Irondequoit Bay

Contributed by: Tom Lathrop and Kurt Fox

Rating

Fall	Winter
Spring	Late Summer

Site history/background

The name for this large bay of water is from the Iroquois Nation. The name means "where the two waters meet." The Native Americans once used this bay and the incoming Irondequoit Creek for canoe travel to avoid the high falls on the Genesee River. With the exception of the parking lot at the bay outlet into Lake Ontario, much of the land surrounding the bay is privately owned. Please respect landowners' rights.

Best Birding

Winter (until ice-over, if there is an ice-over) is great for lingering waterfowl. Gulls like to sit on the edge of the ice, so as the ice fills the bay, it brings the gulls closer. Spring is usually fairly good for migrant waterfowl. Summer is poor for waterfowl as boaters and fishermen recreate. The marsh at the south end might be good during this time of year.

Regular Specialties

Ducks and waterfowl - especially Red-Breasted Mergansers (up to 15,000 during the winter months) and other diving ducks in migration. Mute Swans nest here in the summer and winter counts have exceeded 75 birds.

Gulls - especially white-winged gulls (Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull) in winter

Shorebirds - When the Lake Ontario water level falls below 244.7 feet, an extensive mudflat develops at the south end of the bay. The small sand beach just west of the bay outlet may hold some shorebirds, depending upon human activity and presence of dogs. Purple Sandpipers are sometimes found along the rock jetties at the mouth of the bay in late fall (Nov).

Marsh birds - often found at the south end of the bay, in the marshy areas south of Empire Blvd.

Noteworthy Records

Ross's Gull (Jan 2003), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Oct 2002), Purple Gallinule, Ross's Goose (Sep 2002), Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Eider, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, jaegers, Laughing Gull (1995,1996), Thayer's Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Black-Legged Kittiwake (1995), Yellow-headed Blackbird, Hudsonian Godwit, Piping Plover, Whimbrel (1996), Willet (1996), Little Blue Heron, Parasitic Jaeger, Great Cormorant.

Warnings

With the exception of the outlet parking lot, the remainder of the roads can have high amounts of traffic or be on steep slippery/icy hills. Drive and park with caution.

Areas of Interest

At the Outlet: (Lake Ontario/lakeshore)

There are two jetties going out into Lake Ontario to buffer Irondequoit Bay from severe waves. To either side of the jetties on the mainland are small sand beaches. Irondequoit Bay Marine Park (the beach) on the west side of the outlet is actually a public NY State Park. (For general information about the public beach, call (716) 964-2462). The beach on the east side of the outlet is a private beach, known as Oklahoma Beach. These beaches may hold shorebirds, terns and gulls in migration (particularly fall). Merlins and Peregrine Falcons have also been seen in and around the bay (and patrolling along the lakeshore). The fee posted at the gatehouse is a boat-launching fee.

A small body of water at the outlet usually remains unfrozen throughout the winter. This unfrozen water attracts a number of ducks and gulls. It can be a good place to see diving ducks at close range. In early spring, the bay thaws and shyer ducks and gulls can be seen at the ice line which stretches across the bay. Almost all of the duck species can be seen here at various times of the spring migration, up to twenty species in a morning. Be sure to check both the bay, the channel and just offshore.

Recently, a retractable bridge was put in place at the outlet. This may change the waterfowl outlook, but it allows quick access across the bay from the north end. The bridge (and hence higher traffic volumes) is in place from Nov 1 to Apr 1.

Near the Outlet: (passerines)

From the boat launching site mentioned above, as one looks south, the hillside on the right (west) along the bay can be quite attractive to passerines in spring as they migrate along the lakeshore and stop before crossing the waters. No paths exist and the hill is steep. Do not stand in the road to bird.

At the Inlet: (Irondequoit Creek, Lasalle Landing)

To reach the inlet, one must drive the I-590 to the Empire Blvd (NY Route 404) exit. Head east through two traffic lights and head downhill. The inlet is at the bottom of the hill. The hill can be icy and traffic can be treacherous. Open water exists to the north (left) and a large cattail marsh exists to the south (right). Just after the marina on the left, but before the former public boat launch, park in the newly developed (by NYSDEC) Lasalle's Landing Park.

There is a potential shorebird spot at the inlet depending on water levels. When the Lake Ontario water level falls below 244.7 feet, an extensive mudflat develops at the south end of the bay. It is possible to view this mudflat and the bay from this park, or one of the bridges without trudging on private property without permission.

Ross's Gull (Jan 2003), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Oct 2002), Purple Gallinule, Ross's Goose (Sep 2002), Laughing Gull (1995,1996), Yellow-headed Blackbird, Hudsonian Godwit and Little Blue Heron, as well as Peregrine Falcon and Merlin, have been found from here.

The rest of the Bay:

There are a few public county and township parks that exist within the bay area. Although I can not vouch for their birding qualities, they are public and viewing may be possible. Irondequoit Bay Park East is 182 acres off the southeast part of the bay and may be reached by taking Smith off Empire Blvd. Irondequoit Bay Park West is 147 acres off the southwest part of the bay and is North of Empire Bvd and East of Seabreeze. The Wetlands Area Park is a Monroe County park south of Irondequoit Bay consisting of 302 acres.

A few side streets and private lanes exist that drive to the water's edge on the western side. Experiment driving down each of these roads to find the edge of the ice and the best views.

Directions

Located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page 72, block C1.

To the West Side outlet:: To reach the west side of Irondequoit Bay, 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 past the SeaBreeze/Durand Eastman Park exit. At the bottom of the incline is the bay outlet and a public parking lot (and a boat launch).
To the East Side outlet: (Oklahoma Beach): To reach the east side of Irondequoit Bay, 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. Take the eastbound NY Route 104 (Ridge Road) over the bay and across the bridge. Take the first exit off NY Route 104, which is Bay Road. At the cloverleaf ramp, take Bay Road north to the end. Turn left and take this to the end.
To the inlet:: To reach the inlet of Irondequoit Bay, 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"). Drive North on the I-590 until you reach Empire Blvd (NYS Route 404). If you reach NY Route 104 (Ridge Road), you have driven too far. Turn right (east) off the exit ramp. Drive through one traffic light and drive downhill. The bay waters are visible to your left and the inlet swampy area is on your right.

Note: There is a recent proposal to place a seasonal bridge over the Irondequoit Bay outlet. It will be placed there for a few months (winter) when it will not interfere with boat traffic. It will make it easier to reach Webster Park, but it will be curious to see how this affects the gulls, waterfowl and viewing.

Nearby Birding

On the East side of the bay is Webster Park. On the west side, is a whole string of sites exist along the lakeshore, starting with Durand Eastman Park. More to the south is Ellison Park and Thousand Acre Swamp.

Facilities

Few, if any, public restrooms are available. The parking lot at the outlet (west side) may have a Port-a-john or two that can be used.

The descriptions/maps to the boats launches and state parks (Irondequoit Bay Marine Park) are sponsored by NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation .

This page was last updated on 12 Mar 2003.