Thermal currents and flyways along Lake Erie, heavily forested areas, acres of protected wetland preserves, and open fields provide ideal conditions to host a variety of species year-round, during breeding seasons and migration periods across the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region. The Portage Escarpment, also referred to as the Chautauqua Ridge, is one of the defining features of our region; a clear divide that marks the boundary between the Allegheny Plateau, 1,000 ft. to 1,800 ft. elevation, and the Great Lakes Basin, 572 ft. to 850 ft. elevation, thereby providing two different habitats and a diverse birding population.
Audubon Community Nature Center
The Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) in Jamestown manages 570-acres for biodiversity which serves to attract a wide variety of birds. Forests, wetlands, and fields are navigable via five miles of trails with overlooks and photo blinds at prime birdwatching locations. The overlooks give enthusiasts the ability to look out over marshes and ponds, the latter of which are managed for migration – lowered for sandpipers in May and then raised for waterfowl and Tundra Swans in advance of autumn flyway activity.
Birdbanding and nest box programs give birders the chance to participate in wildlife management and monitoring. The programs kick-off in early spring, ahead of Warbler migration, and continue into summer and late fall. ACNC’s box program includes banding many of the nesting species.
Roughly 200 unique species have been identified at the Audubon Community Nature Center, which is home to an especially large population of Blue Birds, Rails, Soras plus nesting pairs of Bald Eagles.
The three-story Nature Center is an interesting space to explore, especially with children. There are live reptiles to meet, educational play spaces, plus an escape room designed for those between 8-12 years old in mind. Special events for all ages are held year-round.
Chautauqua Rails-to-Trails
Chautauqua Rails-to-Trails (CRTT) is a program designed to repurpose former railway corridors. CRTT is recognized as an outstanding habitat in the region and passes through woodlands, wetlands suitable for beavers and waterfowl, and one of the largest cattail marshes in the region. Nearly two hundred species of birds have been found here, including the rarities of Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, American Bittern and approximately 25 species of migrating and nesting warblers. The Ruffed Grouse, six species of nesting woodpeckers, Virginia Rail, Hooded Merganser, Blue-winged Teal, and in the spring, and Northern Waterthrush also call the area home.
College Park aka “The Hundred Acre Lot” and Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
The bird count at these neighboring locations is not especially high, but any birdwatching enthusiast visiting western New York must check them out. The site is home to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI); Roger Tory Peterson was the unparalleled American naturalist who illustrated and chronicled the natural world to the public in the 20th century. Over a long career that began with nature study in the seventh grade in Jamestown, New York, he observed, recorded and published for lay audiences the incredible beauty and diversity of plants and animals from North America and around the world. Curated exhibits highlight Roger's lifework as well as rotating natural history, art and photography exhibitions.
The building itself is an architectural landmark situated on 27 acres with walking trails adjacent to College Park, where there are more trails. These are the same woods that inspired a young Peterson and forever impacted the way we research and appreciate avian species and the natural world by making basic knowledge accessible to anyone with interest, even today! Peterson Field Guides are still in print and can be purchased at your favorite bookseller, or the Nature Store at RTPI.
Dunkirk Harbor on Lake Erie and Point Gratiot Park
Waterfowl flock to this urban habitat on Lake Erie, located inside the city limits of Dunkirk. Beaches, small wooded areas, and cliff faces jut into the lake. Sightings of more than 200 species have been recorded, including 14 species of gulls, 40 species of ducks, geese, swans, grebes, and loons, Bald Eagles, and more. The harbor, accessible via Dunkirk City Pier Park, is a very popular stop for species navigating the flyways during winter months.
The "Point," Point Gratiot Park, is one of the most visited regions in western New York by birders for spring migrants. Significant sightings include Orchard Oriole, Whip-poor-will, and over 30 species of warblers including Prothonotary, Prairie and Worm-eating. Red-headed Woodpeckers nest here. Point Gratiot park has ample parking, a playground, picnic shelter, and restroom facilities. The historic Dunkirk Lighthouse & Veterans Museum is located adjacent to the park and is worth touring during regular season hours.
Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail
The Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trails covers 24 miles between Sherman and Mayville, passing through 6 state forests and one-of-a-kind scenery that supports hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing throughout the year. Whalen Memorial, North Harmony, and Brokenstraw State Forests all have bird species counts exceeding 100. Several parking options lend themselves to convenient access to specific habitats of interest. The trail is only possible with the cooperation of private landowners, so please be particularly careful while on private lands. Hunting is allowed near sections of the trail. Identified species include the Cedar Waxwing, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Alder Flycatcher, the Gray Catbird, and more.
Lake Erie State Park
High bluffs overlook Lake Erie at this New York State Park. More than one hundred and fifty avian species have been identified at Lake Erie State Park, including the Red-breasted Merganser, several additional species of waterfowl, warblers, sparrows, finches, oriels, and more. The shoreline within the park covers nearly 3/4 of a mile, plus there are additional wooded hiking trails. The Shipwreck Bluff Disc Golf Course is an entertaining reprieve from birdwatching. Campsites including cabins, RV sites with hookups, and tent camping are available upon reservation.
Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake
Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake's 320 acres are situated at 1,308 feet above sea level, on one of the highest navigable bodies of water on the North America continent. One hundred and twenty species of birds have been recorded here. Hike the roughly 1-mile loop trail to the Tip of Long Point for an incredible panoramic view of Chautauqua Lake at lake-level. Common species to look for year-round and as seasons change include the Bufflehead Duck, Tundra Swan, Purple Martin, sparrows, warblers, and more.
Luensman Overview Park
On a clear day, one can look out across the broad sweep of Lake Erie to Canada’s Ontario Province on the far shore. Luensman Overview Park is where the spring hawk watch began before moving towards Ripley. Over 15 species of hawks were identified and the woodlands of this area provide an excellent spring migration and summer breeding spot for smaller birds. Migrating Bald and Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcon along with nesting Winter Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hooded Warbler and Hermit Thrush. The park has a one-mile interpretive nature trail, several viewing platforms, a large parking area, picnic pavilion, picnic tables and grills (some handicapped access), a well with hand-pump, and restroom facilities. The park is open May 15th to November 1st.
There is a similar overview park on the eastern side of Chautauqua County called Erlandson Overview Park. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 2,040 feet (second highest in the county), this 76-acre site offers a spectacular view of the surrounding hillsides, including Onoville Valley to the east, the Allegheny Mountains to the south, and Chautauqua Lake to the west. The park offers a 1.5-mile interpretive nature trail, as well as two viewing platforms, a covered picnic pavilion, toilet facilities and is also open May 15th to November 1st.
Ripley Hawk Watch
Spring brings thousands of hawks, eagles, vultures and other migrating birds over the Ripley Hawk Watch (RHW), designated an Important Bird Area by the Audubon. In their journey north to their nesting areas, these raptors pass through the corridor between the Lake Erie shore and the Allegany Plateau a few miles south of the lake. Since 1985, 21 species of raptors and vultures, including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Ospreys, and Peregrine Falcons, have been recorded. In all, the RHW has officially counted more than a quarter-of-a-million raptors since 1985 including several raptor rarities, such as swallow-tailed kites, Mississippi Kites, Ferruginous Hawks, and Swainson’s Hawks. The RHW also has observed non-raptor birds of considerable interest, including past sightings of Whooping Cranes, an incredible rarity in New York State. The New York State Audubon has noted that the RHW reports "the highest number of sandhill cranes on any migration flyway in the northeast."
Depending on weather conditions, during the season RHW observers operate one or several sites in the towns of Westfield and Ripley. The sites include Shorehaven on Route 5, about a mile east of Forsythe Road; Parker Road, just north of Barber Road; Creamery Road, just south of Barber Road; and the intersection of Creamery and Belson Roads.
The Ripley Hawk Watch (RHW) formally begins its season on March 15th. Between March 15 and May 15, the daily observations at the RHW can be viewed on the internet at HawkCount.org. Data from the RHW also is published annually in the journal Hawk Migration Studies.
Watts Flats Wildlife Management Area
This fine birding and wildlife area is shared with local hunters, including a spring turkey season. The site is located southeast of Panama off Rt. 474 to Rt. 35 south to Watts Flats and includes the Hill Higher State Forest. Official NYS DEC access points are in Niobe and Watts Flats. Located in the town of Harmony this site incorporates over 3000 acres of wildlife habitat. Drained by the Brokenstraw River, Watts Flats Wildlife Management Area is mainly a wetland shrub swamp and emergent marsh with a series of beaver ponds. Over 100 species of birds breed here. Nesting warblers include Canada, Yellow, Hooded, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, Chestnut Sided, and Blue-winged as well as Swamp, Song and Savannah sparrows and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Nesting waterfowl include Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. The upper elevations of Hill Higher State Forest find nesting Blackburnian, Yellow-rumped, Magnolia and Black-throated Green Warblers; Purple Finchs and Dark-eyed Juncos; Golden-crowned Kinglets, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Brown Creepers.