Birding Sites

Where to Go Birding in The Great Swamp The following is a list of public access areas that are good birding sites and cover a variety of habitats:
Patterson Environmental Park: This Town Conservation Area off South Street in the Patterson Hamlet is one of the best places to see the variety of swamp forest birds and some of the shrub swamp species. Park on South Street and walk down the dirt road to the river. You will go through some open fields, past some swamp forest patches, through a shrub swamp, into an area of upland forest and finally reach the river edge. There is a network of trails off the dirt road that wind their way along the edge of the swamp. This is an excellent site at all seasons, but especially in spring and summer. note: The park entrance crosses active Metro North Railroad tracks. Be alert!
Dutcher Avenue Marsh: This is the most accessible marsh in the Great Swamp and is one of the largest. Owned by the Oblong Conservancy, it is located on the south edge of Pawning Village. Limited roadside parking is available at the north and south ends of the marsh on Dutcher Avenue. Do not park near the fire station.
Green Chimneys School: This popular access point for canoe trips provides some excellent opportunities to see swamp forest and wet meadow birds. The main parking area is located on the west side of Doansburg Road opposite the school. Walk past the pavilion to the river. The board-walk gives you an elevated view through the swamp. While at Green Chimneys, visit the raptor rehabilitation center and zoo on the main campus across the road from the parking lot. Several captive species of raptors there allow you to review their field marks up close and personal.
Ice Pond Conservation Area is accessed from Ice Pond Road via a steep dirt road down to Ice Pond, which can be scanned from the shore for waterfowl and swallows. note: The trail to the Ice Pond crosses active Metro North Railroad tracks. Hiking along the tracks is not advisable!
Clough Preserve is located on the west side of Farm-to-Market Road north of Brewster High School. From the parking lot follow the trail through an upland forest with patches of hemlocks to the edge of the shrub swamp and on to Ice Pond. note: While the tracks on this side of the pond are rarely used, caution is still advised.
Sharparoon: This 1800 acre preserve on Dover Furnace Road just off Route 22 is owned by the New York City Mission Society and used as a conference center and summer camp. Bordering the Swamp River, the property boasts a wide range of habitats from marsh and swamp to lake and steep mountain ridge. Over 100 species have been recorded here. Permission is needed to bird at Sharparoon, so call ahead ((845) 832-6151) to make arrangements.
River Road crosses the Great Swamp between Route 22 and West Dover Road just north of Pawling Village. Park along the road near the bridge across Swamp River.