Birding is one of the fastest growing leisure activities in the United States. It is an interesting and educational way to stay fit and enjoy the great outdoors.
Greene County's varied topography, ranging from tidal marshes to towering mountain peaks, makes it a birdwatcher's paradise. Many species of birds make their homes in the forest preserve or farmlands of Greene County. Others find Greene County on their migratory path. And still others are ocean species that follow the tides and fish up the great estuary known as the Hudson River.
Over 270 species of birds have been recorded in Greene County. Most of these are summer residents, arriving from points south to nest here and retreat back south for the winter. Other bird species are year round residents, who may be joined by relatives from the north. Then there are winter visitors from the north. This group tends to be cyclical or irruptive, depending on the severity of the winter or availability of food up north.
The next groups are the transients or migrants. These birds nest to the north and winter in the south. They simply pass through Greene County en route to these destinations. The last group is the vagrants or accidentals. These are birds who have wandered out of their normal range or who have been blown in by storms and have been recorded fewer than ten or so times in or near the county.
Because of the highly visible activity of males singing, courtship behavior, and parents feeding noisy young, the nesting season is the best time to observe birds. Most birds begin nesting in the spring (April, May and June); continue through the summer (July and August), and are finished by autumn (September and October).
To find birds near the Winwood Inn, you can look out your windows or walk around our grounds. For a little more adventure, take the Escarpment Trail, which has several access points. Start at the trailhead on Rt 23 in East Windham or from the trailhead at Rt 23A by Kaaterskill Falls. Other access points are at the end of Barnum Road in Maplecrest or at the end of Big Hollow Road east of Maplecrest.
Each of these trails through the Catskill Mountains, while requiring some hiking experience, will offer the many warblers, thrushes, vireos and other mountain specialties the area offers
To find out more about birding in the Windham area and for tips on birding, click here.