"Groveland Flats"
The "Groveland Flats" is a nebulous area somewhere north of Dansville, but south of Geneseo. It is primarily the rich farmland of the Canaseraga Creek valley, but sometimes people include part of the area of the Genesee River Valley near Mount Morris. Long ago, part of this area was known as the Canaseraga Swamp with quite a variety of birdlife. The state, in the early 1970s gave up plans to purchase the lands to convert it into a wildlife sanctuary. Since then, drainage ditches have been built, as well as the Interstate-390, forever changing the habitat that once existed here. However, spring snowmelt coupled with spring rains ocassionally flood the valley and close cross-valley roads. Waterfowl can occur here in fairly large numbers. Tundra Swans sometimes use this area as a spring stopover. Winter may hold field birds, such as larks, buntings and longspurs. Spring and fall may produce sightings of shorebirds, as well as waterfowl. Ocassionally, gulls may forage here on their way north.Often times, the waterfowl is very distant from the road and are not easily seen. However, it is a quick jaunt and worht the stop to check on the way to Letchworth State Park, Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area, or perhaps on the way to Canaseraga, Ossian, or Sonyea State Forests.
Directions: The general area can be reached by taking the Mount Morris exit (exit 7) off the I-390. NYS Route 63 heads down the east side of the valley, while NYS Route 36 (and I-390) head down the west side of the valley. Few east-west roads cross the "flats" and many are now private farm roads.
Suggested "tour": Turn right (east) off the I-390 exit ramp. A hundred yards or so down the road, head south on NYS Route 63. The road immediately on the left borders an overgrown pasture full of wild rose bushes with rose hips. These bushes feed several Mockingbirds throughout the winter. Continue south on NYS Route 63. Pioneer Road (on the right) crosses the valley. It is not usually productive for waterfowl, but may produce field birds. In the town of Groveland Station, turn right (west) onto NYS Route 258. Check the farm fields all along this road for desired birds. The first bridge is Canaseraga Creek. Further along, you cross other birdges, but the largest is named West Ditch and often is the only one with waterfowl. One you reach NYS Route 36, turn left (south). Watch for waterfowl all along the road. Travel south several miles. White Bridge Road is a public road that crosses the valley. Again, check Canaseraga Creek for waterfowl. Once at NYS Route 63, turn north and watch for waterfowl in the "flats".
Livingston County Park
Livingston County Park is located in the town of Mount Morris. It contains
many large oak trees along the Genesee River, just north of
Letchworth State Park. In fact, parking near
the Mt Morris dam on the east side, the trail heading north on the Finger
Lakes trail eventually runs into Livingston County Park. It is quiet,
quite scenic and may hold migrating birds. It makes a nice stop in spring
and early summer.
Directions: Take the I-390 south to the Mt Morris exit (exit 7). Head west on NYS Route 408 into Mt Morris. Take note, you are heading for the large blue-green water tower (which is located in the park). At the traffic light, turn right (north) onto NYS Route 36. In a block or two on the left, you should see signs marking directions to the park. Just follow the signs to the park. There is no trail map for the park, but it is not too large. If you get "lost", look for the blue-green water tower.
Be aware that the road into Sonyea State Forest is a dead end (about 3 miles
in). The other side is the Sonyea Correctional Facility and unauthorized
access is prohibited.
Directions: Under construction.
Also of interest is a few farms ponds located in the vicinity. Further
east along NYS Routes 5 and 20, on the north side of the road, is a
farm pond that often holds hundreds of Canada Geese and Mallard Ducks with
a few other species intermixed in the fall. This held Livingston County's first Greater White-fronted Goose in teh fall/winter of 1999. Along, Poplar Hill Road (first
right past Twin Cedars) about a mile out, is another large farm pond
which can hold numbers of waterfowl.
Both of these sites are quickly and easily birded on the way to
Doran Road in Lima, or further south to the
Little Lakes Area (Hemlock, Canadice, & Honeoye Lakes).
Directions:
To reach Twin Cedars, take the NYS Route 5 and 20 exit (Avon exit 10) from
the I-390. Head east on NYS Route 5 and 20 for about one mile. The DEC
offices (rustic red) can be seen as you head down into the hollow. The
ponds are located on the right just as the road starts heading up the other
side of the hollow.
This page was last updated on 18 April 2001. Comments or questions regarding this page should be sent to Webmaster.
Sonyea State Forest
This state forest differs from the others in Livingston County, primarily
because it is lower in elevation and is primarily decidous, rather than
coniferous forest. Mature woods in unbroken tracts can hold some of the
summer breeders requiring more woods. The neighboring farm fields can prove
interesting for field brids as well.
Twin Cedars
Twin Cedars is the name of the DEC Environmental Education Center located
in East Avon. Twin Cedars has two ponds and a small nature trail. The
ponds can hold numbers of waterfowl and a few interesting birds might be
seen here.Best Birding
Each site described above has its own habitat and its best birding.
Please refer to the sites above for more information.
Copyright, © Kurt Fox, 1999-2001.
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