The Town of Long Lake hosts a Winter Birding Weekend the last weekend of January with expert birder and certified guide, Joan Collins. This is one of the best hidden gems in the Long Lake area. Joan is an incredible talent and guide and with knowledge on where to find the birds, what they are eating, and the best places to spot them.
The weekend was a success with Joan and her group spotting a total of 25 species (22 on Saturday, 1/28/23, and 11 on Sunday, 1/29/23) by visiting the following areas: On Saturday, we visited Keene Valley; Keene; Saranac Lake; Tupper Lake; and Sabattis Road in Long Lake. On Sunday, we visited Overlook Park in Newcomb (twice); Route 28N locations including the barn area and spot up the hill from the railbed – both in Minerva, and Hyslop Marsh in Newcomb; Tahawus Road in Newcomb; and the Blue Ridge Road in N. Hudson.
Saturday, January 28th, 2023
Mallard – 4! In Saranac Lake
Wild Turkey
Bald Eagle .
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Canada Jay – 10 (8 at Sabattis Bog & 2 along Route 30 – Long Lake)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Bohemian Waxwing – ~200!!! in Keene Valley at intersection of Route 73 and Route 9N.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling – Tupper Lake
Evening Grosbeak – Many!
Pine Grosbeak – Large flock (~30) flew over calling as we watched the Bohemian Waxwings; and another flyover flock as we drove toward Lake Placid on Route 73.
House Finch – 14 in Saranac Lake (not common in the mountains!)
Pine Siskin – 1 at the Keene feeder
American Tree Sparrow – Keene feeder
Dark-eyed Junco – Keene feeder
Northern Cardinal – Keene feeder
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Bald Eagle – Adult on carcass off the Long Lake Beach.
Black-backed Woodpecker – Male at Sand Pond Marsh area off the Blue Ridge Road in N. Hudson. Nice views!
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker – Up the hill from the Roosevelt Truck Trail off Route 28N in Minerva.
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet – Nice views along Tahawus Road (many left this winter, so they are not common)
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Evening Grosbeak – Many!
Pine Grosbeak – ~21 (1 perched and calling along Route 28N in Newcomb and ~20 near the barns in Minerva off Route 28N eating conifer buds – nice views!)
For more information on Joan Collins and her guiding, check out her website www.adirondackavianexpeditions.com
