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Birding Sites in the Finger Lakes

ONTARIO COUNTY

MaryFrances Bluebird Haven

Coordinates: 43.162°N 77.239°W

Map

Habitat: Dedicated as a nature preserve in memory of MaryFrances Butler by her husband, the property is now owned by the Town of Victor. It has a 1.1-mi./1.7-km. marked loop trail through a meadow with nest boxes used by bluebirds (a member of the thrush family) and tree swallows, bordered by woods. The trail passes by a pond where you will find ducks and geese. Hawks and owls that live in the woods have been seen feeding on rodents in the meadow. Keep your eyes open for meadow-nesting birds like savannah sparrows, bobolink, and meadowlarks. The woods will provide thrushes, warblers, vireos, chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers to name just a few.

Season: Bluebirds--the New York State Bird--begin hanging around nest boxes in March and, if the weather is good, will be nesting by April. They can have three broods per season and usually finish up by mid- to late-August. Consequently, spring and early to mid-summer are the best times to visit this site.

Access: The site is on county road 9, also known as Victor-Egypt Rd., in the Town of Victor, north of the Thruway. The property is on the east side of the road. There is a sign saying, "Welcome to MaryFrances Bluebird Haven." Park in the parking lot.

Notes: Cross-country skiing is permitted in the winter.

Nearby birding sites: Conveniently located directly across the road from the Bluebird Haven is Monkey Run, a segment of Victor Hiking Trails. There is a trail through a mature woods along White Brook marked with white blazes as well as two alternative trails marked with blue and red blazes. Visit this spot anytime, but spring will probably produce the greatest number of visible birds.