Where would you head if you wanted to commune with nature in November? November is hunting season, so hiking a trail may not be the safest option. Why not grab your binoculars and head out along the Seaway Trail to spot some unusual birds?
The Niagara River area would be a good place to try and find rare gulls, a northern gannet or maybe a red phalarope. Try the Sodus Bay area for a common loon, a red-throated loon, or a purple sandpiper. Or, wander up to Henderson Harbor to spot grassland raptors, a golden eagle and grebes.
How, you might ask, did I get so smart – knowing what I might see in November at specific locations? I cheated. I relied on birding experts Gerald Smith, Willie D’Anna, Jerry McWilliams, and David Semple who co-wrote a new guidebook “Birding The Great Lakes Seaway Trail.” In gorgeous full color, it details the best birding sites all along the Seaway Trail and gives charts on the volume of birds to be expected each month, and even what species you’re likely to find. It’s a valuable resource for anyone to use in planning a bird watching trip along the northern coastline of New York State.
The Seaway Trail isn’t a “trail” in the real sense of a hiking or biking pathway. It’s a road-route – one of America’s Byways – that stretches 518 miles from the western edge to the eastern tip of the northern border of New York State. It follows Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Along the way are bays, parks, wetlands, preserves, and harbors that can keep bird watchers busy for a very long time. The guidebook leads you to the best of these locations for birding, even providing GPS coordinates.
There is ample opportunity to hike and canoe or kayak, but this field guide doesn’t provide details for that. It excels at pointing you to the right locations and right time of year for finding specific birds. It’s a must-have resource for anyone heading to the Seaway Trail region for a day trip or a vacation who’s interested in birds. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an experienced birder, you’ll find information of value. “Birding The Great Seaway Trail” can be purchased for $19.95 at www.seawaytrail.com.
If you explore the Seaway Trail between May and October, plan to stop at the Discovery Center in Sackets Harbor. It’s located in the historic Union Hotel (circa 1817) and offers exhibits on maritime history, the War of 1812, lighthouses, natural history, agriculture & much more. Plus, throughout the year they offer special programs. Details can be found at www.seawaytrail.com.
