Adirondack Wildflowers:  Bunchberry at the Paul Smiths VIC (2 June 2012)

Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
Beginner Bird Walk
2 June 2012

Barnum Brook Trail after the rain -- 2 June 2012Barnum Brook Trail after the rain (2 June 2012)

Adirondack Birding Center Director Brian McAllister led a beginner bird walk on the Barnum Brook Trail and the Boreal Life Trail on 2 June 2012. The walk was part of the 2012 Great Adirondack Birding Celebration, the longest-running boreal birding festival in the Northeast. The walk began at 7:00 AM, when we met in the VIC building . Despite the heavy rain at times, we saw or heard a wide variety of birds, including an American Bittern on Heron Marsh and a Common Loon overflying Barnum Bog, plus some excellent views of the Common Yellowthroat from the Barnum Pond Overlook.

Near the VIC building and the parking lot, we saw or heard the following birds:

Eastern Phoebe Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Purple Finch Magnolia Warbler
Red-eyed Vireo Northern Parula
Black-throated Green Warbler Ovenbird
Chipping Sparrow  

 

On the Barnum Brook Trail, we saw or heard the following birds:

Northern Parula Ovenbird
Blue Jay Wood Duck
Red-winged Blackbird Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Bluebird Common Grackle
American Bittern Ring-necked Duck
Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat
American Crow  

 

On the Boreal Life Trail, we saw or heard the following birds:

Magnolia Warbler Red-eyed Vireo
Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler
Northern Parula White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow
Winter Wren Palm Warbler
Common Loon Blue Jay
Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-capped Chickadee
Nashville Warbler Swamp Sparrow
Hermit Thrush Common Yellowthroat
Chimney Swift American Robin
Brown Creeper  

 

We also observed a number of wildflowers blooming:

Lady's Slipper Starflower
Bunchberry Labrador Tea
Clintonia Wild Sarsaparilla
Canada Mayflower Blue Flag Iris
Twinflower Buckbean
Cotton Grass

 

 

Explore the VIC

The Paul Smiths VIC offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year to educate and inform Adirondack Park residents and visitors about the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains. You can help support these programs by joining the Friends of the VIC. More information on Friends of the VIC memberships

Explore the Trails

The VIC trails are free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, spring through fall. In winter, the trails are open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers for a fee. Day or season passes may be purchased.