds heading back ; Fox Sparrows, Winter Wrens, Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, swallows (overhead), and then the May barrage of warblers, thrushes, vireos, flycatchers and just about anything else. On a good day in mid-May, over 20 species of warblers and close to 100 overall species are possible in a morning's birding at Island Cottage Woods. If one were to pick a location for rare songbirds to alight in the spring in the Rochester area, this would be a primary location.

Warning

Spring snow melt and rains often imply that you have to fjord a foot deep mud puddle and stand in four inches of mud through out the woods. Waterproof footwear is highly recommended.

Areas of interest

Many well-worn foot trails exist within the woods themselves. The general plan of attack is to simply wander about and use the pre-schooler's maxim: "Stop, look and listen." A few popular spots within the woods will be mentioned with no one spot being any better than the other; "it's all good."

A few trails immediately behind the old inn lead out to a spot overlooking the marsh and Round Pond. Teal and rails can be seen on the waters and ocassionally bitterns can be seen singing atop the cattails. Marsh Wrens can be heard and swallows are visible here too. Watch for patrolling N. Harriers, a passing accipiters or maybe a flyby falcon. I tend to start all my treks from the east side of the woods and work my way inwards since most birds would pass overhead if they left; the morning sun heats up this side of the woods first; and by midday, most of the birders and daylight have scared away the shy marsh birds with crepuscular habits.

From the southwest corner of the parking lot, head into the woods. Straight back from the parking lot, about 30 yards, is an old concrete slab. This is a good spot to watch warblers in the warming morning sun. After the sun rises some, travel back into the woods proper. A few puddles (mud ponds) hold the best bets for seeing both species of waterthrush. The Louisianna arrives early and is seldom seen, whereas the Northern sometimes seem tame for days on end. The remaining warbler clan can be seen and heard anywhere within the woods. At the very back of the woods is another overlook into Round Pond and the marsh. Marsh birds can be seen from here as well.

Summer in Island Cottage Woods holds nesting Black-Throated Green, an occasional Hooded or perhaps a Mourning Warbler. Scarlet Tanagers, Red-Eyed Vireo and Wood Thrushes remain here as well. The marsh contains Black Terns, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails, Sora, C.Moorhens. Both bitterns are best seen in mid- to late- Summer as water levels drop and they are busy foraging to feed hungry fledglings. Behind the inn is a good spot for Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and some of the warblers as found in the spring.

Fall migration exists, but is much more relaxed and widely distributed without the hurried pace of spring. Colors are more drab, birds sing less, and they are not as dependent on the weather. For the Rochester area, Island Cottage Woods is still a birding star even in the autumn.

Directions

Located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page 71, block B7.

Take I-390 north until it ends. Veer right (east) onto the Lake Ontario State Parkway. Take the first exit off the parkway (Dewey Road). At the end of the ramp, turn left (north) onto Dewey. Take Dewey until the lake is reached. Turn left (west) onto Edgemere Drive. The Schaller's restaurant will be noticed about a half mile down Edgemere. Island Cottage Woods is directly across the street. Park in the parking lot next to the old motel.

Nearby Birding

To the east is Russell Station, George Badgerow Park(formerly Dewey-Latta Park), Charlotte and further east is Durand Eastman Park (about a 10 minute drive). To the west is the Fire Station actually within the Braddock Bay complex. And, Island Cottage is actually within the Braddock Bay complex which mostly resides to the west.

Facilities

There are no restrooms in Island Cottage Woods. Both Schaller's Dairy and the Charbroil restaurant across the street have restrooms, a bite to eat and a place to warm up on the colder days.

This page was last updated on 18 April 2001.