Lewis A. Swyer Preserve at Mill Creek
I recently made two visits to the
Lewis A. Swyer Preserve in Stuyvesant, NY. The preserve has a 1/2 mile boardwalk that starts on the side of route 9J and ends close to the Hudson River. The Nature Conservancy owns the preserve and it is home to a rare freshwater tidal swamp.
The boardwalk made the trek easy and also helps to protect the plant-life from being trampled.
On both of my trips, I was greeted by a doe and her fawn. I believe it was the same two each time.
A little ways down the trail on my second visit, I spotted a large Snapping Turtle sunning itself on a log.
The birds were numerous and very active on both visits like this Eastern Wood Pee-wee.
There were many Catbirds "meowing" during both visits.
Red-wing Blackbird perched near the Hudson River.
Red-eyed Vireo( I think) foraging in the trees.
A Song Sparrow(I think) perched near Mill Creek.
An Eastern Kingbird perched by the water.
There is an observation tower at the end of the trail to get a good look of the Hudson River. I heard Bald Eagles chattering nearby and I saw other water birds like gulls, herons, ducks flying near the Hudson River.
A tugboat went by during one of my visits.
A Double-crested Cormorant was taking a nap on a log on Mill Creek on my walk back. He woke up to give me a good look of him.
For more information on the Nature Conservancy and areas they protect like this preserve
click here.
Happy Birding and enjoy the great fall weather.