Little Lakes Region

Rating

Fall Winter
Spring Summer

Site history/background

This area resides in Kingbird Region 2 and comprises a different environment than most of the rest of Region 2. The area is quite hilly, forested and can almost be considered remote (relative to the rest of Region 2). It has a larger snowfall and colder temperatures than the surrounding areas to the north because of its elevation. All of these factor compose an area that has a different, more northerly quality than the rest of Region 2, especially during the breeding season. For over 40 years, part of this region has been combed over by Rochester birders in a NAS Christmas Bird Count.

This area is quite extensive and picking the best spots to go is quite monumental to do alone. This area is the tiny westernmost Finger Lakes, and the hilly areas in between; namely, the relatively unknown Finger Lakes are just west of Canandaigua Lake are: Honeoye (pronounced: honey-oy and rhymes with "funny-boy"), Canadice, Hemlock and Conesus Lake (written up as a separate site).

Some of the public areas to actually hike and bird in the "Little Lakes" area include: Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, Cummings Nature Center, Ontario County Park, George B. Taylor Wildlife Marsh, and any of the NYS DEC Multiple Use Areas: Hi-Tor (6200 acres), Stid Hill (847 acres), or many of the local fishing stream access areas (717 acres). Extensive trails and viewing opportunities also exist in the Hemlock and Canadice Lakes watershed and Honeoye Lake.

Nota Bene

This area is one of the lesser-known (or at least, lesser-birded) birding areas. As Drennan states in her classic book Top 500 Sites in NYS, this area covers some 200 square miles. Her advice is to find a Rochester birder who can show you the area. My advice is that if you have only limited time in the Rochester area, there are many other more accessible and productive sites (such as Braddock Bay, Island Cottage Woods, Hamlin Beach, Letchworth State Park, or Montezuma NWR) at all seasons than this site.

This large area is located on the Delorme NYS Atlas and Gazetteer on page 58, blocks B1, B2, C1, C2. View a map (32KB) of the major features and highways. The map to Cummings Nature Center provided by RMSC may help.

Regular Specialties Seen or Breeding (not necessarily every year)

A natural pair of breeding Bald Eagles is unique to the area. It has been active since the mid-60's. The author has never tried to find the nest, but bald eagles have been seen year-round on Hemlock and/or Canadice Lakes. If the nest site was available, it would not be disclosed because of nest disturbance and since the original male at the site was shot to death in the early 1970s. Neither the original male or female are alive, but the site still remains active and the eagles may be seen at all seasons in the area.

In 1996, after successfully hatching two nestlings and hacking a third bird, the adult female mysteriously disappeared (presumably shot). The lone male successfully raised the youngsters and found a mate the following year. As of 1999, the pair have successfully raised young.

Nesting Pine, Yellow-Rumped, Black-Throated Green, and Black-Throated Blue Warblers and nesting Barred Owls, Solitary Vireos, Brown Creepers, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Winter Wren, White-Throated Sparrows, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush can be found in the higher hills. Both winged (and hybrid) warblers may be found in lower elevations. Louisianna Waterthrushes prefer the fast moving water in shale glens.

Red-Shouldered Hawks, N. Goshawks, Saw-Whet Owls and Common Ravens are possible breeders.

Higher elevation fields potentially hold nesting Henslow's, Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrows. Wild Turkeys and Ruffed Grouse as well.

Areas of Interest

The places described below are not necessarily the birding highlights of the region, but instead provide the birder with public places of access in the region. Specific locations of targeted species may not lie within public access boundaries, so birding-by-car and checking likely habitat in all of the surrounding areas is strongly encouraged. But, there is enough public access to tally the targetted species without trespassing.

Grab the NYS DeLorme Atlas and cruise the roads. A general map that accompanies the following areas is located here (32KB).

Presented east to west:

Ontario County Park (aka: Gannett Hill Park)

Ontario County Park is, as its name suggests, a county park. Some trails through woods and field should produce some nice vistas and several species of birds. Also check the stream on the right (north) on the hill on the way up Gannett Hill Road for Louisianna Waterthrushes. This ridge that this park resides upon was a site used by Bill Evans to record nighttime migrating birds.

Directions: This park is located at the top of Gannett Hill on (if you can imagine) Gannett Hill Road. Take NYS Route 64 south, past Stid Hill and the ski slopes. Just as you are entering the town of Bristol Springs, a well- marked road (Gannett Hill Road) on the right (west) points the direction to the park. The park is unmistakable at the top of the hill.

The park is only open during daylight hours (9am-6pm). And, apparently, this park is closed in the off season (at least during weekdays).

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, block C2.

Cummings Nature Center

Cummings Nature Center is actually a branch of the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC). A small fee is required to enter the area and its nature trails, which are numerous. Trail maps are available to help navigate through the several miles of trails. Cross-country skis and/or snowshoes can be rented for a small fee from the nature center during the winter as well.

Woodpeckers, winter finches, accipiters (including N. Goshawk), ocassionally Common Raven, as well as many of the "Northern" breeders have been located here. Eastern Bluebirds are often seen in the area, such as on Gulick Road.

For more information about the Cummings Nature Center, contact:

Melissa Anderson or Dave Gotham, Co-Deputy Directors
6472 Gullick Road
Naples, NY 14512
(716) 374-6160

Directions: To get a visual peak, look at a map to Cummings Nature Center.

The nature center/gift shop and access to the trails is located on Gullick Road in South Bristol. To reach Gullick Road, travel west on NYS Route 20A through the town of Hemlock, turn south (right) on East Lake Road. Travel south about a mile and turn east (left) onto County Road #33 and, after a short stretch, turn south (right) onto PineWoods Road which turns into Gullick Road. The well-marked entrance is several miles to the south.

Facilities: Restrooms are available within the nature center.

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, block C2.

Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area

This park provides a commanding view of Honeoye Lake and the surrounding hillside. The fall foliage season is a busier (than normal) time and the park may be overrun with people at that time. And, summer months may be shared with mountain bikers. The higher elevation and relative remoteness should provide some interesting species year-round and during breeding season.

This park offers five miles of hiking (and XC skiing) trails which feature nesting Dark-Eyed Juncos, Yellow-Rumped, Blackburnian, black-and-White, Black-Throated Green, and Black-Throated Blue Warblers. Also, nesting Barred Owls, Pine, Magnolia, and Canada Warblers, Solitary Vireos, Brown Creepers, Winter Wren, White-Throated Sparrows, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush can be found in these higher hills.

Directions: Just west of the town of Hemlock on NYS Route 20A, take County Road #37 south. The road goes uphill (with a nice vista) for several miles, narrows and becomes Canadice Hill Road and eventually forks. Take the left fork (dirt road) for about a mile and a half and the park is on the left. Drive in and walk around on any of their trails. Sorry, no map, but most of the trails loop back around to the road through the park. For more general information, contact NYS Parks at (716) 335-8111.

Note: some very decent birding habitat can be found along the way to Harriet Hollister. Stopping along the way is encouraged.

Facilities: There is a port-a-john at the end of the loop inside Harriet Hollister Spencer Park.

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, block C2.

Honeoye Lake

Honeoye Lake itself is interesting from a migrant waterfowl perspective. Both spring and fall migration can hold fair numbers and decent variety. Early November can hold large numbers of Ring-necked Ducks (over 500), and Ruddy Ducks (over 300), and fair numbers of American Coot, Redhead, Common Goldeneye and Common Mergansers. Be watchful for a possible eagle passing over. Winter is subject to ice-over and summer is subject to boat traffic (and not recommended during those months). A tour around the lake is below.

Sandy Bottoms is interesting in that it has a very accessible nature trail with a boardwalk. Commoner species can be tallied here and the walk is easy. A resident Carolina Wren and even a migrant Prothonotary Warbler have been recorded here. Sandy Bottoms has restroom facilities, a small beach and is a good place to look for waterfowl. Just below the outlet (right near the nature trail entrance) is a small pond should be checked for waterfowl. Directions: From NYS Routes 20A in Honeoye, turn south at the light (West Lake Road). Travel about a half mile. Just past the blue American Legion and cemetery, a dirt driveway reaches down to a parking lot next to a ball field. This is Sandy Bottoms. If you miss the drive, the next street on the left is Sandy Bottoms Road - it will also take you down to the park.

From Sandy Bottoms, head north to Route 20A and turn east at the light. Turn right down the east side of the lake. About a half mile down, turn right on Hobart Street. Take this to the lake edge. You will pass through a small community of summer cottages. This site can be seen from Sandy Bottoms, but is quite distant and more of the lake can be viewed from here. Most of the land at the water's edge is privately owned in this area, but a small park exists at the end of Hobart Street. No parking zones exist, but are primarily a concern in congested summer traffic. Please respect landowners' rights.

Few overlooks exist on the east side, and much of the water must be observed by peering through the lawns between some cottages and chalets. Stop when and where oncoming and following traffic allows. Please observe landowners' private rights.

At the southeast end of the lake, the water can be viewed from the public NYS DEC Boat Launch. The DEC Boat Launch has unheated restroom facilities without running water. Sometimes numerous waterfowl gather here. Carolina Wren has been recorded along the NYS DEC driveway. For more general information about the state owned lands (DEC Boat Launch), contact NYS Parks at (716) 335-8111.

After the boat launch, turn right and continue south. Honeoye Lake has a huge swampy inlet area. Although rather unnavigatable, roadside birding might yield Barred Owl, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker or even a Prothonotary Warbler. Non-hunting private land has created an unmanageble large herd of deer at the south end. Beware of darting deer! The inlet area may hold wintering raptors, and has had N. Shrike and E. Bluebird on a few occasions.

The pavement becomes a dirt road. At the end of the road, drive north. At the south end of the lake, just past a red barn on the right, pull to the side of the road and scan the lake. This is an elevated view across from the DEC boat launch, but more of the lake and inlet can be seen, albeit through leafless trees.

Few overlooks exist on the east side, and much of the water must be observed by peering through the lawns between some cottages and chalets. Stop when and where oncoming and following traffic allows. Please observe landowners' private rights.

Continue north until reaching Ranch Road. Take Ranch until reaching the lake. You will pass throughthe Honeoye Valley mobile home park. Be watchful of nasty speed bumps. The former tavern has been demolished and the lake can be viewed from the parking area. Cedar Waxwings frequnet the area and the potential for Bohemian exists. Turning north from here, one soon reaches Sandy Bottoms to complete the lake circuit.

Facilities: There is a port-a-john at the NYS DEC boat launch on the east side. The restrooms at Sandy Bottoms are only open during the summer months. Gas, food and restrooms might be found at the Honeoye gas stations, and restaurants.

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, block B2, C2.

Coming Soon !!!

The valley south of Honeoye Lake is about as unsullied by humans as western New York gets, with one of the largest oak and hickory forests in the state. The nonprofit environmental group Nature Conservancy took possession of 700 acres of valley on Sept. of 2000 - its largest-ever land gift in the central and western New York region. The land comes from Florence Muller, widow of developer Emil Muller. The expansive strip of pristine marshes and woods donated by Muller eventually will be given to the state Department of Environmental Conservation for use as a wildlife preserve and recreation area. The donated land extends from the south end of Honeoye Lake more than a mile, where it meets up with 400 acres of property purchased last year from Muller by the Nature Conservancy. Within a year or so, the Nature Conservancy expects to hand over that 1,100 total acres to the state.

"This is one of the most pristine areas," said DEC Region 8 Director John Hicks.

View a map (16KB) of the area to be donated.

George B. Taylor Wildlife Marsh

This nature preserve of over 100 acres is owned and maintained by the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society. The habitat, as its name suggests, is mostly marsh. The marsh is located due north of Honeoye Lake and sidles a small gully and a small tributary of Honeoye Creek. Marsh critters, such as rails and bitterns, Marsh Wrens and the ilk, can be found here. The small lot neighboring the marsh contains a thick undergrowth of numerous berry bushes and nut trees which attract appropriate birds.

Of interest in recent years has been the return of migrant Sandhill Cranes, which have been seen nearly every spring and fall for the past 3 years. They were rumored to spend a summer here one year. When found, they are often seen foraging in corn stubble near the Taylor Marsh. They roost in the marsh and return to the fields during the day.

NYS DEC has fishing access along Honeoye Creek. The fields along County Road 15, just west of Allens Creek Road, is NYS DEC land that often holds E. Bluebird. The fishing access site along County Road 37, south of County Road 15 has held Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows on the trail back to the creek.

Facilities: Use the facilities mentioned in Honeoye Lake.

Directions: From NYS Routes 5 and 20, travel south on County Road #37 (opposite NYS Route 65 in West Bloomfield). After a few miles down at the first stop sign (has a dead car junkyard on the right and Honeoye Creek DEC access on the left), turn left onto County Road #15. Take a right at the next intersection (Allens Creek Road). The nature preserve is on the right just past Nighan Road (not labelled on the DeLorme Atlas).

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, block B2.

Canadice and Hemlock Lakes

Great areas to walk and bird exist around pristine Canadice and Hemlock Lakes. The shorelines are virtually undeveloped. Lengthy trails exist along the shores of both lakes that are quite good for hiking and nature in general.

E. Bluebird, E. Phoebe, swallows and Spotted Sandpiper may be found at either outlet. The trails and surrounding hills have nesting warblers, Winter Wren and the like.

Warning: Canadice and Hemlock Lakes and the watershed around these small lakes are owned by the City of Rochester. Because these lakes are reservoirs for the City of Rochester, a Watershed Visitor Permit is required to enter the watershed areas around Canadice and Hemlock Lakes, no matter what you are doing there. There is no swimming and the area is regularly patrolled (especially the posted areas).

Watershed Visitor Permits, issued by the Dept of Environmental Service Water Bureau, are available at a kiosk at the north end of Hemlock Lake (at Hemlock Lake Park). The self-serve kiosk is open 24 hours a day and the free permit is valid until the year's end. The permits have maps and other information.

Directions to obtain a Watershed Visitor Permit: If heading south on NYS Route 15A, go through the town of Hemlock. The entrance to the Hemlock Lake facilities and Hemlock Lake Park will be the first right out of town. Turn right into the park onto Rix Hill Road. The kiosk looks like a minature water tower (a cylindical, sky-blue object with a white top about 10 foot tall and 10 foot in diameter). The free permits are available inside.

The permit has an associated map that should help in finding of some trails and public areas to walk within the Canadice and Hemlock lakes region. Viewing exists at the outlets and boat launches (which also have port-a-john facilities) which are clearly marked on the kiosk maps.

After getting a Watershed Visitor Permit, one should investigate Hemlock Lake from the park, and from the outlet stream to be sure all edges have been covered. Purple Martins and other swallows may congregate at the north end of Hemlock during July. Turkey Vultures roost near the water facility. Osprey attempted to nest on power lines but was discouraged. A nesting platform may produce a nest in the future. Cliff Swallows formerly nested under the outlet bridge. Summering Common Loon has been seen here. Raptors may be seen being funneled down the ridges. By the Watershed Visitor Permit kiosk, is a drive heading south paralleling the lake. At the end is a public boat launch and another viewing opportunity (and oftern boaters and fishermen).

Leaving the north end of Hemlock Lake, one should travel down Route 15A to the south end of Hemlock Lake. Immediately after the Livingston County sign, the guard rail ends. Turn right into the dirt parking area. A large red sign here warns of having a visitor's permit. Head north along the dirt road. Summer breeders here can be interesting. Pine, Hooded and Blackburnian Warbler are just three of the more interesting birds nesting here. Travel to the end, where a parking area exists. The lake can be viewed from here. An adult Bald Eagle or two can usually be seen from this area perched in a large tree on the far hillside. When water levels are low (such as after a long summer drought), the shorebirding can be quite good here. Glossy Ibis has been found here as well. A nature trail extends north from the parking area and can be birded for several miles.

Another spot to check is the Hemlock Lake inlet. Returning to the paved road, turn right (south). After about a half mile or so, a semi-hidden trail enters into the inlet area. A large gray gate marks the trailhead. This trail heads into the cattail marsh area. Nesting marsh birds, such as rails and bitterns, and potentially N. Harriers and other goodies may be found here.

The entire area around Canadice Lake can be birded as well, provided one has a Watershed Visitor Permit. Most of the east side of the lake is visible from the road. One can park and walk from the north end of Canadice Lake to the water. Shorebird habitat can exist here as well. The trails can be hiked, too.

"Canadice Falls" is located 0.4 miles south of Burch Hill Road. The trail is not marked, nor easily seen from the road, but the reflector marking the road edge/culvert might be seen beneath the vine tangles. Head east up the hill along the north edge of the stream to listen for summer breeders. Winter Wren, Louisianna Waterthrush, White-throated Sparrow, and Broad-winged Hawk have been located near here.

Purcell Road, Lawrence Hill Road and Hollow Road provide habitats that look great for Yellow-Breasted Chat, and they often hold Blue-Winged Warblers (perhaps a hybrid too), Chestnut-Sided Warblers among the many Indigo Buntings and Gray Catbirds. Both cuckoos are possible.

There is a single farm on Coykendall Road with a few red barns and a pond. The barn on the north side of the road has been the home of a small Cliff Swallow colony (perhaps less than five nests) for decades. In decades past, Clay-colored Sparrow was found around this area, and it is still possible.

Facilities: The restrooms at the north end of the lake at the park are closed during the winter months. There is a port-a-john at the end of the drive at the south end of the lake.

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, blocks B1, C1.

NYS DEC Areas

NYS owns some areas that are maintained by the DEC and are labelled as Multiple Use Areas. This means anybody can use the land within the limits of the law (read as fishing, trapping, hiking, hunting, guns and dogs). Of course, in the off-season (aka spring and summer), the only likely people to be there (if anyone), is hikers.

Directions:

Hi-Tor Wildlife Management Area: This large area is at the south end of Canandaigua Lake. Many access points exist into the area is just north of Naples, off NYS Routes 21 or 245. The Eaton Birding Society has a nice web page (with maps) describing this site.

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, block C3.

Stid Hill Multiple Use Area: This hilly area is in the "Bristol Hills." It is located on the east side of NYS Route 64 across just south of the Bristol Mtn Ski resort. From NYS Route 5 and 20, head south onto NYS Route 64 for a few miles.

NYS DeLorme Atlas page 58, block C2.

Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area: Refer to the Conesus Lake site description.

NYS DeLorme Atlas page page 57, block C7.

Nearby Birding

This should be plenty to occupy your time and driving abilities. The closest site not described above is Doran Road in Lima. Marrowback Road between Springwater and Livonia (between Hemlock and Conesus Lake) is mentioned briefly due to the excellent habitat and birding potential on that road.

State Resources Online

A description and map of the Honeoye Creek, Stid Hill and Hi-Tor Wildlife Management Areas are 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.

The descriptions/maps to the boats launches and state parks (Honeoye Lake, Conesus Lake, Harriet Hollister, High Tor) are sponsored by NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation .

This page was last updated on 18 April 2001.

Comments or questions regarding this page should be sent to Webmaster.
Copyright, © Kurt Fox, 1999-2001.
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