Miscellaneous Niagara County Locations

Directions: From the I-190, exit at the Niagara Falls International Airport, head east on Packard Road to Lockport Road (County Road 6). Turn right (east) onto Lockport Road (County Road 6) and drive past the airport. About 1/4 mile east of Walmore Road is Inducon Drive East.

Warning: The Short-eared Owls are very skittish and flushed when approached too closely. It is recommended any attempt to observe these birds be done in late afternoon so as to avoid disturbing their roosting period.

Directions:

Viewing is limited to three access points and you must park near the base and walk up the impoundment. To get the reservoir:

• The Southwest corner at Reservoir State Park (the most heavily used park in Niagara County). Part of the Reservoir State Park is an overlook for the Robert Moses Plant Reservoir. Reservoir State Park is located at the intersection of NYS Route 31 and NYS Route 265 (Military Road), six miles from Niagara Falls. From the I-190, take the Whitmer Road Exit (NYS Route 31) (Exit 24). Turn east onto Whitmer Road (NYS Route 31). At the first traffic light, turn left onto Military Road (NYS Route 265). Go about a tenth of a mile to the entrance to Niagara Falls Memorial Park (A cemetery on Old Military Road - a dead end-street). Turn right into the park and proceed to the base of the reservoir. Park at the turnaround and walk up the hill to reservoir. Alternatively, take the next right after Niagara Falls Memorial Park at the Power plant entrance; do not proceed all the way to the power plant gates, but turn right into the sledding hill parking lot and walk up the embankment to the reservoir.

• North side on Upper Mountain Road. Look for a sign for the fire hall on the south side of Upper Mountain Road. Go to the fire hall and park there. Note : You have to turn onto another road (Moyer Road?) to get to the fire hall. Since the path goes straight up on this side it is probably very difficult to climb when snow covered.

• East side on Garlow Road on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation and is not recommended for that reason.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are regular in winter. Wintering Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been found in the park. Pine Warbler was confirmed breeding in the summer of 2001, and has been found in winter on at least one occasion. Other birds seen in past winters to keep an eye out for include Long-eared Owl, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, Winter Wren, Rufous-sided Towhee, and Pine Siskin. A skulking Townsend's Solitaire was present here from Dec 2001 to Feb 2002.

Directions:

From the Robert Moses Parkway in Lewiston, take NYS Route 104 East for about 5 miles to Dickersonville Road (Or, from the NYS Route 104 exit from I-190 in the Village of Lewiston, proceed east about 4 miles to Dickersonville Road). A church is on the southeast corner of NYS Route 104 and Dickersonville Road. Turn right (south) at Dickersonville Road (on County Road 116). The road will soon bend sharply to the east/left (becoming Lower Mountain Road) and climb up the escarpment. Pass Blacknose Spring Road which intersects steeply and at a sharp angle on your right. Proceed until the top of the incline (about 200 yards past Blacknose Spring Road). An uneventful dirt lane is on the right. Pull over here without blocking the road or lane. An old, white "No Trespassing" sign at entrance is for vehicles only - foot traffic is allowed. This is one entrance to Bond Lake to West Meyers Lake and East Meyers Lake. The main entrance to Bond Lake County Park (and Bond and Thaler Lakes) is about a half mile to the east of the dirt lane.

Most birders access Bond Lake via the dirt lane. Walk down the lane past where there is water on both sides (150 yards or so). These are West Meyers Lake and East Meyers Lake respectively. Bird around these lakes and the small orchard just south of East Meyers Lake. To access another good area of the park, continue down the lane to the large orchard and turn right. Walk about 200 yards to a path over the ditch on your right.

Description and directions courtesy of a Willie D'Anna's GeneseeBirds-L post.

Joseph Davis State Park

Directions:

From Buffalo: Take I-190 north, go past first Robert Moses exit. Get off at last exit (just before bridge into Canada). Go right on "Loop" and follow to fork in the road. Follow the sign that reads "Robert Moses-Fort Niagara." Exit at Pletcher Rd.

Goat Island

At Terrapin Point, Peregrine Falcon may be perched along the gorge rim as a pair has nested on the gorge wall the last few years.

Additionally, gulls and odd waterfowl can sometimes be viewed from here, although trees may obstruct the views.

Access Restrictions:

The vehicular bridge onto Goat Island is closed for construction during summer 2002. You must park on the American side and walk across the pedestrian bridge.

Directions:

From the south, exit Grand Island onto the Robert-Moses Parkway. Take it all the way to the state park entrance (3.1 miles). From the state park boundary, drive 0.7 miles to the vehicular bridge.

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