Spring Pond Bog
Boreal Birding
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Join Joan Collins for a hike to scenic Spring Pond Bog. One of the most popular birding destinations in the Adirondacks and a designated “Important Bird Area” (IBA), Spring Pond Bog is the second largest bog in the New York State. This Adirondack Nature Conservancy property contains diverse habitats and bird species. Wetlands, bogs, boreal forest, mixed and deciduous forests, and areas growing back from logging activity, can all be found at this Tupper Lake property. Spring Pond Bog is a primary study site for Spruce Grouse researchers in the Adirondacks. Eighteen warbler species breed in this area including Northern Waterthrush, Mourning, Palm, and Canada Warblers. Other boreal species include Common Loon, Northern Goshawk, Black-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, and Alder Flycatchers, Philadelphia Vireo, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and the increasingly rare Spruce Grouse.
The hiking trail to Spring Pond Bog gradually climbs through a hardwood forest to a glacial esker. There is a boardwalk loop to the right of the esker that takes visitors into the bog for close-up views of plant and bird life. The trail is less than a mile long. We will make a couple other stops and hike along level dirt roads in boreal forest within the Spring Pond Bog complex. Bring food (lunch), water, appropriate attire/hiking shoes, binoculars, hat, sunscreen, and insect spray. Meet at the Geiger Arena parking area in Long Lake at 7 a.m. for transportation to the trailhead on Long Lake’s “Little Bus”! There is a restroom at the Geiger Arena. Register by calling the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department at 518-624-3077. This field trip is jointly sponsored by Northern New York Audubon and the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department. There is a maximum of 15 participants.
