Adirondack Birding:  Cedar Waxwing near the Paul Smiths VIC parking lot (1 June 2013)

Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
Beginning Birder Workshop
1 June 2013

Adirondack Wildflowers:  Clintonia in bloom at the Paul Smiths VIC (1 June 2013) Adirondack Habitats: Mixed forest on the Barnum Brook Trail (1 June 2013) Birds of the Adirondacks:  Cedar Waxwing near the VIC parking lot (1 June 2013) Adirondack Wildflowers: Canada Mayflower on the Barnum Brook Trail (1 June 2013) Adirondack Wetlands:  Barnum Brook and Barnum Bog (1 June 2013) Butterflies of the Adirondacks:  Arctic Jutta on Barnum Bog (1 June 2013) Adirondack Wildflowers: Buckbean on Barnum Bog (1 June 2013) Adirondack Wetlands: Barnum Pond from the Boreal Life Trail overlook (1 June 2013) Adirondack Wildflowers:  Wild Sarsaparilla on the Boreal Life Trail (1 June 2013) Adirondack Wetlands:  Saint Regis Mountain and Heron Marsh (1 June 2013) Birds of the Adirondacks:  Common Merganser on Heron Marsh (1 June 2013) Birds of the Adirondacks: Ovenbird singing near the VIC parking lot (1 June 2013)
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Adirondack Birding Center Director Brian McAllister led a Beginning Birder Workshop on 1 June 2013. The workshop was part of the 2013 Great Adirondack Birding Celebration. The event began at 7:00 AM, when we met at the Paul Smiths VIC building, for an introductory briefing covering birding guides, optics, and the art of recognizing bird sounds. Then we headed out for a field trip which included a walk on the Boreal Life Trail and the Barnum Brook Trail. We saw or heard a total of 34 species. Highlights of the four-hour walk included some excellent views of an Ovenbird (often heard but seldom seen) near the VIC parking lot -- always a birding hot spot. We also had some good views of a Palm Warbler on Barnum Bog. Toward the end of the walk, we were treated to the unusual sight of a group of four American Bitterns, repeatedly circling Heron Marsh, then flying up again, then settling back down again in the vegetation.

In the parking lot and near the VIC building, we saw or heard the following birds:

Winter Wren Ovenbird
Black-throated Green Warbler Red-Breasted Nuthatch
American Robin Blue-headed Vireo
Black-throated Blue Warbler Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler Red-eyed Vireo
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Hairy Woodpecker
Cedar Waxwing Blue Jay


On the Boreal Life Trail, we saw or heard the following birds:

Northern Parula Ovenbird
Blue-headed Vireo Winter Wren
American Robin Cedar Waxwing
Golden-crowned Kinglet Black-throated Green Warbler
Blue Jay Black-throated Blue Warbler
Red-eyed Vireo Blackburnian Warbler
White-throated Sparrow Common Grackle
Nashville Warbler Palm Warbler
Wood Duck Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Song Sparrow Magnolia Warbler
Hermit Thrush Common Yellowthroat
Olive-sided Flycatcher Broad-winged Hawk
Lincoln's Sparrow Brown Creeper


On the Barnum Brook Trail, we saw or heard the following birds:

Blackburnian Warbler Ovenbird
Blue Jay Common Merganser
Red-winged Blackbird Common Yellowthroat
Hermit Thrush American Bittern
Chimney Swift Tree Swallow
Broad-winged Hawk Northern Parula
Nashville Warbler American Robin
Black-throated Green Warbler  


We also observed the following wildflowers and flowering shrubs in bloom, including:

Clintonia Canada Mayflower
Wild Sarsaparilla Starflower
Buckbean Bunchberry
Bog Laurel Labrador Tea
Pink Lady's Slipper  

 

Explore the VIC

The Paul Smiths VIC offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year to educate and inform Adirondack Park residents and visitors about the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains. You can help support these programs by joining the Friends of the VIC. More information on Friends of the VIC memberships

Explore the Trails

The VIC trails are free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, spring through fall. In winter, the trails are open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers for a fee. Day or season passes may be purchased.