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Birding Sites in the Finger Lakes

CHEMUNG COUNTY

Van Etten Wildlife Sanctuary

Van Etten, NY 14889

Coordinates: 42.120932°N 76.323969°W

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Habitat: Fed in part by Spring Brook, a tributary of Cayuta Creek, this is a protected, 25-acre wetland, consisting of cattail marsh, perennials, and shrubs.

Seasons: Spring and autumn are the best seasons, but what you see depends more on the depth of water. In the late summer and early autumn, the marsh can be devoid of water and turn in mud flats. When this happens you might see a variety of shore birds such as sandpipers, plovers, and "peeps." But most of the time, when there is sufficient water, you will see, Canada geese, mallards and other puddle ducks, herons, and egrets. Listen for bitterns, marsh wrens, swamp sparrows, and rails during the breeding season. Whatever the season, your birding will be more rewarding if you bring a spotting scope.

The bushes along the tracks will provide the typical array of bush birds like cardinals, catabirds, song sparrows, cedar waxwings, and common yellowthroats.

The trees near the stairs have many birds, including American crow, woodpeckers, American robins, nuthatches, chickadees, and blue jays. There used to be a path from the bottom of the stairs, but it hasn't been maintained in years and may not provide any more than you can see from the stairs.

Access: The Sanctuary is located on State Route 34 just east of the intersection with Front Street. There is a sign and a parking lot there and the stairs down the hillside.

To access the sanctuary from the other side (the railroad tracks side), drive southwest on Front Street about .5 mi./.8 km. to the intersection with Railroad Street. Turn left onto Railroad Street and drive the short distance to the end of the street. Park. If Railroad Street were to continue, the railroad tracks should be in front of you. Walk through a bit of tall vegetation and across a ditch, using the rough footbridge. Follow the tracks to your left (east) about .5 mi./.8 km. The right side of the tracks is lined with bushes. The sanctuary will be on your left.

Nearby Birding Sites:

Park Station Lake

Marsh Dam

Created 3 October 2010