Mendon Ponds Park

Rating

Fall	Winter
Spring	Summer

Site history/background

Of the many county parks, Mendon Ponds is one of the few parks that has naturalists located at their nature center and a full- and part-time maintenance staff to keep the trails in good condition. The nature center offers mini-seminars on the park's features. The Mendon Ponds Nature Center phone number is (716) 334-3780.

Part of the park (550 acres) has been set aside as a nature preserve (the entire area south of Pond Road). Most of the park is well-used (lots of skiing trails, sledding hills, canoe access points, etc), but the 'nature preserve' area is not. A master plan is in place for the park, part of which addresses conservation. Part of the plan is to start an extensive mowing regimen to preserve the park's open areas. The plan is to mow in October (after the Am Goldfinches have nested). They have lots of area to mow, so all fields will be mowed on a three-year rotational schedule.

Additional Notes

Best Birding

Regular Specialties

Hand Fed Birds B.C. Chickadees, White- and Red-Breasted Nuthatches.

Fall/Winter Half-Hardy Species:

Great Blue Heron, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Bluebird (sometimes overwinters in park or nearby), Sora and Virginia Rails, Scarlet Tanagers, Yellow-Throated Vireos, Great-Crested Flycatchers have been recorded into late winter here.

Marsh Birds: Nesting Wood Ducks, Swamp Sparrow, a few Marsh Wrens, Least and American Bitterns

Noteworthy Records

Nesters:

Yellow-Breasted Chat; Sedge Wren; Pine Warbler; Henslow's, Clay-colored, Grasshopper, and Bachman's Sparrows (NYS #2 record - 1940)

Warnings:

Areas of interest

1. BirdSong Trail (good all year, but best, relatively, in winter)
BirdSong Trail is a much overrated birding location. Even so, no year would complete without a winter trip to Mendon Ponds Park to find winter birds and to lighten the heart by feeding the hungry begging Black-Capped Chickadees. The trailhead to BirdSong Trail lies behind the nature center and gift shop (which is open on weekends). The naturalists at the park have been feeding birds during the winter for nearly 25 years. The always-full bird feeders coupled with the natural berry bushes (and man-made plantings) and the thick shelter of dense honeysuckles have created a near ideal habitat for wintering birds.

If coming out in winter, dress appropriately, and do not forget black sunflower seed for the chickadees and the occasional red- and white-breasted nuthatches. The nature center offers free handfuls of seed to those who forget. The birds are hungriest in the early morning hours, especially after cold winter evenings with a dusting of snow. Saturdays are better than Sundays as spillage from Saturday visitors provides free "eats" to shy birds who are unwilling to land in the hand. The "winter finches" occur, but are not regular. Robins, which occasionally form large roosts in the park, usually can be seen eating berries, in addition to the other berry-eating half-hardy birds.

By mid-spring, most of the wintering birds have dispersed and birding is better in the other parts of the park. Return in late-May and early-June to listen for Blue-Winged Warblers and the regular, but shy, Black-Billed Cuckoos and the regular nesting E. Bluebirds.

2. A suggested birding-by-car tour (a nice drive late winter and early spring)
From Clover St (Route 65), turn into the middle entrance of the park onto Hopkins Point Road. Hopkins Point Road forks and the Pondview Shelter and the parking lot offers good views of One Hundred Acre Pond from the west side. When weather is bad on the lakeshore, bay and diving ducks, loons, terns, grebes and gulls can be seen on this pond. Early migrating swallows can be seen coursing over March waters.

Heading around One Hundred Acre Pond on the remaining stretch of Hopkins Point Road, a low swampy spot is present just past the open fields. This is a good spot to listen and search for Marsh Wrens, as well as the occasional rail. Next, turn right onto Canfield Road. View the north end of the pond from the Southside Pavillion parking lot which is the next immediate right. After looking for ducks, turn right out the parking lot onto Canfield again. Take the next right onto Douglas Road. There are three viewing options of One Hundred Acre Pond from the east side (Douglas Road); first is the former beach site, which may require getting out of the car; second is Stewart's Lodge, where viewing is limited by trees; and lastly is a cartop boat launch access road. This last viewing spot provides an unobstructed view and brings the water's edge right to the bumper. A lucky observer may see Double-Crested Cormorants, or perhaps even a migrating Osprey.

Retreating back onto Douglas Road, the next stop is Round Pond. A small turn-off/boat launch offers unobstructed viewing. Wood ducks are often seen if kayakers or canoeists are not present. Ring-Necked Ducks are frequently seen, and occasionally grebes as well. Marsh Wrens often nest in late-May through June in the cattails beside the pond. Heading around the turns, Douglas Road becomes Pond Road. Travel past Lookout Shelter. A small rise and a turnout on the right provides an elevated view of Deep Pond. Be sure to check the cattail swath at the water's edge for hidden ducks, rails and bitterns. An evening ride to this spot may produce night marsh sounds which likely include displaying C. Snipe. A slightly different view of Deep Pond can be seen by the Deep Pond parking lot near the Algonquin Shelter .

Other birding spots accessible by car in Mendon Ponds are limited. A roost of Robins and Starlings and a few other passerines (as well as feasting raptors, including Goshawk) has recently been occuring in the pines opposite Add-En-On Kennels in winter. The fields on either side (west or east) of Add-En-On Kennels may offer limited birding while in the car. The larger field may provide sightings of E. Bluebirds, Am. Kestrels, E. Meadowlarks and an occasional Wild Turkey or RN Pheasant. The smaller field may produce Brown Thrashers, and both Blue-Winged and Golden-Winged Warblers. Starting in mid-March, Am. Woodcocks can be heard roding over the hillsides near the Add-En-On parking area.

One last trip by car will produce Bank Swallows. Take the dead end portion of Douglas Road past Josh Lillie's grave and the house at the right. A gravel pit hosts the Bank Swallows and can be seen in season.

3. Lookout Shelter to Quaker Pond Outlet (a great walk all year long, but best, relatively, from early- to mid-spring for the ducks, rails and Am. Woodcock)
The trail along the east side of Quaker Pond provides many opportunities for birding. The entire area has been designated by the park naturalists as a nature preserve. Dogs and horses are not allowed. The trail was originally a fire access road and provides easy walking, although buggy and muddy in respective seasons.

The parking lot gate of Lookout Shelter is a great spot to feed chickadees in the winter without the crowds of BirdSong Trail. An Eastern Phoebe regularly nests near (usually in) the pavilion or the restrooms and can be heard singing in early spring. Winter finches and other winter birds can often be seen near the parking lot. Owls, Accipiters and Ruffed Grouse have been seen or heard from these pines on rare occasions.

Further along the trail, there is a swampy area and a natural spring on the left side of the trail known as the Irrigation Pond. Although is not more than 30 feet in diameter, this is an excellent spot for half-hardy species, as the water temperature at the spring is near 50F year round, is open late in the year, opens early in the spring and seldom freezes solid. Soras, Virginia Rails, Gray Catbird, and E. Towhee are seen late in the year and sometimes all year.

Heading south, the overgrown field on the hillside has recorded numerous wrens, E. Bluebirds, Blue-Winged Warblers and Bobolinks. "Brewster's" Warblers are regularly seen here and Golden-Winged Warblers are possible. Evenings in March and April are opportune times to listen (and hopefully view) the (sometimes numerous) peenting timberdoodles or a whirring Pheasant. The heavy brush along the trails are good hiding spots for various small passerines and the overabundant, raucous Red Squirrels. Willows are often perching places for blackbirds (including Rusty BBs in both Spring and Fall).

The next trail intersection past Irrigation Pond is known as the "Boat Launch" (although boats are no longer allowed on the pond). The north end of the pond can be viewed from the Boat Launch. Wood Duck boxes can be viewed from here (and at many locations throughout the park) as they are often present. Pied-Billed Grebes are often heard (and seen), as well as migrant ducks, teals and Am Coot. Green and Great Blue Herons are seen in trees, as well as on the water's edge. Swamp Sparrow are regularly seen here, occasionally in winter. An Osprey regularly spends a few days each spring in this area (as well as One Hundred Acre Pond). Eagles, N. Goshawks, DC Cormorants, Northern Harrier, Snow Geese and American Bittern have all been viewed from this spot.

Moving south again is more of the same: low brush by the pond and overgrown field on the hillside. Late spring and summer, this trail is engulfed in masses of bugs, swallows, Gray Catbirds and Yellow Warblers. The trail forks near the end. The right fork (main trail) leads to the outlet of Quaker Pond and offers good viewing. Lazily watching beautiful sunsets over the pond often finds one watching Beaver, Muskrats and sometimes Mink. (A Beaver dam is just below the bridge over the outlet stream). In season, one can feed corn to the fledging (Canada Geese) goslings, but take notice of the wary, hissing parents. The cattail reeds are prime spots for marsh wrens or rails, which are regularly heard in early spring.

The other fork (left), as mentioned above, leads to an open field. E. Bluebirds, and other field birds nest in this field. Further along this route leads to the outlet stream which drains into Irondequoit Creek and eventually Irondequoit Bay. Crossing the stream, a narrow footpath (to the left) off the main trail parallels the stream. This leads to another beaver dam. This stream freezes late and half-hardy species may be seen here as well. Sometimes, Turkey Vultures, Mockingbirds, Red-Tailed Hawks and Northern Shrikes can be seen in season.

One can head back to the car on the same trail back, or one can "take the high road." A higher trail parallels the lower trail all the way back. The aspens and hodge-podge of briars and deadfalls is excellent Yellow-Breasted Chat habitat. One can avoid the upcoming hills by turning left and heading back to the pond near the boat launch. Or, continue the high road through the field. The hill up to Pond Road, until very recently, was a regular location of Henslow's Sparrows. Sedge Wrens have been recorded here as well. Do not travel up to Pond Road, but continually take lefts. After a few rolling hills, one finds that the trail leads back to Irrigation Pond. Return as you came.

3A. Deep Pond (Algonquin Shelter) to Hopkins Point (Pondview Shelter) and Hundred Acre Pond (best done from early spring into summer)
This trail leads along the edge of Deep Pond and One Hundred Acre Pond and can be quite muddy in the spring. The outlet of Deep Pond leads back across Pond Road. Rails and bitterns have been viewed from this outlet by the parking lot. The pines near the parking lot may contain a screech owl or two.

Deep Pond is misnamed. It is rather shallow. Even so, it often attracts some diving ducks. The trail winds around Deep Pond. The hill on the left is a glacial deposit known as an esker. It winds along parallel to both Deep Pond and One Hundred Acre Pond. Warblers, vireos (especially yellow-throated), flycatchers (especially the great-crested) and scarlet tanagers can be seen along the esker. The bonanza of birds at the cattail edges of both ponds may contain rails, bitterns, herons, wood ducks, swamp and song sparrows as well as marsh wrens.

3B. West Esker (best done from early spring into summer)
On one side of the west esker are both Deep Pond and One Hundred Acre Pond. The other side of the west esker contains several swampy areas, including Devil's Bathtub and other swampy areas. A trail runs along the midriff of the esker, and a trail runs at the base of both sides. Although many trails criss-cross and intersect the trail with many ways to get on or off this trail, it is hard to get lost with the commanding view from the esker. The trails can be entered from either the pavilion at Hopkins Point, or near the gate near Clover Street on Hopkins Point Road. Another alternative is to combine this hike with the one traversing the edges of Deep Pond and One Hundred Acre Pond (see 3A above).

The "high" trail provides a treetop view of many large trees (oaks and maples) and distant and spectacular views of both Deep Pond and One Hundred Acre Pond. The views provided alone are worth the hike. The treetop view from the top of the esker is notable (although sometimes overrated) for providing views of migrating warblers without the back-breaking effect. The hollow near the Hopkins Point parking lot is a good spot for finding early warblers, including Pine and Palm Warblers as well. Check the oak woods here in mid-May for early Juvenals' Duskywing (a butterfly).

The swampy areas between the Hopkins Point Road and Devil's Bathtub may hold Nashville Warblers in breeding season. Pileated Woodpeckers can often be heard or seen in the vicinity. A lucky hiker may find a Mourning or Hooded Warbler in this area. Devil's Bathtub may hold wood ducks and perhaps a Pied-Billed Grebe or two. Birding can be productive here on windy days as the area is quite sheltered from prevaling winds.

[An alternative short hike may just encircle the swampy area and return back to the entrance near Hopkins Point Road. Once on the west side of the swampy area, the views overlook an old hayfield. This is good habitat for nesting grassland birds, including E. Meadowlarks, Am. Kestrels, Grasshopper and, possibly, and Henslow's Sparrows.]

4A. Woodchuck Hollow (Behind Cavalry Lodge) (best done from mid-spring into summer)
Cavalry Lodge is located on Douglas Road between Pond Road and Round Pond. It is a quick walk to the top of the east esker. Park in the parking lot at Cavalry Lodge being sure not to disturb the pavilion renters. Head east, into the brush.

One immediately finds a small, overgrown gravel pit. The broken habitat usually contains a Blue-Winged Warbler, Indigo Bunting or American Redstart. Just beyond the gravel pit is a small stand of black locusts. Thrushes, especially Hermit and Wood Thrushes, are regularly found here in spring and into the summer.

Uphill from here, a tall stand of pines exists from an old plantation planted years ago. Ovenbirds regularly sing from here. Blackburnian Warbler nest here as well. Great-Horned Owls regularly roost in the pines.

Just past the pines, the hill slopes down into a swampy spot known as Woodchuck Hollow. Woodchuck Hollow is surrounded by mature (but not old growth) hardwood trees. Mourning warblers have nested on this hillside before reaching the hollow. The tall hardwoods produce a classic decidous forest habitat. Ovenbirds, Hooded and Black-Throated Green Warblers regularly nest in the vicinity of Woodchuck Hollow. Scarlet Tanagers, vireos, Brown Creepers and other back-breaking birds reside here. If you just can not place the song of an unusual bird, think first of frogs as many species are found here.

At this point in the walk, one can turn around and return downhill toward the car for a quick hike. The alternative is to continue around Woodchuck Hollow to the south (right) and come out behind Add-En-On Kennels.

4B. The Fields of Add-En-On (best done from mid-spring into summer)
Add-En-On Kennels is located on Pond Road between Douglas Road and Mendon Center Road. Park on the west side of Add-En-On in the parking area. The field behind the parking area, although small, is quite productive. It may produce thrashers, several sparrows, E.Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings and both Blue-Winged and Golden-Winged Warblers or a hybrid. Starting in mid-March, Am. Woodcocks can be heard roding over the hillsides near the Add-En-On parking area. Take the trail straight back from the parking area. It will wind behind Add-En-On and enter into some pines.

On the far side of the pines, another large open expanse exists. This was an old gravel pit and remains an open field. A thin hedgerow separates it from the larger field seen from Pond Road. Both fields may produce field birds. The rim of the old gravel pit overlooks the tall decidous growth of Woodchuck Hollow. Many of the back-breaking birds seen in Woodchuck Hollow can be viewed from a more reasonable angle. The trail continues around the edge of the field and produces some nice vistas. It eventually winds itself down into Woodchuck Hollow. See above for a description of the birds seen there.

5. Quaker Pond - West Spit (fair at any time of the year)
This route is suggested as a trip, but it is not overly productive, nor overly scenic. It is a pleasant and peaceful walk that is often undisturbed by other park visitors and may be good for fall passerines. On the west side of Quaker Pond is a spit of land that juts out into Quaker. Local scouts have placed a wooden platform overlook onto the spit close to solid ground. This spot can be reached numerous ways: quickly from the fire road entrance on the west side of the park just south of Sheldon Road on Clover St, a slightly longer trip from the entrance of Mendon Center Road between Clover and Rt 251, as an extension of BirdSong Trail route (see above), as an extension of the Lookout Shelter route (see above), or as a round trip all the way around Quaker Pond. Any way to the spit of land provides a pleasant, quiet walk. The spit contains another viewpoint into Quaker Pond. Anything mentioned in the Lookout route can be seen here, but from a closer vantage point. This is the spot where the DC Cormorant and Bald Eagle perched for a few evenings. Ducks and herons are sometimes numerous.

If the fire road is taken, one traverses a plantation of pines. Great-Horned Owls roost here. Turkeys are frequently flushed from here. With all the pines, it is a likely habitat for "winter finches." The road and the pond parallel each other and sometimes funnel migrants up this edge (although never to the extent as on the lakeshore). Where the fire road meets quaker pond trail, the marsh can be seen. This is a great location to try to find half-hardy species. American Bitterns can regularly be heard singing their "Thunder Pumper" song in late April and the west spit provides a prime viewing spot.

Note: Many trails exist through the remainder of the park. They are not detailed here because they are generally unproductive. The trails over the east esker are much the same birding as Woodchuck Hollow. The trails behind the park headquarters are confusing (I have nicknamed them the "Labyrinth trails") and generally less productive than other parts of the park. The trails to the south of the One Hundred Acre Pond and to the east of Deep Pond are rather wet and unpassable even with large boots. The pines between the dead end part of Douglas Road and the water tower on Canfield Road has yet to prove to have more than three birds at any given time of the year. The trails between Canfield Road and Hopkins Point Road are not too productive. And when they are productive, one can bet that it is better birding on the other side of Hopkins Point, or down by Lookout Shelter. The area across the street from Add-En-On Kennels is pretty much barren and birdless until you reach the fields near Quaker Pond.

Directions

• From the North:
  From NY Route 31 (Monroe Ave), head south on NY Route 65 (Clover St). Travel south past I-90. The next three lefts are all entrances to the park.
• From the South:
  From NY Route 5 & 20, head north on NY Route 65 (Clover St). Travel through the town of Honeoye Falls and past NY Route 251. The next right is Mendon Center Road. The next three rights are all entrances to the park.

Nearby Birding

Powder Mill Park is close by over hill and dale. View a map (46KB).

Facilities

This page was last updated on 18 April 2001.

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Copyright, © Kurt Fox, 1999-2001.
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