Hudson River Audubon Society

Birding in Westchester
{under 100 species noted}

 The following parks, preserves and sanctuaries have eBird lists of under 100 species. Even small, and not as “birdy” as other places, they offer their own special rewards. Listed below, each is linked to a description, information and its eBird hot spot.

435 Welcher Ave, Peekskill, NY 10566
A county park consisting of 1,583 Acres. The park is mainly used by mountain bikers and has over 7 miles of trails. The property was originally part of Van Cortlandt Manor purchased by Stephanus Van Cortlandt in 1677 from the Indians. Entrance fee. Park pass reduces fee.
(914) 862-5275 / eBird hotspot / web site

Tuckahoe, NY
The Bronx River Parkway Reservation was the County's first parkland and it parallels the parkway. The area near the Crestwood Train Station is a productive areas.
From Crestwood Train Station walk south to the lake formed by the Bronx River. Warm months: Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Egret and Double-crested Cormorant; Eastern Kingbird, Yellow Warbler, Warbling Vireo, and Baltimore Oriole . Year round: Wood Duck. Winter: Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck.
Migrations: on mud flats, especially at dusk: Solitary, Spotted, Pectoral and Least Sandpipers. Flyovers dusk, night during migration: Common Nighthawk.
Another good section in winter is the river along Paxton Avenue, south of Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. This section rarely freezes and give the best chance to find Wood Duck in winter. Make sure you feed the meters in Bronxville.

Rt 133-Millwood Rd/Crow Hill Rd, Mt Kisco, NY 10549
A Saw Mill River Audubon owned sanctuary of 30 acres. Rocky oak woods and small red maple swamp.
(914) 666-6503 / eBird hotspot / web site

362-368 Whippoorwill Rd, Chappaqua, NY 10514
Also known as Glazier Arboretum Park; a 48-acre passive use property owned by the Town of New Castle. It features marked trails and a variety of habitats: open meadow, red maple swamp, open marsh and mature deciduous woodlands. Note: Continue on Whippoorwill Road past Whippoorwill Park (on the left at 0.6 miles) to a small gravel parking lot at 1.2 miles.
eBird hotspot

99 Briggs Ln, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520
A Saw Mill River Audubon Sanctuary of 30 acres. Oak woods, steep gorge, view of the Hudson River. At the end of Briggs Lane is small parking area. Trail access is up driveway and to the left along stone wall.
(914) 666-6503 / eBird hotspot / web site

99 Dromore Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583
This small 33-arce preserve is off Central Avenue in Scarsdale. There is a live animal museum, a discovery room, greenhouse, changing nature-arts exhibits, and a nature store. The grounds include a pond, orchard and gardens
(914) 723-3470 / eBird hotspot / web site

Mt Kisco, NY 10549
A Saw Mill River Audubon Sanctuary. Fourteen acres of woodland ridge in between Tripp Street and Sheather Road on the eastern edge of the Town of New Castle.
(914) 666-6503 / eBird hotspot / web site

156 Ridge Rd and 287 Ridge Rd, Hartsdale, NY 10530
Ridge Road Park The 170 acre park is not extensively birded. Westchester County Park Pass is required for admission; park has picnicking and recreational facilities.
(914) 946-8133 / eBird hotspot / web site
Hart's Brook Nature Preserve, across the street does not require a park pass and is where most local birders visit. New York State, Westchester County, and the Town of Greenburgh acquired the 123 acre Hart's Brook Nature Preserve, the former Gaisman Estate, in 1999. Part of the funds came from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond act. The preserve is open dawn to dusk. It has 2.5 miles of trails through primarily pristine woods with streams, ponds and meadows. In front of the parking lot is a semi open field; keep an eye out for nesting Eastern Bluebirds. The preserve has its own pair of Great Horned Owls; Screech Owls are present as well.
(914) 683-6708 / eBird hotspot

Taxter Rd, Elmsford, NY 10523 (GPS - try 222 Taxter Road)

Entrance on Taxter Road, 1.0 miles from Route 119. This small but interesting preserve just opened up a few years ago. It sits up top a ridge and can be considered a southern part of the famed Elmsford Ridge. Quiet in winter; this may be a great place for spring warblers and some breeding birds such as Pileated Woodpecker and Ovenbird.
eBird hotspot

712 Kitchawan Rd, Ossining, NY 10562
Kitchawan Preserve was previously a research station for the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. It is now owned by the Westchester County Parks system and is located in Ossining bordering the Croton Reservoir. The Preserve shares a driveway with the Warren Institute, 712 Kitchawan Road. Park in the first small lot. Do not trespass on the Institute's property or watershed property. Use extreme caution when exiting back onto Route 134 since the entrance/exit sits on an S curve.
(914) 231-4500 / eBird hotspot / web site

New Rochelle and Mamaroneck, NY
Best in winter when a variety of ducks may be found. Rarities have included Eurasian Wigeon. Parking and viewing areas are few due to housing and many private roads. One spot may be reached by taking Dillion Street off Boston Post Road, Route 1 in Larchmont. This turns into Pryer Manor Road. A small parking lot is available before the bridge crossing over the pond. A small marshy area of the creek can be productive. From Route 1, Boston Post Road in Larchmont, turn east onto Lorenzen Street. Park at ball field. The creek is on the right. A Field Fare was found near here in 1973. Nearby is Five Islands Park

South Entrance, 500 Mamaroneck Ave, Harrison, NY 10528

A trail system connects the southern section to the upland wooded northern part of the park, characterized by mature hardwood forests. The trails are popular with hikers, cross country skiers and horseback riders. The entire system extends along the Hutchinson River Parkway to Twin Lakes Park and north to Maple Moor Golf Course. It also links to the Leatherstocking Trail and Colonial Greenway and contains archeologically sensitive areas. The park contains an 18-hole golf course as well as a miniature golf course, the county’s largest swimming pool, a children’s aquatic playground and picnic areas. Westchester County Park Pass or county residence required. Parking fee. Trail map available on website.
(914) 995- 480 / eBird hotspot / web site

• Blue Mountain Park

• Bronx River - Crestwood Train Station

• Choate Audubon Sanctuary

• East Irvington Nature Preserve

• Glazier Preserve

• Graff Sanctuary

• Greenburgh Nature Center

• Haas Audubon Sanctuary

• Hart's Brook Park and Preserve

• Kitchawan Preserve

• Premium Mill-Pond

• Saxon Woods Park