Grab your binoculars! Birdwatching season is in full swing in our neck of the woods.

By Catie Keller

(Above: Photo by Bill Annis, Buffalo Audubon Society)

There are over 380 species and 25 subspecies of birds within Western New York, and plenty of birdwatchers to go around! Folks of all ages have a growing appreciation for our feathered companions, even if it’s just seeing a blue jay or robin outside our window.

The spring migration season is upon us, peaking throughout April and May. Luckily, New York state sits along the infamous Atlantic Flyway, giving us the perfect chance to see a rarer species we may never have seen before.

For those looking for more information about birdwatching, Buffalo Audubon provides plenty of bird-watching events, including eagle watches and toddler-friendly hikes, for fellow lovers and aficionados alike. Anyone who is excited for the raptor migration can check out the local hawk watch in Hamburg, where they have an official counter operated by volunteers. In addition, the Buffalo Ornithological Society offers a variety of programs and field trips to parks all over WNY, for anyone interested in learning more.

Grab your binoculars, bird journal and camera before you check out these trails! 

Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park

Settled along the Buffalo River, there is a 15-acre park in West Seneca, with a nature-based playground toward the front of the park and plenty of space to wander. A popular spot for birdwatchers, some of the birds that can be found here are great blue herons, Cooper’s hawks, bald eagles, chickadees, cardinals, woodpeckers and common mergansers. Back in the summer of 2023, a rare, young roseate spoonbill was spotted at the park, most likely migrating from its home on the Gulf Coast. Beavers and snapping turtles also frequent the area, and there is plenty of healthy lichen adorning the trees to admire.

The trails have very little elevation and are family-friendly — a great place to admire the wildflowers and tranquility of nature. The park also offers kayaking and fishing in the summer, as well as snowshoeing in the winter.

Birdsong Park Nature Trail

This hidden gem in Orchard Park is the perfect, quiet getaway to take a stroll and observe nature. Featuring a 1.4-mile loop trail with birdhouses and bat houses among the trees, a free little library by the entrance and a small lake that provides fishing access, this is the ideal spot to spend a peaceful afternoon. 

Their boardwalk, gravel and paved trails have very little elevation, and leashed dogs are allowed on the park grounds.

Animals that can be seen include deer, beavers, turtles, herons, woodpeckers, Cooper’s hawks, owls, juncos, mourning doves, robins, sparrows, wrens, blue jays, goldfinches and mallards.

Anne Mae Bacon Bird Sanctuary

Initially developed as a victory garden post-WWII, then acquired in 1963 in honor of Anne Mae Bacon, also known as “The Bird Lady of Hamburg.” She was a botanist and local science teacher who rehabilitated injured birds and planted species designed to attract them.

This wonderful 0.3-mile loop trail in Hamburg runs along Eighteen Mile Creek, giving visitors the perfect chance to become immersed in the sounds of nature.  

While dogs are not allowed, some of the animals that can be spotted include sparrows, woodpeckers, robins, cardinals, blue jays, great blue herons, wild turkey and the occasional bald eagle. Coyotes can also be found within the sanctuary. You may even spot a fairy house or two along the way!

With a variety of mature trees, the sanctuary transforms into an enchanted forest during the holiday season, adorned with lights. Be sure to make a mental note to stop by next winter!  

DeWitt Recreation Area

Tucked away in Batavia, this 64-acre park contains a one-mile loop trail around DeWitt Pond, where people come to ride bikes, hike, ice skate, cross-country ski and birdwatch.

The trail is relatively flat and open year-round, where visitors enjoy walking their dogs and often go fishing for bluegills, perch, bullhead, pumpkinseeds and brown trout. There is a fishing dock, boat launch and playground, along with multiple viewing points along the trail to marvel at the wildlife.

Mallards, great blue heron, swallows, turtles, beavers, foxes, deer, frogs, opossums, small and largemouth bass, carp and sunfish can be easily spotted in the area. There are also nest boxes specifically designed to encourage the bluebird population.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

Covering over 10,000 acres of vast grasslands and wetlands surrounded by forestry, this sanctuary in Alabama, N.Y. is home to many migratory birds, including swans, ospreys, bald eagles, hawks, egrets, chickadees, sparrows, herons, a variety of warblers and meadowlarks.

Open year-round, the refuge boasts at least five trails ranging from 1 to 3.5 miles, all with low elevation between 16 and 52 feet, and two wheelchair-accessible trails. There are four overlook areas for optimal viewing, and leashed dogs are permitted on the park grounds. The refuge also includes a paddling route for those interested in kayaking.

There are a variety of different events offered here, including birding walks and Birds on Wheels tours. Other animals that are often spotted include bats, snowshoe hares, Southern flying squirrels, foxes, porcupines, raccoons, beavers, mink, weasels and the occasional coyote.

Be sure to visit the eagle nests at the Cayuga Overlook!

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Positioned in the middle of a major bird migration route on the Atlantic Flyway, the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge has amazing viewing opportunities to see all kinds of feathered creatures. Many have only seen the refuge from the I-90, yet it makes a worthwhile stop when passing through Seneca Falls.

The Montezuma Wildlife Drive is open April 1 through November 30, and pedestrian traffic is permitted May 25 through August 15. It’s roughly 4 miles in length and gives visitors a chance to see Black Lake and the North Spring Pool. There are at least six trails ranging from 1 to 3 miles, spanning over about 10,000 acres, as well as dedicated fishing areas with kayak and boat launches. Dogs are not permitted on the trails to avoid disturbing wildlife.

An impressive number of animals can be spotted, including the infamous peregrine falcon, snapping turtles, muskrats, beavers, red and gray foxes and the occasional coyote. There’s also an Osprey Cam that visitors can check out, which shows a real-time view of an osprey nest, along with observation decks and an observation tower.

Well over 200 species of birds can be found here, which include:

Nine different species of hawks, green and great blue herons, cranes, bald eagles, woodpeckers, cardinals, warblers, egrets, six species of owls (including eastern screech, great horned, and snowy owls), pheasants, mockingbirds and purple finches, among many others.