Birding the Hudson Valley

The places listed below are all within an hour and a half drive from Lenoir in Yonkers. The habitats are varied; each attracts different specialties. We’ve listed what we like especially about each place. Each has an eBird hotspot; that will give you a list of birds seen and when, in addition to a map and directions. Web sites, phone numbers listed if available.

Happy birding!

Piermont Pier

31 Ferry Rd, Piermont, NY 10968
A pier which juts out into the Hudson; in winter and early spring, good waterfowl viewing. At low tide, the mudflats to the south of the pier are exposed; a good time to go. It has been known to attract rarities such as the Snowy Owl and the Ivory Gull.
eBird hotspot

Hook Mountain State Park

N Route 9W, Nyack, NY 10960
A hike up to Hook Mountain in the fall or spring will bring you to a great hawk watch. Look for Broad-winged Hawks the third weekends in April and September. Falcate Orangetip butterflies are also found here.
eBird hotspot / web site

Rockland Lake State Park

299 Rockland Lake Rd, Valley Cottage, NY 10989
The place to find birds is around the lake. There's a trail around it, easily accessed from any of the parking fields. To avoid the crowds using the recreational facilities, plan to go in cold weather or early in the day.
eBird hotspot

Doodletown Road

Route 9W/Route 202, Stony Point, NY 10986
This is where everyone goes to find their Hooded and Cerulean Warblers for the year. This area host many breeders and migrants. Best time is in May and very early June. It’s an uphill walk from the parking areas, but you should start to see and hear birds almost immediately. Make sure you bring something to drink if it’s warm. If you want the best looks at Cerulean visit in early May when they are more likely to be down lower. As the height of the breeding season nears, the males will be singing high in the trees and you may only see the bottom of them. Occasionally Golden-wing and Kentucky Warblers breed here. Other common birds include American Redstart, Blue-wing Warbler, Scarlet Tanager and Indigo Bunting. Check the streams for Louisiana Waterthrushes. The upper reaches of the trails hold Worm-eating and Chestnut-sided Warblers. Check the skies for both Turkey and Black Vultures along with Common Ravens. There's a small sign marking the beginning of the foot path up the hill; there is parking on dirt areas of 9W. You will probably see some cars already there.
eBird hotspot

Ironwood Road

299 Ironwood Dr, Tuxedo Park, NY
(within Sterling Forest State Park, 116 Old Forge Rd, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987)
The end of Ironwood Road and the power lines which cross it are the best place to find Golden-winged Warblers, which breed here. Late spring and summer you may find Alder Flycatcher, Cerulean Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A pair of Yellow-breasted Chats have bred at the southern end of the power line trail from Ironwood Road. Ticks can be plentiful so make sure to spray and check yourself after your walk.
(845) 351-5907 / eBird hotspot / web site

Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge

1547 County Rd 565, Sussex, NJ 07461 and Liberty Loop Trail, 169 Oil City Rd, Pine Island, NY 10969
Often known as the Black Dirt Region, because of the deep organic muck exposed when the wetlands were drained for agriculture. Seasonal hunting is permitted in the Wallkill NWR, but never on the Liberty Loop Trail. The eBird hotspot is for Liberty Loop Trail.
/ eBird hotspot /

Bashakill Wildlife Management Area

30 Haven Rd, Wurtsboro, NY 12790
It's the largest freshwater wetland in the area. It is home to Virginia Rail, Sora, and both Least and American Bittern. These marsh birds and many other can be heard at dawn on Haven Road and in many other spots in spring and summer. Whip-poor-wills can be heard at night nearby. Both Willow and Alder Flycatchers breed here and this is the spot to listen and learn their songs. Osprey and Bald Eagle breed here. Other common sought after birds include Swamp Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Cerulean Warbler, and Golden-winged Warbler. Over 3000 acres; best in spring and summer; hunting permitted in fall. One eBird hotspot is below; but there are 9 others distributed through Bashakill WMA.
/ eBird hotspot /

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge

902 Hoagerburgh Rd, Wallkill, NY 12589
A visit in late spring and summer will yield grassland species such as Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Savannah Sparrows and sometimes Upland Sandpiper, Red-headed Woodpecker, Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows. A visit in winter can yield Rough-legged Hawks and Short-eared Owls. Best time to see the Short-eared Owl flying: at dawn or dusk.
/ eBird hotspot /