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Nature Centers in the Finger Lakes

Blue Cut Nature Center

State Route 31

Newark, NY 14413

The wetlands at Blue Cut Nature Center in Newark, New York, USA.

LOCATION

Blue Cut Nature Center is located on State Route 31 in the Town of Newark in Wayne County. Situated on the south side of the road, the entrance is just east of a Mary Berkelman of the Cayuga Bird Club watches a flicker on a dead tree. railroad overpass. The railroad tracks run through Blue Cut's property.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Named for the blue Vernon shale that was exposed on the property in 1853 when the railroad was "cut", Blue Cut Nature Center has 40 acres of woods, open land, marsh, and wetland.

The nature center would be better called a preserve as there is no center on the property or elsewhere.

HIKING

Blue Cut has about 2 mi./3.2 km. of trail. The initial trail through tall grass has been mowed, and the trails to the wetland and through the woods have been maintained by use, but there are no longer any trail markings or interpretative signs. You may get confused or misled a couple of times on your hike, but you won't get lost.

A monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) eats a leaf of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

Trail map (pdf)

BIKING

There is no biking permitted on the property, but Blue Cut is directly across from the Erie Canal, and State Route 31 is part of the Erie Canal trail. This is an on-road section that is described in detail with maps in Cycling the Erie Canal, which is available from Parks & Trails New York.

Another bike trip of a historical aspect of the region, called the "Burned Over District," is nearby.

Burned Over District Tour map (pdf)

PHOTOGRAPHY

The wetland is very nice and provides a variety of photo ops, but there is no observation platform, and getting a good view of the birds in the wetland may be difficult. The woods can be a bit too shady for photography at certain times of the year. There are many native and non-native plants on the property as well as some fungi.

WILDLIFE

Because of its diverse habitat, Blue Cut has a wide variety of wildlife. You should be able to see squirrels, chipmunks, deer, butterflies and dragonflies, and many birds, especially those that like shrubby habitats and those that like wetlands.

WINTER

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are allowed as snow permits.

DOGS

Dogs are permitted but must be leashed at all times.

AMENITIES

There are several unsheltered picnic tables in a shady clearing. Outhouses are available at this spot. There are also several picnic tables just off the parking area. There is no water available, so bring your own.