Joan Collins is Long Lake’s own resident Birding Expert. Joan leads hikes throughout the year partnering with Long Lake Parks and Recreation and the Northern New York Audubon Society. Joan’s knowledge and skill is beyond measure. She plots out excellent trips to garner sights and sounds of a variety of birds that never disappoints. Joan will be leading a hike on Tuesday, August 5th along the Roosevelt Truck Trail. Max 13 participants. To register, contact Joan atJoanCollins@ADKAvian.com or 518-624-5528. This field trip is jointly sponsored by Northern New York Audubon and the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department. There is a maximum of 13 participants
A recent birding excursion was held on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025 sponsored by the Town of Long Lake and the Northern New York Audubon. Birders traveled through the Sabattis region and it yielded an impressive 50 species in a variety of habitats, including marshes, trailheads, bogs, and forested backroads. The day offered great weather, scenic stops, and exciting bird sightings across multiple locations:
Birding Locations Visited:
Route 30 Corridor: Including a marsh, a pull-off near John Dillon Park, and a known Canada Jay feeding spot
Sabattis Road: Featuring Buck Mt. Trailhead, Little Tupper Lake inlet, Round Lake Trailhead, Sabattis Bog, and several roadside stops
Road to Sabattis Station: With stops at Bear Pond, a Winter Wren site, and a logged section near the end of the road
Notable Highlights:
A pair of Common Loons with a newly hatched chick at Bear Pond
A juvenile Wood Duck sighted solo on Little Tupper Lake (a second visit revealed three juveniles still without a mother present)
Observation of a bald eagle causing a stir among the loons
A very cooperative Broad-winged Hawk juvenile along Sabattis Road
Multiple warbler species with strong visual confirmations, including Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Canada, and Magnolia Warblers
Canada Jays (two adults and two juveniles) at Round Lake Trailhead
Several active singers, including Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, and Mourning Warbler
A late-season Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nest still active near Sabattis Station
Full Bird Species List (50):
Canada Goose, Wood Duck (juvenile), Wild Turkey, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Common Loon (with chick), Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Canada Jay, Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Canada Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting.
A special moment included speaking with the loon monitor at Bear Pond, who confirmed the chick had likely hatched the same day as the initial sighting. While a second egg remained in the nest, it appears to have been abandoned. The following day, the loon family was observed again near the shore, with the chick just a few feet away—an adorable sight for any birder.
The outing was marked by excellent camaraderie, scenic beauty, and rewarding birding opportunities across the varied habitats of the region.
Stay tuned for more upcoming birding events, including the August 5 hike.
Happy birding, and enjoy the rest of the summer!
