Adirondack Birding
Vast Tracts of our Boreal forests and grasslands create some of the best sites in the Northeast to enjoy a wide array of sought-after birds. Theodore Roosevelt began recording bird sightings in the Adirondacks in the mid 1870's and the tradition continues today.Area and Habitat
Franklin County, New York, extends from the St. Lawrence Plains and Transition in the north to the Central Adirondacks in the south. Between lie the Malone Plain, Western Adirondack Foothills and Transition, Sable Highlands, and a portion of the Adirondack High Peaks. The highest point in the county is the summit of Seward Mountain (4,361'). Habitat varies from vast grasslands and wooded swamps on the plains in the north to boreal forests and bogs within the Adirondack Park to the south. Many of the best birding areas in New York State can be found within Franklin County by driving the back country roads, paddling Adirondack lakes and rivers, and exploring the hiking trails in our region.
Birding History
How many birds can be found in Franklin County, New York? In 1877, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. and H.D. Minot reported 97 species of summer birds found in the county between 1897-77. Eaton (1905) listed 153 species found at all times of year, most reported by his Franklin County corespondents, A.R. Fuller of Malone and F. Seymour Woodruff of Albany. The First NYS Atlas project located 180 breeding birds between 1980-85, and a similar number were reported in the county during the second Atlas between 2000-05. The Franklin County birding guide by John M.C. Peterson provides details of 280 species, of which 186 breed or have bred. Both casual birders and field ornithologists should enjoy the search for the birds of Franklin County, New York.
Birding Resources
Adirondack Lakes region provides a variety of resources to make your birding vacation or day trip sucessful. Check out our Adirondack birding maps and tools to help you find that long sought after species. Search recent sightings or report your own rare sighting to help your fellow birders. Or request our free birding guide so you can hit the trails with hotspots at your fingertips.
