Vast wilderness, spectacular mountain views, lovely scenery, and fantastic birds await those who go birding in the Newcomb-Minerva area. The boreal habitat of this region attracts the most sought-after bird species by visitors and residents alike. Year-round species such as Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and Evening Grosbeak can all be found from easy roadside birding or by hiking one of the many scenic trails in the area. It is also a reliable place to find winter nesting Red and White-winged Crossbills when there is an excellent cone crop on the trees, which is the case this year.

Beginning in Newcomb and heading southeast along Route 28N to the northern half of the Town of Minerva, here are some great boreal birding destinations.

Birding in Newcomb

The Adirondack Interpretive Center

The Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) in Newcomb maintains a feeding station in winter. At this time of year, the AIC building is open Friday through Sunday, but the trails are open seven days a week. You can stop by anytime to view their feeders, which attract many winter finches.

The Hudson River

Heading west through town, a scenic place to stop is the bridge over the Hudson River. Check for waterfowl, and several nearby houses for feeder birds. River Otters can be observed on the side bay, south of the bridge. I observed a Fisher cross the ice during one of my winter stops at this location. On a recent guided tour, we stopped and photographed a Beaver working away near the bridge.

Scenic Overlook

Near the western side of town, the scenic overlook parking area (across from the ballfield and next to the Medical Center) is a great place to listen for birds in Newcomb. Spectacular views of many High Peaks are visible including Mount Marcy, the highest peak in New York.

Red Crossbills have been found in this area throughout the fall. They nested in the Newcomb-Minerva area in late summer, and it appears they will be nesting again this winter in the same locations. Red and White-winged Crossbills can nest any time of year if there are enough cone seeds to feed their young and they typically nest during winter in the Adirondacks. The last time we had an excellent cone crop, Red Crossbills nested in late summer and again in the winter, when they were joined by nesting White-winged Crossbills. This winter, the conditions look favorable for a similar finch irruption in the Adirondacks.

A couple days ago, while listening for Red Crossbills, I found 10 Bohemian Waxwings in a Crab Apple tree in the middle of the mowed field by the scenic overlook parking lot. This species, which breeds in northwestern Canada, and Alaska, moves into northern New York in the fall to feed on fruit such as Crab Apples, and the berries of Mountain Ash and Buckthorn. Bohemian Waxwing is the most asked for species to see in winter by visiting birders.

While I was photographing the Bohemian Waxwings, I heard a foraging woodpecker at the tree line along the mowed field. Hiking toward the sound, I discovered a Black-backed Woodpecker.

Santanoni Drive

The road along the scenic overlook, Santanoni Drive, is a wonderful place to look for boreal birds. It is a short road that ends at the Hudson River Information Center. The building sits on the bank of the upper Hudson River which placidly winds its way through scenic boreal forest. Black-backed Woodpeckers and Boreal Chickadees can be found at this location.

Adams Lane & More

Directly across Route 28N from Santanoni Drive is Adams Lane. Take this road to check feeder birds at local houses. I recently found a male Evening Grosbeak feeding among American Robins in a fruit tree in this neighborhood.

Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, and American Goldfinches are abundant everywhere this fall.

A Boreal Marsh

Continuing southeast on Route 28N, a birder can stop at numerous places to listen for boreal birds. A place I enjoy is a marsh located ¾ of a mile past the intersection of Route 28N and the Blue Ridge Road. The marsh is surrounded by boreal forest. On a recent guided tour, we stopped here and found the three species the visitor most wanted to see: Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, and Boreal Chickadee! A vocalizing Evening Grosbeak also flew overhead.

Birding in Minerva

Snowmobile Trail

About ¾ of a mile up the hill from the marsh along Route 28N, and now within the Town of Minerva, there is an old barn on the left and a clearing on the right. You can park in the clearing. Not only is this a great location to listen for Black-backed Woodpeckers and Boreal Chickadees, it is also where the newly cut snowmobile trail crosses Route 28N. You can hike this new trail which runs through boreal habitat on both sides of the road.

Railroad Bed

Another interesting birding location is the railroad bed. There is a dirt parking area on the northeast side of Route 28N. I generally cross the road and hike south a short distance to an area with wetlands on both sides of the tracks. Vanderwhacker Brook is on the east side and there are a couple marshy ponds on the west side. This area attracts Black-backed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadees and often, Red Crossbills. In the spring and summer breeding season, several flycatcher species nest in this area, including Olive-sided Flycatchers. Red Crossbills nested at this location in late summer and I found them again on my latest trip to the area, so they will likely nest here again this winter.

Roosevelt Truck Trail

About a third of a mile up the hill along Route 28N from the railroad crossing, the Roosevelt Truck Trail’s south trailhead can be found on the east side of the road. Often, local hikers/skiers mark the paved entrance so people can find it – recently, three American Flags adorn the entrance! Until it snows, you can drive a few hundred feet to park at the dead-end. This short drive is not plowed in winter, but the snow plowers leave plenty of room on the west side of Route 28N for cross-country skiers and snowshoers to park cars. The hiking trail leads 2.5 miles to the Blue Ridge Road, so 5 miles round trip, or 2.5 miles if cars are parked at both ends. Most of this dirt road trail is in lovely boreal habitat.

Boreas River

The Boreas River is about 1.6 miles south of the Roosevelt Truck Trail, and another great place to look for birds. The first species found here the other day was a pair of Red Crossbills right at the bridge location. Often, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadees, and Evening Grosbeaks can be found by the river in addition to crossbill species when there is an excellent cone crop. A campsite is located on the east side of the bridge, and the Boreas River Trail on the west side. The trail is quite scenic, but a bit loud for birding since the river has some rapids along this stretch.

Hewitt Eddy Trail

The Hewitt Eddy Trail can be found ¾ of a mile south along Route 28N from the Boreas River. This trail intersects the Boreas River Trail. Together, the trails total 2.2 miles and if you hike the road to reach your car, the loop becomes 3 miles. The Hewitt Eddy foot trail traverses boreal habitat with Black-backed Woodpeckers and Boreal Chickadees year-round.

The day before Thanksgiving, I spotted a Barred Owl hunting in a field along Route 28N just south of Minerva village. They often begin hunting in late afternoon, so it was still light enough to photograph this beautiful owl.

These are just a few of the wonderful birding locations along the boreal zone from Newcomb to Minerva. Stay tuned to this website for more Newcomb-Minerva birding options along the Blue Ridge Road and Tahawus region in a future blog! After a day of boreal birding, enjoy a great meal and comfortable lodging in this beautiful wilderness area.