Natural Sites in the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region

T his section describes several dozen places that characterize the natural his­

tory of the region. While all these places were chosen for their natural fea­

tures, some are primarily for people-centered recreation. Ir may seem odd to

bypass the bathing beach or picnic area for the reedy shore or forest grove, bur

when you go there prepared to use your senses to discover, you won't be disap­

pointed. When you visit any of these places equipped with binoculars, a hand

lens and a couple of field guides, you will probably identify wildflowers or birds

you have never seen before, and you will be astounded. Other things you

observe might be subtle, and it will rake longer to see their significance. As you

record them in your field journal your understanding will gradually improve.

These particular places included in the Atlas were chosen because they are

integral parts of their "sub-region," usually a watershed. Some sites are head­

waters of streams or are along the banks of streams or lakes. Other sites are in

wetlands or on high ridge tops.

Visit one or two of the sires initially to experience the natural world found

there. Set a goal to visit all of them. You will discover firsthand that nature can

be your teacher and companion, as you gain a greater appreciation for the

region and become committed to its protection.

The section is organized as a tour of the region, starring with places that

"point" north toward Lake Erie. From there the look is southward, proceeding

from watershed to watershed and ending with the Middle Allegheny River.

Each sire is presented in a similar format. You learn what to look for at the

site, why it is of importance, background information about its natural histo­

ry, and specific directions to get there.

47

c=J Lake Erie Plain c=J Cassadaga Creek Watershed c=J Chadakoin River Watershed 1. Barcelona Harbor 19. Bear Lake 44. Allen Park 2. Canadaway Creek Preserve 20. Boutwell Hil l State Forests 45. Falconer Millrace County Park 3. Dunkirk Harbor 21. Cassadaga Creek Preserve 46. Jamestown Community College Preserve 4. Lake Erie State Park 22. Cassadaga Lakes and Leolyn Woods 47. Lake View Cemetery 5. Point Gratiot Park 23. Clay Pond 48. Roger Tory Peterson Institute

24. Hartson Swamp WMAs 25. Harris Hill Management Unit 26. Stockton State Forest 27. Kabob WMA

c=J Portage Escarpment 6. Canadaway Creek WMA 7. Mount Pleasant State Forest

c=J Upper Allegheny River Watershed 49. Allegany State Park 50. Allegheny Reservoir

8. Chautauqua Gorge State Forest 9. College Lodge c=J Chautauqua Lake Watershed

51. Al lenberg Bog 52. Deerfield Nature Center

10. Hillside.Acres Preserve 28. Bentley Sanctuary 53. Jake's Rocks Overlook 11. Howard Eaton Reservoir 29. Chautauqua Institution 54. Pfeiffer Nature Center 12. Luensman Overview County Park 30. Chautauqua Lake Outlet Wet land Preserve 55. Rimrock Overlook

c=J Conewango Creek Watershed 13. Akeley Swamp 14. Erlandson Overview County Park 15. Hatch Run Conservation Demonstration Area

31. Cheney Road Marsh 32. Dobbins Woods Preserve 33. Elm Flats Wetland Preserve 34. Long Point State Park 35. North Harmony Management Unit 36. Prendergast Creek Wetland Preserve

16. Jamestown School Forest 17. Jamestown Audubon Nature Center c=J French Creek Watershed 18. Rushing Stream Preserve 37. Findley Lake Nature Center

38. French Creek Preserve 39. Lowville Wetlands Natural Area 40. Wattsburg Fens Natural Area

c=J Brokenstraw Creek Watershed 41. Tamarack Swamp 42. Watts Flats W ildlife Management Area 43. Hill Higher State Forest

56. Rock City State Forest 57. James A. Zaepfel Nature Sanctuary

c=J Middle Allegheny River Watershed 58. Anders Run Natural Area 59. Buckaloons Recreation Area 60. Chapman State Park 61. Cook Forest State Park 62. Hearts Content Scenic Area 63. H.J. Crawford Reserve 64. Oi l Creek State Park 65. lionesta Scenic Area 66. Washington Park 67. Point Park

Conewango Creek Watershed ~A

13. Akeley Swamp 14. Erlandson Overview County Park f)- \

~ ~ \

15. Hatch Run Conservation Demonstration A rea • 16. Jamestown School Forest .. 17. Jamestown Audubon Nature Center 18. Rushing Stream Preserve •

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Conewango Creek Watershed

1

Conewango Val ley is at the heart o f the C hautauqua-Allegheny Regio n , and ,

in some ways, epi romizes it. Technica lly the Conewa ngo watershed encom­

passes the C hautauqua Lake and Cassadaga C reek watersheds as wel l, wh ich

rogether cover nea rly 900 square mi les, most of it fo rest, wetlands, lakes and

streams. C hautauqua Lake and Cassadaga Creek watersheds arc treated separate­

ly here.

Fro m irs source near the edge of rhe Po n age Escarpment ro the Randolph­

Steamburg area, Conewa ngo C reek traverses the valley through which the

Allegheny River once Aowed bur in rhe opposite direction, o n irs way ro rhe val­

ley now holding Lake Erie. Today the ancient valley lies bu ried under some 500

feet of rubble deposited by glaciers, which, in turn, lies beneath another 100 feet

or so of lake-bottom sil r. Snaki ng irs way across the rop of all rhis is present-day

Co newa ngo C reek, a stream that seems way roo small fo r the great va lley ir occu­

pies: "underfi r," say geologists.

Between Jamesrown and Warren , however, a remarkable change occurs in the

valley's character. Valley walls righren, funn el-li ke. Room for wetla nds and crop­

lands along the creek ban ks d isappears. T he depth of loose material covering

bed rock sh ri nks fro m hundreds oHeet ro a few tens oHeer. Students of local geol­

ogy recognize this place, in rhc neighbo rhood of Nonh Wa rren, as th e W isconsin

glacier's terminus, o r end-point. T he massive wall of ice reached just rhis far, and

no fa n her.

77

Tucked into this narrowing stretch oft he Co11ewango Valley is Akele;' Swrunp, a highly pro­rluctitll' and di11nse wetland. Photo by Emil;' Porte/:

What Woods, ponds, open fie lds, and wetlands

Where Pine Grove Township,Warren County, PA, off of Old Route 62, just south of NY/PA border

USGS Quadrangle(s): Mostly in Russell , a litt le in Sca ndia

Why Importa nt Bird Area. Birding, w ildl ife observation

Akeley Swamp Pennsylvania Game Commission State Game Lands #282

Akeley Swamp consists o f 365 acres of m osdy level weda nds alo ng

..l"\.Conewango C reek, just south of the New York-Pennsylvania bo rder in

Pine G rove Townshi p, Warren Coun ry. T he sire has th ree po nds interspersed

with open fields and oak-hickory forest. Two abandoned rai lroad grades are

maintained as good walking tra ils. Akeley Swamp adjo ins the Mah affey

Wedands Conserva tion Area, a 40-acre parcel owned by the o rrhern

Allegheny Co nservation Association.

Natural History Interest C onewango C reek, which Aows south from northern C hautauq ua Co unry

ro its confluence with the Allegheny River in Warren, PA, Aows through th is

area, which provides habitat fo r Spiny Softshell Tu rde. T he prima ry swamp

is a scrub-shru b wedand that in cl udes species such as Swam p W hi te Oak,

Butronbush, and Water-pennyworr. T he swam p is bo rdered by seaso nally

Aooded forested wetlands co nta ini ng mature oak and hicko ry trees which

provide importan t acorn and nur crops for deer, W ild Turkey, Ruffed G rouse

and o ther wi ld life.

T he railroad trails p rovide d ry footing and easy access ro wetlands thar

harbo r a good d iversity o f wild life. Akeley Swamp has been identi fied as an

Impo rtant Bird Area by rhe Pennsylvania Audubo n Sociery because of the

shoreb irds and waterfowl that use the wetland as a m ig ratio n stop-over and

78 C 0 N E W A N G 0 C R E E K \V/ AT E R S H E I)

Akeley Swamp 0

Hill Rd

:N

t 1 Miles

N.Y. P.A.

A K E L E Y SWAM I' 79

for breeding. Breeding wetland species include rhe endan­

gered Least Birrern. O rher breedi ng species include Pied­

billed Grebe, Virginia Rail, Sora, and Common

Moorhen. American Bittern are also suspected to breed in

rhe swamp. Norrhern Harri er, a species of special con­

cern , is also a breeding bird here and may be seen during

spring and fall migration as well. Brushy areas have nest­

ing warblers and other songbirds. About 12 pairs of Great

Blue Heron nesr in a heron rookery on rhe sire. Waterfowl

that can be observed during spring migration include

orrhern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Gadwall, and American

Wigeo n. 147 species of birds have been recorded in

Akeley wetlands since 1994.

Beaver and Muskrat may be sigh red freq uently, partic­

ularly ar dusk. WildAowers along trails include Canadian

Burner and C losed Gentian. T he main swa mp serves as

an important nursery water for Northern Pike.

Other Notes

There are no resrrooms or other faci lities on rhe sire. The

Came Lands are open to rhe public ar all rim es. Tours are

occasionally provided by Pennsylvania Game

Co mmission land managers. For in formation conracr

Pennsylvania Game Commission, P.O. Box 3 1, Franklin ,

PA 16323; Tel : 8 14-432- 3187.

How to Get There

Akeley Swamp is located JUSt east of US 62 between

Frewsburg, NY, and Russell , PA.

From Jamestown, Y, rake NY 60 sourh to US 62. There is a traffic light here. Turn right onto US 62, and

proceed approximately 3.0 miles to Riverside Rd. Turn

lefr onto Rivers ide Rd and proceed to rhe stop sign ar rhe

end of rhe road. Turn righr onto Old US 62 and go

approximately 3.0 miles ro Marrin Rei on yo ur righr. T he

parking area is ar rhe end of rhis road.

From rhe intersection of US 62 and PA 957 in Russell ,

PA, go north on US 62 approximately 1.6 miles to

Akeley, PA. Ar Akeley, wrn right onto Cable Hollow Rd

and cross rhe bridge over Co newango Creek to Old US

62. Turn left onto O ld US 62 and proceed approximate­

ly 1.3 miles ro Marrin Rd on your lefr. The parking area

is ar rhe end of this road.

80 C 0 N E W A N G 0 C R E E K W A T E R S H E I)

A /In riel)• of emergent pfnms, including cnrtnifs, rushes, nnd spnuerdock, pro11ide food nnd roller for n rich wetfnnd ecosystem nt Akeley Swnmp. Photo b)' Emily Porw:

A grnnd view ofr!Je surrounding valleys nnd ridges r!Jnr consriwre

r!JeAIIeghenyP!ntenu. Erlandson Overview County Park Photo by RJ•nn Bu/l)'n.

What Woods and fields at high elevation with a fin e view

Where Town of Carroll, Chautauq ua Cou nty, NY

USGS Ouadrang/e{s): Ivory

Why Geology, birding

Chrwtrw qu11 Couuty Department of Public Wodzs, Parks Divisiou

Erlandson Overview Counry Park co nsists of76 acres of roll ing fields and

woods wirh an excellent view and one of the highest elevations in

Chautauqua Counry.

Natural History Interest The park lies cl ose ro rhe Salamanca Re-enrranr, rhar porrion of New York

Srare rhar was spared rhe Wisconsin glacier's grcarcsr advance. T he mowed

knolls rhar surrou nd rhe park's picnic pavilion give rhe landscape a gently

rolli ng characrcr caused by the acrion of melrwarcr gushing off rhe glacier's

face as ir melred back on irs way down across rhc valley roward rhe norrh­

wesr. Th is mclrwater Rowed across a delta of sand, gravel, and orher rock par­

rides deposited by rhe glacier and caused it ro scrrlc inro the hummocky

landscape fo und here roday. T he resulting kame fi eld is composed of layers

of warer-washed sand and gravel , as opposed ro jumbled dump piles more

rypical of a moraine. The elevarion ar rhe park is 2,080 feer above sea level,

more rhan I ,500 feer above rhc level of Lake Eri c and 770 feer above

C hautauqua Lake. The larrer is visible so me I 0 miles away ro the norrh wcsr.

T he vista from rhe park beautifully shows rhe srrcam- and glacier-cur char­

acter of rhe Allegheny Plareau, irs valleys reced ing ro a Aar horizon . Sunsers

from here arc ofren specracular.

Edges and woods surrounding rhe open mowed area provide habirar fo r a

8J

Erlandson Overview -t' County Park

0 2 Miles

/rr.---- ----lOJ

Oak

variety of songb irds. Birds that were observed here o n

a late May eveni ng included Co mmon Yellowrhroat,

Gray Catbird, Blue-headed Vireo, Ovenbird ,

American Robin, Wood Thrush, Veery, Swainson's

Thrush, Grear C rested Flycatcher, Scarier Tanager,

Eastern Wood-pewee, Am erican Goldfinch, Song

Sparrow, Indigo Bunring, American Redstart. Along

rhe trails were abundant Columbine in full bloom.

Other Notes The park is open from early May through October,

from 8:30a.m. unril dusk. The park has a good-sized

parking a rea, adjacent ro a high radio rower, wh ich

provides a landmark ro make rhe pa rk easy ro find

82 C 0 N E \VA N G 0 C R F. F. K \Y/ A T E R S II E I)

c :::J n ro ;o a.

PA

Rd

from some distance away. A fine picnic pavi lion

shields visitors from su n o r rain and is surrounded by

a picnic area with rabies and grills. A co mfort station

is forth coming.

How To Get There The Erlandson Overview County Park is located just

cast of Frewsburg, NY, along Oak H ill Rd.

From US 62 in Frewsburg, rake Cry 34 east (turn

right onto Cry 34 if you are going north on US 62, or

turn left onto Cry 34 if you are going south on US 62)

approx imately 1.2 miles ro Oak Hill Rd. Turn left

o nro Oak Hill Rd and proceed approximately 3.8

miles ro rhe park. The entrance is on your right.

A forest road beckons the llisiiOr ro Harch Run. Photo by Jim Bmy

What Hardwood forest, conifer plantation, fie lds , streams near Conewango Creek

Where North of Warren in Glade Township, Warren County, PA

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Russell, Scandia

Why Conservation demonstrat ion projects, birding, w ild life watching

Hatch Run Conservation Demonstration Area

warren County Conservation District

H atch Run Conservation Demonstration Area is a 35 1-acre property

leased fro m rhe Pennsylvania Department of General Services, ro be

used as a model sire for best ma nagement practices for agriculrure, fo restry,

water resources, and wildlife management. The sire's conservation education

projects arc accessed by several roads and tra ils.

Natural H istory Interest

As irs name implies, rhe sire's progra ms and events focus on practices relat­

ed ro land management. Cu rrent best p ract ices in agricultu re and tim ber

managem en t, of course, emphasize wildli fe conservat ion. Over 50 Eastern

Bluebird nes t boxes attract these popular caviry-nesrers ro rhe traer in sp ring

and sum mer.

In 1999, the Conservation District began co nstruction of several inter­

pretive nature tra ils. These tra ils allow the public ro vvolk through rhe prop­

erry learni ng about narural resources and viewing demonstratio ns of the var­

ious conservat ion practices. To da te, several o f rhe o ld farm lanes and log­

ging trails have been cleared ro a ll ow passable foot travel throughout most

o f the property. These tra ils were cleared to create two in te rconn ecting trail

loops. T he fi rst tra il loop is approximately o ne mi le in length and is easily

traveled clue ro irs improved condition. T he second trail loop is approxi­

mately four miles long and has areas which are harder ro t ravel because of irs

Hatch Run Conservation

Demonstration Area

:N

t 0 1 Miles

un improved condition. Borh trails begin at rhe proper- Suire 203, Youngsville, PA 1637 1; Tel: 814-563-3 11 7; ty's main access roadway into the "Woodchuck Farm" E-mail: warrencoun ry@dep.srare.pa.us.

alo ng H atch Run Road.

Other Notes The Conservatio n D istrict holds mo nthly mccttngs

which are open to the public to oversee the activities

and projects on the property. Fo r in fo rmation contact

Warren Coun ry C onservation D istrict, 609 Rouse Ave,

84 C 0 N E W A ' G 0 C R E E K W AT E R S H E D

How To Get There From US 62, go east (left if heading south roward

Warren, righ t if head ing north away from Warren) onto

Hatch Run Road at rhe Warren Mall. Go about 1.5 mi les ro rhe tra il head and parking area o n rhe left.

One of severn! ponds interspersed wit!J woodlands rtt Jamestown School Forest. Photo by Ryrm ButiJ'n.

What Hardwood and softwood t im ber sta nds; wetla nds

Where Between the vil lages of Falconer and Ellington, in the Town of Po land, Cha utauqua County, New York near the inte rsection of Dean Rd. a nd West Cobb Rd.

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Gerry

Why Birding a nd w ild life observation, na tu ra l pla nt succession and sustainable forest resources management practices.

Jamestown School Forest

Jamestown School Fo rest occupies 361 acres in the northwest corner of the

Town of Poland. Severa l mi les of trai ls crisscross the property, a llowing

the visitor access to much of it.

Natural History Interest Once cleared of its do m inant stand of Eastern W hite Pine in the early 19th

century, the land became a farm with canle, m eadows and crops. By the early

20 th centu ry, th is once productive la nd that grew 200-foot tall trees became

unprod uctive fa rm land with most of irs topsoil gone.

Followi ng in the foorsreps of the g reat American fo res ter and conserva­

t io nist G ifford Pinchot, Jamestown school teacher Gustavus Bentley and h is

fr iend Fred Sprague sought a way to reforest rhis o ld far m. O ver several years,

with elementary school srudents of Jamesrown co ntribu t ing a nickel a year,

and h igh school srudenrs a clime, the 36 1 acres was purchased in 1927. For

the next six years students planted 2,000 trees per yea r. Then , over two con­

secutive sp rings in the 1930's crews from the Work Projects Admin istratio n

(WPA) led by Freel Sprague finished the reforestation of the t ract.

Eastern Wh ite Pine, Reel Pine and Norway Sp ruce were pla n ted and have

been thinned and managed up to rhe present. Because rhese species are nor

shade to leranr, nati ve hardwoods make up the p resem understory. Namral

plant succession is gradually replacing rhe planred co nifers with native W hite

Ash and Black C herry, which in turn are being replaced by shade tole rant

na tive species such as Sugar Maple and American Beech. A few marure hard-

woods of species such as Shagbark

Hickory and Norrhern Red Oak grow

here roo, remnanrs o f rhe old farm.

"0 a:

28th Creek

I

Cty 50

"0 a:

0 0 .r: u Vl

c ro QJ

0

A walk through the Jamesrown

School Forest reveals how lumber and

wood products are g rown as a susta in­

able parr of our economy. Visirors will

find a crown of planred con ifers in

rows, with an undersrory of volunteer

hardwoods, bisected with firelanes

and ponds for fire protectio n on an

aesthet ically pleasing landscape. The

property supports a variety of plant

and animal species in habi rars rhar

range fro m po nds and werlands ro

conifer fo rests and hardwood timber

stands.

·E Jamestown

Other Notes The purpose of rhe J amesrown School

Fo rest is ro conserve the wood land

quali ty and ecological health of our

natural resources as well as the man­

agement of irs financial resources for

rhe benefir of rhe public school dis­

rricr of Jamesrown, New York.

There are currenrly no resrrooms or

o rher facilities at rhe sire.

How To Get There T he Jamesrown School Forest is locat­

ed just northeast of Jamesrown and

Falconer, Y.

From the intersection of NY 394

(Main St) and Work Sr in Falconer,

rake NY 394 east. Co approximately

1.5 miles ro C ry 65. Turn left onro

C ry 65. Just afrer you go under rhe I-

86 overpass, turn right onro Sprague

Hill Rd. Follow this road approxi­

mately 1.8 m iles ro Dean School Rd .

School ro Forest I

Turn left onro this road and fo llow it

ro rhe School Foresr. The land ro rhe

left of rhe road is rhe School Forest

from approx imately 0.5 mile ro 1.2

miles afte r you turn onto Dean

School Rd.

86 C 0 N E W A N G 0 C R E E K W AT E R S II E I)

:N

James town School t Forest

0 1 Miles

Rd

~ 0 0 ;:;-~

Rd

:;o 0..

Fresh wet snow sticks to bmnches and the iq srofoce of r1 pond at )ames1own Audubon Nawre Center: Pho10 by Dave Cooney

What Forests, meadows, wetlands near Conewango Creek

Where Town of Kiantone, Chau tauqua County, NY, on Riverside Road off Route 62, 2 miles north of the NY/PA bo rder

USGS Ouadrangle(s): J amestown

Why Birding, wi ldlife observation, natu re interpretive programs

Jamestown Audubon Nature Center ]amestowu Audubon Society

Jamesrown Audubo n Nature Cenrer is the premier natu re sancw ary in the

regio n. Irs GOO acres encompass several excell ent po nds, swamps and

m arshes, a lo ng with fo res tlands and fi elds, threaded wi th five mi les ot tra ils

to r toot access ro all ot the ecorypes present. A fu ll service headq uarters,

ca lled th e Roger To ry Peterson Natu re In terp re tive Building (nor robe co n­

tused with the Roger Tory Peterso n Institu te in Jamesrown) ho uses a nature

store, res trooms, natural hisrory d isplay areas in cl uding a 189 species moum­

ed bi rd collec tion , classrooms, and a "skyroom" sanctuary overlook. Alo ng

the tra ils there arc tour observation rowers/pho tography b li nds to r observa­

t ion ot the wcrlands.

Natural History Interest H igh qualiry werlands are rhe main arrracrion ot the Jam esrow n Aud ubon

N ature Cenrer. The fo rmer beaver ponds, w ith water levels now co ntrolled

by a system ot dikes and spi llways, teem with li te. Dragon Aies and da m­

sei Ai cs, frogs, turtles, snakes, muskrats, and waterfowl arc abundant. T he

tra ils a re well marked and include well-ma in ta ined boardwalks over wet areas

ro provide the visitor w ith an understand ing ot how fores t succession wo rks

to change po nds ro fo rests over rime.

Wild Aowers abo und o n rhe pro perty, and incl ude False Hellebore, a la rge

varie ty ot vio le ts, Go ld rhread, Red Trilliu m , \'«hire T rill ium , Star Flower,

Canada MayAower, and W inrergreen. Over

215 species of wildAowers have been idem i­

fied in all. T he understory o f the wetland

areas and rich woods includes Burtonbush

and Spiceb ush . Trees include Red Maple,

Northern Red Oak, Eastern Hemlock,

Black C herry, and American Beech. A huge

open-growing Sugar Maple on a kno ll near

the main building greers the visitor to the

Cenrer.

88 C 0 N E \VI A N G 0 C R E E K \X/ A T E R S II E D

Jamestown Audubon N

Nature Center t 0

NY

PA

Over 265 speCies of birds have been

recorded ar the sire. Among the more note­

worthy are Marbled Godwit and

H udsonian Godwit. More recem visitors

include American Avocet, European

W igeon, W hire-fronred Goose, Black Tern,

Short-billed Dowitcher, and Stil t

Sandpiper. The Center maimains a nest box

t rail fo r Eastern Bluebirds and Tree

Swallows. T he C enter is a good location ro

find Bald Eagles and, from May to light here. Turn right {south) onto US 62

September, Ospreys. and proceed approximately 3.0 miles to

The sanctuary also maintains an Riverside Rd. Turn left onto Riverside Rd

arboretum with 65 labeled specimens of and proceed approximately 0.5 mile to

native trees, a butterfly garden with

examples of larval and adult food plants,

and an herb garden featuring plants for

food and traditional medicine.

Other Notes The Jamestown Audubon Society's mis­

sion is to provide educational opportuni­

ties for the appreciation, understanding,

and enjoyment of the natural world and

to encourage and practice environmental

stewardship. The Nature Center's educa­

tion programs reach thousands of area

children each year with programs in

schools and on-site. Its grounds are open

year-round from dawn to dusk. A full

slate of programs and public events for

children, adults and families is offered

throughout the year. The main building

features a discovery room with live ani­

mals and hands-on exhibits, and an audi­

torium with multimedia capability. The

building is open Monday through

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and

Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. It is closed

most holidays. Near the building is a 0.5

mile paved trail for wheelchair and

stroller access to several interesting wet­

land areas. For more information contact

Jamestown Audubon Nature Center at

1600 Riverside Road, Jamestown, NY

14701; Tel: 569-2345; Web Site:

www. jasny.org.

How to Get There The Jamestown Audubon Nature Center

is on Riverside Road, 0.5 mile east of US

62.

From the north: Take NY 60 south out of

Jamestown to US 62. There is a traffic

the entrance to the center on your left.

From the south: Take US 62 north out of

Warren, PA. Continue on US 62 approx­

imately 1.5 miles north of the state line to

Riverside Rd. Turn right onto Riverside

Rd and proceed approximately 0.5 mile

to the entrance to the center on your left.

From exit 14 (Kennedy and Warren, PA)

off 1-86: Take US 62 south through

Frewsburg and follow US 62 to the inter­

section of US 62 and NY 60. There is a

traffic light here. Turn left (south) to con­

tinue on US 62. Proceed on US 62

approximately 3.0 miles to Riverside Rd.

Turn left onto Riverside Rd and proceed

approximately 0.5 mile to the entrance to

the center on your left.

j A M E S T 0 W N A U D U B 0 N NAT U R E C E N T E R 89

II stream in rhe headwmers ofConewango Creek. Photo by Paula Cooley.

What Swam p a nd upla nd forest and a s m all tributa ry of West Bra nch of Conewango Creek

Where Bo rder of Towns of Villenova and Arkw right, between S inclairville and Fo restville, Ch auta uqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Hamlet

Why Birding, w ildflowe rs and trees

Rushing Stream Preserve Buffalo Audubon Society

D ushing Srream is a 50-acre nature sanctuary owned by rhe Buffalo

~udubon Society.

Natural H istory Interest The preserve has a stream rhar w inds through a m ature northern hardwood

forest of Eastern Hemlock, Suga r .Maple, American Beech, Yellow Birch,

where one of rhe largest (if nor rhe largest) Black C herry trees in the region

is located. The fo rest Aoo r has an abundance of ferns and w ildflowers.

Alder thickets and a swamp fo rest fo rm the natura l com mun ity in parts of

rhe preserve. Among rhe birds thar may be observed here are Pileared

Woodpecker and Grear Blue Heron. Other wildli fe include deer and Red

Sq uirrel.

To find the big cherry t ree go straight past rhe Sanctuary sign o n the righ t

side. Look fo r white b lazes and yellow bands o n trees ro fo llow the overgrown

t ra il. Go down a small embankment, c ross rhe stream , and continue o n the

path ro the hem lock g rove where rhe la rge cherry tree stands.

O ther Notes A map and compass are recommended . There are no facil ities, outhouses, or

90 C 0 N E \Y/ A N G 0 C R E E K \'(/AT E R S II E 0

To Cassadaga

f-.-... Cty 72

Rutten bur

1:J 0 ~r-------~~--~

llb t Mud Lak<'

N g;. ,..

3

drin king water available at rhi s sire. For

information contact the Buffalo Audubon

Society at I 6 1 0 Welch Road, North Java,

Y 14 11 3; Tel: 7 16-457-3228.

How To Get T here

Rushing Stream Preserve is located along

Cry 72, cast of Cassadaga and northwest

of Cherry Creek, NY. When you visit it,

watch for signs that read ' Posted , l ature

Refuge, Buffa lo Audubon Society'.

Rushing Stream

Rushing Stream :N

Wildlife Sanctuary t 0 1 Mtles

(

Weaver Rd

From the west: From NY GO in Cassadaga

rake Cry 72 cast approx imately 7.8 miles

to th e preserve. lr is on yo ur right. Park on

the roadside near the stream .

From the east: From Cherry Creek, rake

NY 83 north ro Ham ler and turn left onro

Cry 72. Cominuc on th is road approx i­

mately 2.7 mi les to rhc preserve. It is o n

yo ur lcfr. Park on the roadside near the

strea m.

RUSIIING STn E A ,\1 P RESERVr; 91

Cassadaga Creek Watershed 19. Bear Lake 20. Boutwell Hil l State Forests 21. Cassadaga Creek Preserve 22. Cassadaga Lakes and Leolyn Woods 23. Cl ay Pond WMA 24. Hartson Swamp WMA 25. Harris Hill Managem ent Unit 26. Stockton State Forest 27. Kabob WMA

Cassadaga Creek Watershed

Cassadaga Creek occupies the next va lley to the cast of the Chautauqua Lake

basin . In fact, the val ley Aoor over which the creek now meanders was once

the bottom of a lake, perhaps not unlike Chautauqua Lake itself Beneath the

lake-deposited clay ;~ nd sil t sed iments the valley is filled w ith gr;~vd and other sed­

imen ts ca rried there by the W isconsin G lacier about 15,000 ye;~ rs ago.

At the northern end of the valley are two small lakes of glacial origin, Bear Lake

and Cassadaga Lakes. T hey are a few mi les apart, like the top of a lcner "Y." The

lakes are kctrles, th eir basins formed from ice that beca me st ra nded and partly

buried as rhe glacier receded.

Cassadaga Valley sti ll holds a lake of sorts, beneath the su rface, in the pores

between particles of sand and gravel. Surface streams and groundwater fro m sur­

ro und ing h ills co ntr ibu te to a confi ned o r artesia n aq u ifer of very significant vol­

ume. Nea r the southern end o f the valley a well fie ld supplies m illio ns of gallo ns

of d rinking water a day to the C iry of j amestown and surrounding commu nities.

The valley's dairy fa rms arc interspersed with wild bon omland forests and wet­

lands. State fores ts provide public access to much of the highlands on either side

of the valley.

93

£me1gem vegetmion, looking enst alo11g Bear Lake's shoreline. Photo by Bruce Widen.

What Sma ll g lacial kettle lake

Where 3 miles west of the Vi llage of Cassadaga, borderi ng the Towns of Pomfret and Stockton in Chauta uqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Hartfield

Why Glac ial geology, bi rd ing, aquatic studi es

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is at the upper left-hand co rner of a long, narrow, "Y"-shaped

va lley in the m idd le of C hautauqua County. Bear Lake's ou tlet, appro­

priately named " Bear Lake O utler," joins Cassadaga C reek three m iles west

o f Sinclairville.

Natural History Interest Like irs neighbors, Cassadaga Lakes, three mi les to the east, Bear Lake is a

reminder of rhe continemal glacier rhar pushed up over the Portage

Escarpment to cover much of th is region as recently as 15,000 yea rs ago.

Apparently as the g lacier receded, an enormous chunk of ice broke off and

becam e partially buried in deposits along the front of the g lacier. As the ice

mel ted it formed the depression that Bear Lake occupies.

The sm all lake is a good place to watch migrating waterfowl in sp ri ng and

fa ll. Typical visito rs include C ommon Loon, Pied-billed and H orned G rebe,

all three mergansers, and various d iving clucks. Osprey and Bald Eagle are

so metimes seen over the lake as wel l.

94 C A S S A D A G A C It F. E K W AT E R S I I E D

Bear Lake t 1 Miles

Kelly

Hil l Rd

Barber Rd

7 Rd \

B E A J( LA K E 95

Photo by Bruce \Yfiden.

How To Get There Bea r Lake is located just west of Cassadaga and southeast of Brocron,

NY.

From the east: From NY 60 in Cassadaga rake Cry 58 south . After

approximately 1.0 mile you will come ro Frisbee Rd. Tu rn right onro

rhis road and go approximately 1.0 mile to Bachelor Hill Rd. Turn lefr

onto Bachelor Hill Rd and proceed approxi mately 2.4 miles ro Kelly

Hill Road. At this po int, Bachelor Hill Rd becomes Bear Lake Rd.

Follow Bea r Lake Rd for less than a mile ro Bear Lake. The lake is on

your left.

From the southwest: From the inrersection of NY 394 and Y 430 in

Mayville, NY, take NY 430 east for approxi mately 1.7 miles ro Cry 54.

Turn left onro Cry 54 and go approximately 0.5 mile before turning left

onro Cry 58. Follow Cry 58 for approximately 6.8 miles to Cry 380.

Turn left onto Cry 380. Follow this road for approximately 1.7 miles to

where Cry 380 curves ro the left and Kelly Hill Rd goes straight ahead.

Take Kelly Hill Rd just under a mi le to Bear Lake Rd. Turn left onro

Bear Lake Rd and follow ir to Bear Lake. The lake is less rhan a mile

ahead and on your left.

From the northwest: From US 20 in Brocron, rake Cry 380 approxi­

mately 1.2 miles south to Ell icott Rd. Turn left onto Ellicott Rd and pro­ceed approximately 1.7 mi les to Ransom Rd. Turn right onto Ransom

Rd and follow it (and eventually Bear Lake Rd which it rurns inro) for

approximately 3.2 miles to Bear Lake. The lake is on your right.

96 C A S S A D A G A C R E E K \Y/ A T E R 5 1·1 I! D

Ritlge1op pond on Bolli well Hill. Pboto by k lnrk Bn!tlwin.

What Forests and wetlands totaling over 5,000 acres

Where Towns of Arkwright, Charlo tte, and Cherry Creek in Chautauqua County, NY. The State Forest lands lie between the v ill ages of Cassadaga and Cherry Creek.

USGS Quadrangle{s): Hamlet

Why Bi rding, study of forest and w ildlife managem ent

Boutwell Hill State Forests New York State Department of Envirownental Conservation

Bourwel l H ill Management Uni t totals 5, 124 acres. T he un it includes

rwo srare forests and rhe Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area,

which is described in rhe Portage Esca rpment section of rh is book. T he Earl

Card or Eastside Overland Trail traverses the stare forests for 8. 5 miles.

Natural History Interest Boutwell Hill, like many of the srare forest rracts, has irs history in rhe pur­

chase of marginal agricul ru rall and for timber production, recreatio n, water­

shed protection and wildlife in rhe 1930's. In some areas stands of Red Pine,

European Larch, and Norway Spruce were planted in old farm fields, wh ich

have now reached maturi ty. In many areas, where some sunlight penetrates

to the fo rest Aoor, a orrhern Hardwood Forest is gaining ground, awaiti ng

the thin ning and final h:~rvesr of rhe in troduced conifers for an opportunity

to reesr:~bl ish itselF.

The forest is on rhe highland separ:~ti ng the watersheds of Cassadaga and

Conew:~ngo Creeks, at considerable elevation, much of it well over 2,000

feet :~bove sea level. T he hardwoods here arc predominantly Sugar Maple,

Yellow Birch, Eastern Hemlock, and American Beech along with Black

Cherry, Cucumber M:~gno l ia and White Ash. Northern Arrowwood and

97

East

To

Spicebush thrive in the understory, and

even Hobblebush may be found , attest­

ing ro the traer's eleva ti on.

Ferns are a dominant groundcover

over much of rhe area. Co mmon species,

depending on habitat, are C hristmas

Fern , Se nsitive Fern , New Yo rk Fern,

Royal Fern , Marginal Woodfern, and

Hayscenred Fern.

A few ponds have been established,

providing nesting habita t for Canada

Geese, Wood Ducks, and other water­

fowl. Some of rhe birds that in habit rhe

98 C A S S A D A G A C R E E K \'(/A T E R S I I E I)

Boutwell Hill State Forests

. ' t

BoutweU Hill State

"0 a::

.:,(.

1 Miles

.c u ·;::: "0 ~

c <Or-------t--1 Ci:

forested uplands are Herm it T hrush,

Blackburn ian Warbler, Northern Flicker,

Wild Tu rkey, Ruffed Grouse, Blue-head­

ed Vireo, and Red-eyed Vireo.

Other Notes Parking areas are located ar rhe rrailhcads

at the south and north ends of the fo rest.

There arc no resrrooms or other facili­

ties. The Card or Trail is well marked , bur

visitors traveling in the backcoumry are

advised to have a topographic map and

compass.

The £amide Overland Tmil rum through the up/ant! forms of Bounve/1 Hill. Photo b)' Mark Balt!win.

How To Get There

T he Bourwell Hill Sr:He Foresrs arc located norrheasr of Sinclairville, sourheasr of

C assadaga, and wesr of C herry C reek, NY. Nore rhar most of the roads leading ro and

through the forests are remote and unpaved.

From NY 83 in C herry C reek, rake Cry 68 west fo r approximately 1.7 miles ro Cry

85 . Turn lefr onro Cry 85, and go approximately 2.0 m iles. A parking area and rhc

fo rests are on rhc righr side of rhc road.

To reach the no rthern end of the fo rests fro m the east: From NY 83 in C herry C reek,

rake C ry 68 west approx imately 1.7 m iles to Cry 85. Turn right onro Cry 85, and pro­

ceed on rhis road approximately 5.7 miles ro Rurrenbur Rd. Turn lefr onro Rurrenbur

Rei, and co ntinue ro Lewis Rd. A parking lor is located ar rhe corner ofRurrenbur and

Lewis Roads.

To reach the southern end of the fo rests from the west: Jusr sourh of Sinclairville on

NY 60, rake O ld Chautauqua Rei cast. Follow rhis road approximately 6.5 mi les to

C ry 66. Turn left o nro Cry 66, and go approximately 1.4 miles to Cry 85. Turn righr

o nw Cry 85, and proceed approx imately 1. 1 m iles. A parking area and forests arc on

rhe left s ide of rhe road.

To reach the northern end of the forests from the west: From N Y 60 in Laona, rake

NY 83 sourh approximately 5.8 miles w Cry 85. Turn right o nto Cry 85, and proceed

approx imately 2.3 miles w Rurrcnbur Rd . Turn righr onro Rurrenbur Rei , and con­

tin ue on rhis road ro Lewis Rd. A pa rking lo t is located ar rhc corner of Rurrenbur and

Lewis roads.

B 0 u T w E I. I. H I L L s TAT E F 0 R E s T 99

Wooded swnmplrmd nlong Cnssndflgn Creek. Photo by Solon Morse.

What Forests, wetlands a long Cassadaga Creek

Where Town of Stockton, Cha utauq ua County, NY, off of Route 380, southwest of the Village of Sinclairvi lle

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Elle ry Center

Why Birding, canoeing, w ildlife watching

Cassadaga Creek Preserve Chautauqua Watershed Conservaucy

T he 125-acre C assadaga C reek Preserve consists of wetla nds and fl ood­

plain fo rest covering over Y2 mile of Cassadaga Creek. It lies just eas t of

Cry 380 in the southeast corner of the Town ofSrockron, close ro the vi llage

of South Srockron , in C hautauqua C ounry.

Natural History Interest

T he Cassadaga C reek Preserve protects a stretch of rhe mea ndering creek as

it loops along a sil ry, muddy borrom arop rhe deeply buried Cassadaga Valley.

Floodplain wetlands such as those found ar th e preserve all ow Aoodwarer to

spread our and dissipate its tremendous energy, mi ni mizin g Aood damage ro

downstream fa rmlands and communities such as Gerry and Falconer.

The preserve co m ains oxbows, formerly parts of rhe creek rhar have since

been cur off from rhe creek's Aow ro form shall ow ponds and wetlands.

These, along with a beaver pond on rhe sire, provide good habirar for water­

fowl and o ther birds and mam mals such as Muskrat and Mink. Be on the

lookout for possible sightings of River Otter as well . O bservers have found

several possible den open ings and possible "slides" along creek banks that

may be evidence of otters. This needs furthe r invesrigario n.

Black W illow, Silver Map le, Red Maple, American Elm and Green Ash are

among rhe tree species present, all o f which characterize rhe orrhern

Riverine Forest communi ry. Eastern H em lock shades hummocky areas.

I 00 C A S S A D A G A C R E E K \ '(/AT E I( S II E I)

(

Cassadaga Creek -~ Preserve t

j L_~o~.s~~~~o~~~~o.[a~M:He:s~_J

To

Rd I-----'-M,;_;;o:..:co-'--n-R-'-d- -1 Cassadaga

Cassadaga

'/Creek Canoe ~ Preserve

Tt.ul

Sa er Rd

Condin

Shrubs and understory t rees typical of this

site include Co mmon H ighbush Blueberry,

Smooth W imerberry Holly, Silky Dogwood ,

Basket W illow, and Northern Arrowv.roocl.

The fo rest Aoo r and wer areas are ho me to

many species of herbaceous plants. Ferns

and fern allies that have been documented

include horsetails, quil lworrs, and O strich ,

Lady, C innamon, and Royal Fern. Soft Rush

and several species of sedges, incl uding

Woolgrass, Botrlebrush Sedge, and Carex

intttmescens, C crinita, C scoparin, and C

vulpi11oidea have been foun d on the sire.

V1 \0

2 -< 0\ 0

To Jamestown

f Skunk C abbage and False Hellebore are

common. Canada MayAower, Go ld rh read,

and Parrriclgeberry are present in shady

areas.

Preliminary bird surveys have turned up a

good variety of sho rebirds, waterfowl, and

both woodland and grassy nesters. T hey

have included Sported Sandpiper, Wood

Duck, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common

Yellow-throat, C hestnu t-sided Warbler,

Belted Kingfisher, Veery, Red-eyed Vireo,

and Red-sho uldered H awk.

C i\ S SA D A G i\ C ll E E K p R E S E R V E 10 1

Autumn beec!J lenves. Photo by Solon 1\/orse.

Other Notes The preserve IS located between two popular

Chautauqua Counry-maintained canoe launches on

the Cassadaga Creek Marden E. Cobb Waterway. lr

is also just 2.5 miles south of Kabob Wildl ife

Management Area .

Guided tours of the sire may be arranged for youth

or adul t natu re groups by contacting the ewe at

413 l o rrh Main Street, Jamestown, NY, 1470 1;

Tel: 71G-GG4--2 1GG; Fax: 483-5007; E-mail:

chaurwsh@nersync.ner. Web Sire: chaurauquawarer­

shed.org.

How To Get There T he Cassadaga Creek Preserve is located just south­

west of Sinclairvill e and east of Mayville, Y.

From the east: From NY 60 in Sinclairville, turn

onto Cry GG South (turn left onto Cry 66 if you are

going north on NY GO or turn right if you are going

south on NY GO) and proceed approximately 2.3 miles to Cry 380. Tu rn right onto Cry 380 and go

app roximately 1.2 miles. Turn sharply right jusr

I 02 C A S S A 0 A G A C I( E E K VJ.! A T E R S I I 1'. ))

before Cry 71 and go 0.2 mi le to rhe dead end barri­

cade. Enter rhe preserve via rhe abandoned road.

From the west: From the intersection of Y 394

and NY 430 in Mayville, TY, rake NY 430 east

approximately 1.7 mil es to Cry 54. Turn left onto

Cry 54 and go approximately 6.8 miles ro the inter­

section of Cry 54, Cry 57 and Cry 380. Proceed

srraighr through rhe inrersecrion onto Cry 380 Sourh

(do nor turn left onto Cry 380) and go approxi­

mately 2.0 miles to South Stockton. Just past rhe left

turn for Cry 71 go lefr and proceed to rhe dead end

barricade. Enter rhe preserve via rhe abandoned

road.

Since rhere are no trai ls in rhe preserve and

Cassadaga Creek winds through the preserve, a great

way to tour rhis sire is by canoe or kayak. You can

launch a boar from rhe closed bridge over rhe creek

or from the Marden E. Cobb Waterway laun ch sire

upstream from rhe preserve on Cry 71. T here is

another coun ry-mainrained launch sire downstream

from rhe preserve on Cry GG where you can rake your

canoe or kayak our.

St1111ding de11d trees (sn11gs) 11re left ro pro11ide benefits to wildlife 111 Leolyn Woods. Photo by /VImlene Mudge.

What Glacial kettle la kes a nd woodlot conta ining o ld g rowth trees

Where Vi llage of Cassadaga, along Route 60 bo rdering the Towns of Pomfret a nd Stockton in Cha utauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Cassadaga

Why Birding , tree study

Cassadaga Lakes and Leolyn Woods

The Cassadaga Lakes are three small , connected bodies o f water that ,

rogether, :ue about C\vice the size of Bear Lake th ree mi les ro rhe wesr.

It is located in and north of rhe Village of C assadaga. T he lakes are bord ered

by roads o n rhc west, sou th, and cast shores, p rovid ing several good vantage

po ints for waterfowl viewing.

Leolyn Woods is a I 0-acre traer on rhe grounds o f the comm uniry of Lily

D ale. Lily Dale Assembly charges a fcc for admissio n duri ng its summer sea­

son but is free and o pen ro rhc public ar orher times of yea r. T he wood lor is

small but conta ins some of rhe best , most accessible examples of very old,

large trees in the region.

Natural History Interest T hese lakes am·acr a good vari ety of waterfowl m ig rants in spring and fall ,

incl uding C o mmo n Loo n, Pied-billed G rebe, all th ree merga nsers, Tundra

Swa ns, Wood Ducks, and Northern Pinrail.

A stand of enormous trees g ives a cathed ral-like quali ry ro Leolyn Woods.

T he wood lot contains many Eastern W hi te Pine t rees, some standing 13 5

feet tall. O ther very large, o ld trees on rhe properry incl ude orrhern Red

Oak, Eastern Hemlock, Red Maple, C ucumber Magnolia, Black C herry,

and Sugar Maple. Trees are cur o n rhis traer only if rhcy are dead and pose a

haza rd to visitors. YS DEC Fo rester Denn is W ilson estimates m any o f rhe

trees ro be so me 200 years o ld . Some may be as o ld as 400 years.

IOJ

Hi ll Rd

OJ

~~~~=T~=TT=======~--~R~d~~ .., "'

H ow To Get There

The C assadaga Lakes and Leolyn Woods are

located in C assadaga, N Y.

From NY 60 in Cassadaga, rake Dale Dr

west. T here is a sign here indicating rhe

direction ro Li ly Dale. This road goes past

rhe lower and middle lakes (which both are

on your left) and ro Lily Dale. Turn off Dale

Dr and pass rhrough rhe gares of Lily Dale

10 4 C A S SA I) A C i\ C RE E I< W i\ T E R S II E I)

Cassadaga Lakes t:N

and Leolyn Woods 0 1Miles

o n your righr ro reach Leolyn Woods. To see

rhe upper lake, sray on Dale D r and drive

across rhe bridge ar the narrows. Once across

rhc bridge turn righ t (north) onro G b sgow

Rd. T he upper lake is on your right when

driving north on G b sgow Rd. The upper

lake ca n al so be viewed from rhe g rou nds o f

Lily Dale.

Rnilbed through Hnrrson Swnmp provides 11 good vmunge point

for birding. Clay Pond/Hartson Swamp WMAs Photo by Rynn Burryn.

What Wetland and bottomland forest near th e confluence of the Chadakoin River and Cassadaga and Conewa ngo Creeks

Where Eastern Town of Ellicott, western Town of Poland, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Clay Pond WMA: Jamestown

Hartson Swamp WMA: Jamestown, Gerry

~~Yng, w ild life watching, botany

New York State Department of Envimnmental Conservation

Easy ro get ro and close ro rhe C iry oF Jam estown , these sm all wetland

W ild li fe Management Areas arc f.1Vored srops For birders and wildlife

watchers. Viewing is possible From close ro rhc road at C lay Ponds, while the

D EC's access ro H ar tson Swamp entails some walking, including a short bur

steep descent down a railroad g rade.

Natural History Interest

These wildlife management areas are located in rhe Aar bo rro mland oF ponds, marshes and shrub swamps where rhc C hau tauqua, Cassadaga, and

Conewango Valleys converge. H ere rhc C hadako in River jo ins Cassadaga

C reek, which , in rurn , joins C onewango C reek. T he strea ms in this area

meander along rhe va lley Aoor in loops and bends rhar may make ir hard to

rell exactly which stream you are looking ar.

The name "Clay Po nd" is descripti ve oF rhe soils here rhar are poorly

drained and composed la rgely of silt and clay deposited o nto rhc bo ttom of

a lake that occupied this val ley after rhc g lacier receded From rhe a rea som e

12,000 years ago. In a relat ively short span of rime, perhaps 2,000 years, rhe

lake fi lled in wirh sedi ment, leaving rhc Aar va lley and lazily meandering

streams rhar we sec here roday.

The C lay Pond areas are popular waterfowl viewing sires, with Pied -billed

Grebe, Wood D uck and Hooded Merganser amo ng rhe species Found here.

10 5

106 CAS SA 0 A G A C RE EK \Y/ ATE R S II ED

:N

Clay Pond WMA t & Hartson Swamp WMA

Hartson Swamp WMA

Rd

"'0 0:: Q) u

~~~----------- § C!l

Red-winged Blackbirds arc in abundance. C lifT Swallows,

Tree Sw:tllows and B:trn Swallows frcqucnr rhc area in

spring :t nd summer, as do Grear Blue Heron :tnd G reen

Heron. Killdeer and Eastern Kingbird arc commonly seen

here as well.

Hartson Swamp is largely privately owned. The DEC

Wildlife Management Area, off N Y Route 394, consists

of bottomland forest, marsh, and two shallow water

ponds for waterfowl. Ncar where the trail crosses rhe rail­

ro:td tracks is a small parch ofWild Ginger, a welcome and

uncommon sight among the Poison Ivy and Staghorn

Sumac. From the railroad grade sc:m the shru bby areas

thick with onhern Arrowwood and Swamp Dogwood

for Northern Flicker, Com mon Yellowrhroat :tnd Yellow

Warbler. Baltimore O riole, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed

Cia_)' Pond. Phoro by Mnrk Kirsch.

Vireo, and Eastern Towhee arc :til likely to be

hea rd or seen :~long the tr:t il. Belted

Kingfisher, Red-winged Blackbird , Great

Blue Heron, and Green Heron inhabit the

wetland areas. Common reptiles and

amphibians incl ude Mid land Painted Tu rtle,

Snapping Turtle, Bullfrog, and Northern

Leopard Frog. Wetlands like these are mag-

nets for wildlife, and rime spent here is sure

to impress rhe visitor wirh a good diversity.

Other Notes C lay Ponds are visible from rhe road, wirh

roadside parking areas. Public foot access to

Hartson Swamp is via rhe parking area along

NY Route 394 . There are no resrrooms or

other facilities ar these sites. For information

contact rhc New York State DEC ar 215 South Work Sr. , Falconer, NY 14733; Tel:

7 16-665- 61 I I; Fax : 716-665-6 124; Web

Sire: www.dec.srarc.ny. us.

How To Get There The C lay Pond WMA 1s located on rhe

southern edge of Falconer, NY.

From exi t 13 (Falconer) off 1-86, turn

right onto NY 394 and proceed approxi­

mately 0.8 mile to S Work Sr. Turn lefr ar rhe

rr:t fh c light onto S Work Sr and proceed :tpprox imarely

0.6 mile to New York Ave. There is another traffic light

here directly after a bridge. Go lefr onto ew York Ave.

P:t rkin g for rhe C lay Pond WMA is approx imately 0.6

mile :~head on rhc left and 0.8 mile ahead on rhe right.

The Hartson Sw:tmp WMA is just east ofF:tlconer, NY.

From exit 13 (Falconer) off 1-86, turn left onto NY 394

and proceed approx imately 3.2 miles to rhe Hartson

Sw:tmp WMA. The WMA sign and parking area are on

your right. 1:-lowever, the sign is a bit hidden in bushes and

rhc parking area is small so keep your eyes open.

c I. ,\ y p 0 N I) I H A I( ., s () ' sWAM p W/ MA s 107

Hobblebmh is among the shrubs found on Harris HilL. Photo by Ryan Butryn.

What Deciduous forests, conifer plantations, creeks

Where Between the villages of Sinclairville, Gerry, and Ellington in the Towns of Gerry and Ellington, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Mostly in Gerry, overlapping in Hamlet and Kennedy

Why Birding, botanizing

Harris Hill Management Unit New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

H arris Hill Management Unit consists of three separa te state forest prop­

erties total ing 3,554 acres. They occupy the high ridge separating the

watersheds of Cassadaga and Conewango C reeks.

Natural History Interest The highlands that these state forests occupy exceed 2,000 feet in elevation

in some spots, making them popular nesting areas for more typically north­

ern species of birds such as Red-breasted Nuthatches, Golden-crowned

Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos. The forests here are also a good place ro look

for owls.

Maple and Black Cherry are dominant trees on much of the property.

Beneath the canopy a variety of ferns thrive, including New York Fern,

Spinulose Wood Fern, Sensitive Fern, C hristmas Fern , Cinnamon Fern,

Bracken Fern and Lady Fern.

Birding during spring migration may offer an abundance of warblers, vire­

os, and other songbirds. In addition ro the above-mentioned species, a late

spring visit may turn up Eastern Wood-pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher,

Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, C hestnut-sided Warbler, Black-th roat­

ed G reen Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Yellow-bellied

Sapsucker, and Veery.

108 C A S S A D A G A C R E E K W A T E R S II E D

Reed Rd

:r:

How To Get There

Harris Hill Management Unit

1 Miles

I-86 NY 394

:N

t

Harris Hill Management Unir is located jusr norrhwesr ofJamesrown and Falconer, NY.

There are unpaved forest roads and gas well roads rhroughour all three tracts of land

which comprise th e Harri s Hill Management Un it. H owever, rhere is o nly one rea l park­

ing area. To reach ir, rake NY 60 approximately 5.4 miles north fro m exir 12 Qamesrown)

off I-86 ro rhe four-way srop in Gerry. Ar rhis point, rhe Gerry-Ellington Rd (Cry 50) is

straighr ahead. Go srraighr approximately 4.3 miles ro rhe parking lor. lr is at rhe corner

of the Gerry-Ellington Rd and H arris H ill Rd.

H A R R I s H I I. L M A N A G EM E NT u N I T 109

Grouse fl!!d woodcock !Jabiu11 nt Kabob Wildlife Jltfnnagement Area. Photo by Gary jensen, }1:

What Woods, streams, marshes

Where Stockton State Forest is in the Town of Stockton, Chautauqua County, NY, three mi les southwest of the Village of Stockton. Kabob Wildlife Manage­ment Area is three miles southeast of the Vi llage o f Stockton.

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Stockton SF: Cassadag a, Hartfield

Kabob WMA: Cassadaga

Why Birding, wildflower and w ildlife watching.

Stockton State Forest I Kabob WMA New Yorlz State DEC, Division of Fish and Wilcllife

S rockro n State Forest consists of 977 acres of deciduous forest, conifer

planrarions, and marshes bisected by a stream. Kabob Wildlife

Management Area is a small 37.5 acre traer of wooded and field habitaL

Natural H istory Interest

T he valleys and ridges here have a norrh-norrhwesr/sourh-sourheasr orien­

tation, parallel ro rhe direction rhe glacier apparently moved as it buried the

landscape. Srockron Stare Forest occupies rhe high lands thar separate rhe

C hautauqua Lake and Cassadaga Creek watersheds. Coes Road follows this

divide so that when going norrh through the forest the Cassadaga valley is

on the right and the Chautauqua Lake basin is on the lefr. Marshy wetlands

form the headwaters of tributaries on eirher side of the road . From one of

these wetlands a strea m Aows easr ro meet Bear Lake O utler, descendi ng

some 400 feet through a shale creek bed for a lirtle over rwo miles. The val­

ley floor is scarrered with erratics, rou nded cobbles and boulders of foreign

rock du mped here by the glacier.

T he woodland va lley through which the stream runs is fil led with wild­

Rowers in the spring. Enrering the State Forest on Maring Road, which

bisects rhe Srate Foresr norrh-sourh , and descending the ravine (head ing

11 0 CAS SA D ,\ G A C REEK WA T E II S II ED

Stockton State Forest N

and Kabob WMA t Other Notes Guided tours of the proper(}' may

be arranged Monday rh rough

Friday, 8 a.m . ro 4 p.m. , by con­

tacting rhe DEC Forester ar 2 15

S. Work Sr., Falconer, Y 14733;

Tel: 7 16- 665-6111.

._ To Mayville

Ct 54

Mun er Rd

Cty54

Cty 52

c

Kabob WMA has a smal l park­

ing lor and a short hiking trail.

Plans for fu ture use of rhe Kabob

WMA include a cooperative

agreement with the Ruffed

G rouse Socie(}' to use rhc area for

landowner workshops ro demon­

strate wil d li fe habi tat programs.

How To Get There T he Stockton Stare Forest and

Kabob WMA arc loc:~ted JUSt

south of Stockton , Y, and

between Mayvi lle and

Sinclairville, NY.

H ead ing west o n 1-86, as you

approach Veteran's M emorial

Bridge bear right onro Y 430

west and go 1.2 miles to Exit I 0.

~ Sa er 0

Rd At rhe end of rhe exit ramp wrn

right, rhen left onto Bayview Rd,

which beco mes Coes Rd , approx­

imately 6 mi les to the inrersecrion

....., Q)

:"9 Vi Condin Rd

east) from Maring Road, one may encounrer Spring

Beauty, Cur- leaved Toorhworr, May-:~pple, Sh:~rp­

lobed Hepati c:~ , Round-leaved Yellow Violet, Yellow

Trour Lily, Blue Cohosh, and many other species

depending on rhe ri mi ng.

T he marshes provide habitat fo r sw:~ l l ows, ducks,

:~ nd Beavers.

Two miles east of Stockton Stare Forest is the small

Kabob W ild life Management Area which is ma naged as

a model demonstration area ro creare and im prove

habitat for Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock.

The habitat diversity ranges fro m open field to hard­

wood forest dominated by aspen .

of C ry 54. Either go Straight or

rurn righr onro Cry 54, rhen lefr onro Maring Rd to

reach rhe fo resr. To reach the Kabob WMA, conrinue

ro rhe end of Cry 54 and tu rn norrh (left) o nto C ry 380.

Proceed approximately 2. 1 mil es ro Waterman Rd .

Turn right onro \XIarerman Rd and go approximately

1.8 m iles to rhe K:~bob WMA on rhe righr side of the

road.

Head ing east on 1-86, after crossing Veteran's

Memori::tl Bridge bear lefr o nto Y 43 0 west and go 1.5

miles ro Ex it I 0. I: ro m here fo llow the di rect ions above.

T () c "T 0 1' s T AT E F 0 R EsT I K A B 0 ll \'</ J\11 A Il l

Chautauqua Lake Watershed 28. Bentley Sanctuary 29. Chautauqua Institut ion 30. Chautauqua Lake Out let Wetland Preserve 31. Cheney Road Marsh 32. Dobbins Woods Preserve 33. Elm Flats Wetland Preserve 34. Long Point State Park 35. North Harmony Management Unit 36. Prendergast Creek Wetland Preserve

...,

Chautauqua Lake Watershed

The C hautauqua Lake watershed is cenrral to the ecological and economic

well-being of our region. The lake has been designated an Important Bird

Area (JBA) by the National Audubon Society of New York Stare due to its pos i­

tion as a major stopover for waterfowl migratio n. Maxim um numbers of select­

ed species that have been documented in the past 20 years include 6 15 Common

Loons, 125 Pied-bi lled Grebes, 3000 Tundra Swans, 1200 Hooded Mergansers,

l l 0 Lesser Yel lowlegs, 250 Bonaparte's Gulls, and 23 Black Terns. It has also long

been famous as a fi ne sport fishing lake and for a variery of orher warer sports such

as sa ilboating.

Less rhan six miles of the lake's 42 mile shoreline remains undeveloped. This

sma ll remnan t provides fish and wildlife habitat and places of scenic beaury fo r

people ro enjoy. The conservation and preservation of these last few remai ning

undeveloped shorel ine areas is a priori ty of local conservatio n organizations such

as the Jamestown Audubon Sociery and rhe C hautauqua Watershed Conservancy.

An in-depth study of C hautauqua Lake has been published recently by the

C hautauqua Counry D epartment of Plan ning and Development. Chautauqua

Lake-Enteri11g the 21" Centwy: State of the Lnke Report is an up- to-dare report

on the condition of the lake and recommendations about actions to take that will

ensu re rhe lo ng-term healrh and inregri ry of the lake's ecosystem.

IIJ

Ti"flils nr BemleJ' Snnctumy lend the visitor pnst tm11quil sce11es like this one. Photo by Ryn11 Bunyn.

What Bottomland forest and stream

Where Bentley Avenue off of Fluvanna Avenue (Route 430) in the Town of Ell icott, Chautauqu a County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Lakewood, Ell ery Center

Why Spring wildflowers study, bird ing

Bentley Sanctuary Jamestown Audubon Society

The Ben tley Sanctuary is a 47-acre preserve ofborromland foresr. A qui­

etly meandering stream runs through it. The right-of-way of 1-86 abuts

the sanctuary on the north, and, in fact, a small, land-locked portion of the

preserve lies on the other side of the interstate highway. A system of tra ils,

with bridges that span the stream at certain points, allows access to much of

the property.

Natural History Interest T he Bentley Sanctuary is best known for its spring wildAower display, and

some yea rs it is indeed amazing. Over the years naturalists have identified

more than 330 species of Aoweri ng plants on the properTy. Among them are

several different ephemerals, Aowering plants that emerge and blossom for

only a brief period in the spring when sunlight reaches the forest Aoor, and

then wither and disappear fo r rhe rest of the year. Ephemerals include species

such as Yellow Trout Lily and Sp ring Beauty. Some of the other spring wi ld­

Aowers that appear there are violets, Red Trillium, White Trilli um, Marsh

Marigold, Toothwort, Dutchman's Breeches, Blue Cohosh, Sharp-lobed

Hepatica, Goldthread, Swamp Saxifrage, FoamAower, and Jack-in-the­Pulpir.

11-1 C II AUT AU QU A LAKE \'\/ATE R S I I E 1J

""'

~

Chautauqua Lake

Bentley :N

Sanctuary t q~f

u a:: .:::.:. c :J '-..... (j)

"

0.8

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Bentley Sanctuary

Exit I I

0 0.8 Miles

Rd

Vl t l9

BENTI.hY AN C T U ,\RY 115

Much of the forest at Bentley Sancmary consists of

large old American Beech, Northern Red Oak, Yellow

Birch and Eastern H emlock. Visitors in spri ng might be

treated to the sight of migrating songbirds such as Black­

throated Blue Warbler or Blue-headed Vireo. Common

Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers inhabit the thickets

along the stream near the entrance to the property, and

Wood Ducks nest deeper in the woods. Pileated

Woodpeckers may be seen here year-round. A large, year­

round feed ing station is maintained near the parking area,

allowing visitors to get very close to chickadees and

White-breasted N mhatches.

Other Notes Roger Tory Peterson did a breeding bird survey here in

1933. H e found 60 nesting pairs of birds and 70 species.

G ustavus Bentley, who was principal of Jamestown's

Washington Junior High School for 25 years, gave the

property to the Jamestown Audubon Society in 1960. In

1965 Mr. Bentley compiled a list of plants found within

the sancmary. The survey yielded 15 species of ferns, six

of orch ids, 24 of li lies, with a total of 353 species in 78

plant families . The plant comm unity has changed over

the years, partly due to natural causes, but also due,

unfortunately, to plant poaching. T he Audubon Society

cautions that no plants are to be disturbed or removed

from their sanctuaries. A Mother's D ay wildflower walk

for the public, led by a n expert botan ist, is held each yea r.

T he rradition was started by Gilbert Burgeson, late pres­

ident emeritus of Jamestown Audubon Society. For more

information contact Jamesrown Audubon Society at

1600 Riverside Road, Jamesrown, NY 1470 1; Tel:

7 16-569- 2345.

How To Get There Bentley Sanctuary is located just south of 1-86 and just

northwest of Jamestown , NY.

Prom exit 11 (Strunk Rd) off I-86, rake Strunk Rd ro

Y 430 (Fluvan na Ave). T here is a traffic light here. Turn

right onto NY 430 (Fluvanna Ave) and proceed approxi­

mately 0.5 mile to Ben tley Ave. Turn right onto Bentley

Ave and proceed to the sanctuary near the end of the

sn·eer. T he sign fo r the sanctuary is on your right, next to

rhe driveway. Th is driveway ends in a small grassy park-

111g area.

11 6 C ll i\UTi\UQUi\ L A K E \XIATER S HED

A smn/1 tributmy ofChnmnuqua Lnke flows throug/; Bent/e)' Snnctua')'· Photo by Ryan Butryn.

At Thunder Bridge Ravine a strertm tumbles down a shale creekbed toward Chautauqua Lake. Photo by Solon Morse.

What Forested ravines and shoreline of Chautauqua Lake

Where Off NY 394 in the Town of Chautauqua, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Chautauqua

Why Natura l history studies featuring birds, bats, plants

Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Ins titution is a National Historic Landmark and well

kn own su mmer cultural destination. T he 225 acres of rhe main prop­

erty slope down to the shoreline of Chautauqua Lake's northern basin . It is

located in the Town of C hautauqua, alo ng NY 394 on the western sho re of

the lake.

Natural History Interest Nature provides an ideal setting for the Victorian corrage-sryle homes and

recreational, cul tu ral and perform ing arts facilities scattered throughout the

beautiful village.

Along the lake shore are some of the old Black W illow trees that once more

co mmonly rim med the shore of the lake. In early spring, when rhe ice goes

off the lake in patches, waterfowl are com mo nly seen fro m Chautauqua's

gro unds, including Common Loon, Pied-billed G rebe, H orned Grebe, mer­

gansers, G reater and Lesser Scaup, Red head , Canvasback, Goldeneye, and

Bufflehead. Later in spri ng a number of waterfro nt "apartment ho uses"

anracr Purple Martin s to nest. The brushy areas along the shore are good

places ro find Eastern Towhee and G ray Catbird.

Deeply cut wooded ravines dissect the village's slopes in places, inviting

the vis iror ro explore these q uiet woodlo ts. T he best known, called Thunder

Bridge Ravine, near the Insti tution's south end , is so-called because of the

wood decked bridge for walking and bi cycl ing that spans irs width . The

117

Cty18

11 8 CIIAU T AUQUA L AK E \XIA TE R S I-I E O

Chautauqua Institution

0

:N

t Miles

3: Q)

t---->

Ramsey Rd

Chene Rd

ro co

ravine is a good place for birding during spring, when a

variety of vireos, warblers, thrushes, and other neo tropi­

cal mig rants pass through on migration. A resident pair

of Eastern Screech Owls nest in the vicini ty, and a pai r of

Pileated Woodpeckers is frequently observed . Co mmon

wildAowers include Yellow Trout Lily, Solomon's Seal,

and Canada MayAower. The creek along the ravine's bot­

rom courses over shale bedrock. A few good fossils may

still be found. The ravine is laced with trails that lead ro

three di fferent gathering areas for nature study groups:

The 0. G ilbert Burgeson Natu re C lass room, rhe Roger

Tory Peterson Narure C lassroom, and the Mabel Powers

Fire C ircle.

The beautiful native forest trees are a crucial compo­

nent of the general "feel" of rhe place- som e people eire

rhese rrees as a main reason to visit C haurauqua. The t rees

include Sugar Maple, Am erica n Beech, Northern Red

Oak, Yellow Birch, Eastern H em lock, those that make up

the climax forest communi ty of rhe Northern H ardwood

Forest. Also present in this fo rest are large Tuliprrees and

C ucumber Magnol ias, the nor-rhernmosr members of rhe

magnolia fami ly. T here are even small American

C hestnut rrees in rh is forest, which will eventually suc­

cumb ro rhe chestnut blight rhar wiped these trem endous

rrees from the eastern forests. C hautauqua's golf course,

on the west side of Route 394, has a remarkable specimen

rree, rhe largest Eastern H o rn beam in New York Stare,

and certainly one of rhe largest in existence. T his usually

small, spindly rree common in the understory of fo rests

throughout rhe regio n, has grown here ro incredible size,

over three feet in diameter.

C haurauquans have a special fond ness for bars. Over

rhe pasr several years bar researchers and educators have

focused attention on C hautauqua's population of Li rtle

Brown Myoris, their appetite fo r mosquiroes, and their

coexistence wirh people. Over a hundred people turn our

for weekly "bar chars" about bar conservation and habirar

improvement, sponsored by the C hautauqua Bird , Tree

and Garden C lub. A night garden near Smith W ilkes H all

features a sculpture of a Little Brown Myoris by noted

sculptor Larry G riffis.

C!J11urtwqurls JoC11! poim for quier comemplmion fllul 1111111re srut6( P!Joro b)' Solon Morse.

entrance fee is charged, except on Sundays. From late

August ro !are June visito rs m ay drive o nto the grounds.

The C hautauqua Bird , Tree and Garden C lub is a nature

study group that protects the Institution's natural beauty,

promotes conservation , conducts garden and house rours,

and presents program s abo ur bars and Purple Martins for

residents and visirors during the summer season .

How to Get There

C hautauqu a Institu tion is located north of 1-86 and just

offNY 394.

From exit 8 (Mayville, Lakewood) off 1-86, rake NY

394 north approxim ately 5 . I miles ro rhe Chautauqua

Other Notes Institutio n m ain gate. The main gate is on your right

Chautauqua is an active educatio nal and cultural com- directly across the road fro m the entra nce ro the

mun iry. During its nine-week summer season, a daily C hautauqua Go lf Course and rhe main park ing lor.

C H AUT AU QUA J N S TIT U T I 0 N 119

Scenic ant! ecologically important shoreline habitat under the Chaurauqua W'mershet! Conservancy's protection. Photo by j olm Jablonski.

What Wetlands bordering Chautauqua Lake Outlet

Where Town of Ellicott, Chauta uqua Cou nty, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Lakewood

Why Birding and wildl ife observation

Chautauqua Lake Outlet Wetland Preserve Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy

T he wetland Rood plain sire protects 23 acres, includ ing I ,750 feet of the

north shore of the C hautauqua Lake O utler. An old ra il bed parallels

rhe river th rough rhe property. A variC[)' of plants and animals dependent on

regularly Aooded condi tions may be observed here.

Natural H istory Interest

The sire is predominantly red maple swamp and shrub swamp. A variety of

fe rns, along wirh wetland herbaceous specialties such as Cardinal Flower and

shrubs such as Buttonbush, compose the pl ant communi ty here. Midland

Pain red Turtles may be seen sunning themselves on a summer day.

Th is sire, along with orher places along the shore of the Chautauqua Lake

Outler, provides good habitat for migratory birds, particularly waterfowl. It

is usually ice-free all winter. Species that may be observed here include Pied­

billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Tundra Swan, Canada Goose, Common

Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merga nser, Common

Goldeneye, BufAehead , and many orhers. Terns and gulls of various species

are also frequent visitors. The area is also a good place ro observe O spreys

and Bald Eagles . Bald Eagles, especially, inhabit the ice front of C hautauqua

Lake, which Auctuates with weather co nd iti ons but is often in the Celoron

VICtnt t)'.

G reat Blue Heron, Green Heron , Black-crowned Night H eron and

120 C 1-1 A U T J\ U QUA l AKE \ '{1 J\ T E R S H E 0

American Bittern may be observed o n

an o utle t boar trip. Double-crested

Cormorant can sometimes be seen

perching in trees .

Beaver, Muskrat, and Mink are all

likely to be observed along rhe O utle t,

especially during rhe twi light hours .

Other Notes ft is often a very rewarding experience,

weather permitting, ro paddle the

Outler any time there is o pen water,

with appropriate protective gear. For a

good , easy flat water trip, leave a vehi­

cle a t McC rea Point Park, near the

in tersection of West 8th St and Jones

and Gifford Ave in Jamestown; put in

at the public boar launch in Celoron

(sec below) and paddle back down to

M cC rea Point.

For more information about the

Ou tier Preserve contact the C\'\IC ar

41 3 Norrh Main Street, Jamesrown,

NY, 14701; Tel: 716-664-2 166;

Fax: 716--483-5007; E-mail: chaur­

wsh@nersync.nct; Web Sire: chau­

rauq uawarershed .o rg.

How To Get There The C hautauqua Lake Outler Wetland

Preserve is located along rhe C hadakoin

River, jusr northwest of Jamestown ,

NY. There is no access to this site from a

public highway. The best way to get

there is by canoe from Luci lie Ball Park

in Celoron, NY. This park can be

reached by raking Dunham Ave off N Y

394 (Fairmo unt Ave) just east o f

Lakewood. From the park, go east

approximately 0.5 mile down rhc

Outler, away from rhe boar bunch. The

preserve is on rhe north side of rhe

Outler (to you r left as you a re going

downstream ). Preserve bo undary signs

m ark the preserve. You can rake your

canoe out further downstream at

McCrea Point Parle McCrea Point Park

is located in rhe C ity of Jamestown , off

Jones and Giffo rd Ave, and can be

reached from Lucille Ball Park by rak­

ing Bo ulevard Ave east to Jones and

Gifford Ave.

Chautauqua Lake Outlet Wetland

Preserve 0.5 0 0.5 Miles

C H AUT ,\ U QUA l A K E 0 U T l. E T WET l. AN 0 p R ES E RVE 121

CIJene)' Rond MnrsiJ, nlso known f1S Open Meadows Mnrs/1, is nn exceptionnl mngner for wiltllifo in tiJe region. PIJoro b)' Kristi BurciJ.

What Large cattail marsh along Ball Creek, a tributary of Chautauqua Lake

Where Town of North Harmony, Chauta uqua County, NY, near the west end of Cheney Road

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Chautauqua

Why Bi rding, wild life observation

Cheney Road Marsh Privately oumed, with Federal Conservation Easements

Cheney Road Marsh is private ly owned , and the property must be

respected as such. There are Federal Conservation Easements o n the

land , meaning that the wetland is permanently protected. T he marsh is t ra­

versed by a public road , which makes it practical to view birds and other

w ildlife using b inoculars o r a spotting scope from the shou lders.

Natural H istory Interest

C heney Road Marsh is on e of the largest cattail marshes in the region and

has caughr the attentio n of area naturalists in recent years.

The marsh was created vvhen Beaver activity along Ball Creek Aooded the

adjacen t m eadow. The water level in the wetland Aucruates somewhat,

depending on the stare of repair of rhe beaver dam rhar holds back rhe warer.

Carrails grow profusely, some on Roaring mats of vegetatio n that drifr about

the marsh. Orher plan ts tha t may be found there incl ude Swamp Milkweed

a nd Marsh C inquefoil. G reen Darner d ragonA ies may be seen duri ng the

summer, breeding and preying on mosquitoes. C rayfish inhabir the marsh,

along wirh sunfish , Largemouth Bass, and Brown Bullhead.

Reptiles and amphibians that have been recorded include Co mmo n Water

Snake, Eastern Garter Snake, Sported Salamander, Bull frog, G reen Frog,

122 CHAUTAUQUA LAKE \ XIA T ERS II ED

Pickerel Frog, Spring Peeper and

American Toad.

Birds known to breed in rhe marsh

include Sora, Vi rginia Rail, Common

Moorhen , Swamp Sparrow, Canada

Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Pied­

billed Grebe, Savannah Sparrow, Pileared

Woodpecker, Tree Swallow, and Marsh

Wren . Orher birds rhar have been

observed there include such fine rarities

as Least Bittern and Nelson's Sharp­

tailed Sparrow, as well as Blue-winged

Teal, Great Blue Heron, G reen Heron,

Great Egret, Osprey, Northern Rough­

winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, and

Barn Swallow. In April 1999 a Sandhi ll

Crane was observed on property next to

the Marsh along Cheney Road.

Ct 18

To .-sherman l-86 Exit 7

l n addition to rhe Beavers rhar engi- 1---'B::..:a:..ck:.:::e'--r --'-=---i

nee red rh is exceptional and accessible

wetland, Mink, Muskrat, Red Fox,

Mcadow Voles, and White-railed Deer

have been observed.

Other Notes

lt must be emphasized rhar rhe Cheney

Road Marsh is private property and must

nor be entered on foot, by canoe or any

other means without rhe express permis­

sion of rhe owners. T he property is

included in rhis atlas because it is ecolog­

ically significant and can be observed

from rhe pub! ic roads nearby.

How To Get There The Cheney Rd. Marsh is located just

south of 1-86 a few miles from

Chautauqua Lake.

From ex it 8 (Mayville, Lakewood) off

1-86, take NY 394 east approximately

1.7 miles to Cheney's Road on your

right. Turn right onto Cheney's Rd and

continue ro the end of the road. The

marsh is located along rh is last stretch of

rhe road.

'0 C(

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Rd '0 cr: ll '5 aJ

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Cheney Road Marsh

0

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C H EN E Y R O AD MARS II 12)

Nortbem hmdwood forest n1

Dobbins V(loods. Pboto by Cary )ewm, )1:.

What Hardwood forest a nd conifer pla ntation

Where Town of North Ha rm ony, on Bly Hi ll Road, Y2 mi le west of Route 394.

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Panama.

Why Birding, wi ld life, wi ldflower and fo restry stud ies

Dobbins Woods Preserve Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy

The 1 00-:1cre Dobbins Woods Preserve contains two different kinds of

fo rest habirars which can be reached by a loop tra il sui table fo r both

hiking and cross coun try skiing.

Natural H istory Interest:

T he sire occupies a ri dgetop overlooking C hautauqua Lake. There is a sm all

weda nd at rhe wp of the ridge, our of which Rows the headwaters of two

C hautauqua Lake rriburaries.

Two d istinct fo rest commun ities occupy the property. The western 52

acres exhibits rhe "pir and m ound topography" rhar characterizes forests that

have not been plowed fo r cropland. T he fores t Aoo r here rises and falls,

revealing places where t rees long ago uprooted and toppled over due ro wind

storm s, leaving only mounds and depressions in the soil to show where trees

have ro tted away. T he moist forest is dominated by Red Maple, Eastern

H eml ock, and Yellow Bi rch, some of which are very large. Other rree species

incl ude C ucumber Magnolia, Tuli prree, Sugar Maple, American Beech,

Shagbark H icko ry, Black Cherry, No rthern Red Oak and W hite Oak.

H awthorn, Eastern Horn beam , Northern Arrowwood, and Com mon

Spicebush occur in the understory.

The eastern 48 acres is co mposed of abandoned farmland. It was plan ted

with Red Pi ne and Scorch Pine, which now are gradually being replaced

I 24 C H A U T A U Q U A l A K E \Y/ A T E It S I I E I)

with a naturally invading mixture of hard­

wood rrees.

Ferns and wild Rowers are abundant on the

property. It is an especially good place ro

appreciate spring-blossoming wildAowers.

Among th ose that may be seen are both Red

and White Trillium, Yell ow Trout Lily,

Canada MayAower, Wild Oars, Perfoliate

Bellworr, Solo mon's Seal, False Solomon's

Seal, Marsh Marigold, KidneyleafBurrercup,

Goldrhread, Sharp-lobed Hepatica, May­

apple, Blue Cohosh, Common Toorhwort,

Spring Beauty, FoamAower, Miterwort,

SrarAower, and Round-leaved Yellow Violet.

Other Notes There are no resrrooms or other faci lities at the

sire, and parking is currently along the road.

Plans are for a forestry demonstration area,

using besr management practices, to occupy To

parr of rhe property where hardwoods are

replacing pine planrarions. The Chautauqua

\XIarershed Conservancy offers spring wild­

Rower walks and orher public rour opponuni­

ries. For information conracr rhe CWC at 413

Norrh Mai n Sr. , Jamestown, NY 14701;

Tel: 716-664-2 166; E-mail: chaurwsh@net-

sync.ner; Web sire: www.cwc.org.

How To Get There Dobbins Woods Preserve IS located just

sourh of 1-86 and less than a mile from

Chautauqua Lake.

From exit 8 (Mayville, Lakewood) off 1-

86, take NY 394 easr approximately 2.5

miles ro Bly Hi ll Rd on yo ur righr. Turn right

onto Bl y Hill Rd and proceed to Dobbin's

Woods. T he woods are located on the left

side of rhe road. They begin approxi mately

0.5 miles from NY 394 and end approxi­

matel y 1.2 miles from NY 394. Park beside

rhe road.

Rd

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L.

2 c: 2- Steinhoff Rd

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Dobbins

Dobbins Woods Preserve

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D 0 13 1.1 1 N s w 0 0 D s pR Es E R v E 125

Maidenhair Fems flou rish in the

red maple swamp around rhe I I I d upperreadmofBig lnlet. E m F ats Wet an Preserve Photo by jolm Jablonski.

What Red maple swamp at headwaters of Big Inlet, a major tributary of Chautauqua Lake

Where Town of Chautauqu a, 3 miles north of Mayville, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Hartfield

Why Birding, p lant and wi ld l ife study

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy

T he Elm Flats Werland Preserve is 83 acres of red maple swamp along

Big Inlet and several small tributaries. There are no rrails on the sire.

Natural History Interest

T his site is located on the Lake Escarpment moraine, a glacial debris pile rhar

lies across rhe boundary berween rhe northern end of Chautauqua Lake and

rhe Portage Escarpment. Here rhe topography is pirred wirh werlands and,

furrh er to rhe northeast, with lakes (Bear Lake and Cassadaga Lakes) rhat

formed when rotting ice broke off the retreating glacier and became buried

in glacial debris. T he extensive werland ar Elm Flars is rypical and is rhe

largest wetland tributary of Chautauq ua Lake.

The sire is known ro harbor a wide variel)' of native ferns. Among those

that have been identified ro dare are Sp inulose Woodfern , Christmas Fern ,

New York Fern, Lady Fern, Maidenhair Fern , Osrrich Fern , C innamon Fern ,

lnrerrupred Fern , and Royal Fern . Lycopodia rhar are known to occur on the

sire are Shining Clubmoss, Wolfclaw Lycopodium, Running Pine, and Tree

Club moss. Some of rhe Aowering plants thar inhabit rhe place are Wood land

Jack-in-rhe-pulpir, White Tri ll ium, Painred Trillium, Canada MayAower,

Indian Cucumber-root, Solomon's Seal, Marsh Marigold, Swamp

Buttercup, Round-lobed Hepatica, Dwarf Ginseng, and several violets,

includ ing North ern W hire, Smoorh Yellow, Round-leaved Yellow, Pale, and

126 C II A U T A U Q U A l A K E \'(/ A T E R S H E D

Marsh Blue. Eastern Hemlock, Red

Maple, W hi te Ash, Yellow Birch,

American Beech, Black Cherry, and

Cucumber Magnolia contribute to the

forest canopy.

Judging from rhe wetland topogra­

phy, it is suspected that a diversity of

amphibians inhabit the sire, bur rhey

have not been surveyed to dare. Birds

that have been observed here include

Downy Woodpecker, Hairy

Woodpecker, Pi leared Woodpecker,

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern

Wood-pewee, Wood Th rush, Veery,

Common Yellowrhroat, Northern

\'\/arerrhrush, American Redstart,

Swamp Sparrow, Grear C rested

Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Red­

eyed Vireo, and Red-shouldered

Hawk. Beaver activity is evident along

Big Inlet.

Other Notes Elm Flats Wetland Preserve is open to

rhe public from sunrise ro sunset, year

round. Hunting is permitted and hi k­

ers should use caution especiall y during

hunti ng seasons. A map and co mpass

are a must for anyone exploring this

property, and high waterproof boors

are a good idea as wel l.

Guided tours of the sire may be

arranged for youth or adult nature

groups by contacting the ewe at 4 13 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY,

14701 ; Tel: 716- 664-2 166; Fax:

483-5007; E-mail : chaurwsh@ner­

sync.ner; \'\feb sire: chaurauquawarer­

shed.org.

How To Get There The Elm Flats Wetland Preserve is

located just northeast of Mayville, NY.

From the in tersection of NY 394

and NY 430 in Mayville take NY 430

Rd

Barnes

u a:: c 0

~ Elm (;) Flat

..., u Q) c.

"' e Q.

east for approxi mately 1.7 miles to C ry

54. Turn left onto Cry 54. After th is

turn , watch for Elm Flat Rd on your

left. Turn left onto Elm Flat Rd and

proceed approximately 2 miles to

Lawson Road. Turn left and go approx­

imately 1.0 mile and look for a small

clea ring and preserve sign on the right

(north) side of the road. Visitors may

park in rhe driveway in rhe clearing

when mowed or along rhe road.

0 1 Miles

ELM F L ATS PR ES ER V E 127

Long Point's exrmon:linrny value is summed up in scenes like this u11tmmmeled stretch ofshore. Photo by Mark Baldwin.

What Wooded peninsula on Chautauqua Lake

Where A long eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake, north of Bemus Point in the Town of Ellery, Chautauqu a County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Chautauqua

Why Birding, wild life watching, aquatic ecology

Long Point State Park New York State Office of Parks, Recreatiou, and Historic Preservatiou

Long Point Srare Park's 320 acres encompass one of rhe most scentc

srrerches of undeveloped shoreline on Chautauqua Lake.

Natural History Interest Long Point Stare Park lies on top of a deposit of glacial debris rhar resulted

in rhe subsequenr fonnarion of Chautauqua Lake inro a norrhern and a

southern basin. T he deposit is known as the Find ley moraine. A shorr dis­

tance fro m the tip of the peninsula is a kettle, presumably of glacial origin ,

which at over 4 5 feet deep makes i r one of th e deeper parts of the lake. T he

poinr irsclfis forested with massive Norrhern Red Oaks along with American

Beech, Eastern Hemlock, Shagbark Hickory, and Cucumber Magnolia. A

fin e show of spring wi ldflowers here includes Spring Beaury, Trout Lily, Red

Trillium, W hite Trillium, and Canada Mayflower.

T he areas offshore, of course, arc popular for spo rt fishing. For the tutu­

ralist, in addi tion to fish, arc a number of other aq uatic organisms that can

be observed here, including freshwater mussels. Species that inhabit the

sandy, cobbled botrom here include Violet Shell or Lady Finger, Pocketbook,

and Kidney Shell.

Birds that may be observed at Long Point include Belted Kingfisher, Wood

128 C H A U T AU QU A L AKE WATER S II E 0

r (!I

~ v;·

;n c.

Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, and a vari­

ery of warblers. Warerfowl include a

variery of diving d ucks, merga nsers,

and Commo n Loo n.

Other Notes

Long Point Srare Park is a full -serv­

ice day-use park wirh a marina rhar

includes a res taura nt, picnicking,

shelters which may be reserved , play­

grounds, and a beach-bathhouse

complex. N o cam ping is allowed in

rhe park.

How To Get There Long Point Srare Park is located o n

Long Point N

t State Park 0 1 M1les

Luce Rd (ll Cll

< "0 n;· 0::

~ Walker Rd

;n c.

rhe eastern side of C hautauqua Lake

and just off 1 Y 430.

Fro m east of the lake o n I-86, as

yo u approach Veteran's Memo rial

Bridge, bear righ t o n to N Y 4 30 west

(ex it I 0) and proceed approx imately

2.6 mi les ro rhe park. There is a large

sign on the righr side of the road

across from the park entrance.

From west o f the lake on 1-86,

after crossing Veteran's Memorial

Bridge, bear left onto NY 430 west

(ex it I 0) and proceed app roximately

2.9 miles ro the park. T here is a large

sign on the right side of the road

across from the park entrance.

l 0 N G p 0 I NT 5 TATE pARK 129

Hemlock nnd Yellow Birc/; line the IJendwmers of Goose Creek. Photo by Kevin Pnrkmnn.

What forests and wetlands totaling nearly 4,000 acres

Where Towns of North Harmo ny and Ha rmony in Chautauqua County, NY. The State Fo rest lands are north of Panama, NY, a nd so utheast of Sherman, NY.

USGS Ouadrangle(s): North Harmony, Panama, Sherman, Chautauqua

Why birding, study of forest and wildlife management, hydrology

North Harmony Management Unit New York State Department of Environmental Couservation

The orrh Harmony Management Unit is located o n a divide separat­

ing the Brokensrraw C reek, French C reek, and Chautauqua Lake

watersheds. lr is made up of two reforestation areas, roraling 3,886 acres

bet\veen rhe villages of Panama and Sherman, Norrh H armony Srare Forest

ro rhe sou th and W halen Memo rial Srare Forest ro rhe no rth. T he Freel J. C usimano Wests ide Overland Trail (which is maintained by the Parks

Div isio n of rhe C hautauqua County Department of Public Works and rhe

C hau tauqua Coun ty Parks Commission) traverses rhe stare fo rests for

approximately 5 miles from north ro south.

Natural History Interest These were among rhe marg inal agricultural lands purchased by rhe people

o f New York Stare starring in rhe 1930 's fo r timber production, recreatio n,

watershed p rotection and w ild li fe habi rar. During rhe G rear Depression rhe

C ivi lian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established by President Franklin

Roosevel t ro provide em ployment for young men. The Norrh H armony sire

was rhe scene of CCC projects ro identifY boundary lines, work on forest

protection activities such contro lling blister rust (a fungus disease of p ine

trees), and plant thousa nds o f pine, larch and spruce trees in old farm fields.

Today, the conifer stands arc being managed with a series of partial rhinn ings

ro encourage g rowth of native Eastern H emlock and hardwoods such as

130 C 11 A uTA u QuA LA K E W/ A ·r E R s H E o

Warner

~ 10

!i: Wiltsie

NY 474 ~

Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Black Cherry, White Ash,

and American Beech.

T he land , predom inantly upland forest between

elevations of 1600 and 1900 feet, also prod uces rhe

headwaters of Prendergast C reek, Li rrlc Brokensrraw

C reek, French C reek, and Goose Creek. Plus, much

of rhe northwest section o f the North Harmony Stare

Forest (fro m which three of these streams Aow) is

excellent wetland. Each stream Aows away fro m the

management unit in different directions and empties

in ro different bodies of water. Little Brokensrraw

Creek Aows southeast where it empties inro

Brokensrraw C reek. French C reek Aows no rthwest

before trending southward. Prendergast C reek Aows

G) 0 (/1

::r (l)

:J

North Harmony N

Management Unit t 0 1 Mile

Baker Rd

northeast into C hautauqua Lake, and Goose C reek

Aows southeast in ro C hautauqua Lake. The visiro r ro

this important headwater area in !are sum mer will

enjoy the sight of wetland meadows fi lled with wild­

fl owers such as Sported Touch-me-not, Boneset,

Spotted Joe-pye Weed , and even the ra re and beauti­

ful Ca rdinal-Aower, which Roger Tory Peterson

described as "America's favorite." T he management

uni t is home to deer, Beaver, fox, Striped kunk, coy­

ore and rabbi t.

Some birds that a rc li kely robe seen here are Great

Blue Heron, Green H eron, Wood Duck, Belted

Kingfisher, Alder Flycatcher, Veery, Scarlet Tanager,

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, M agnolia Warbler,

N 0 I( T 1-1 H A I( M 0 N Y 1vt A N A C E M EN T U N IT 131

A midmmmer shower rtclds to the lw/; feel of these hilltop wetlrmcls. Photo by Kevin Parkman.

Blackburnian Warbler, Hooded Wa rbler, and Ovenbi rd .

Other Notes T here is a parking area along NY 474, at the southern end ofNorrh H armony State

Forest, where the Westside Overland Trail enters the management uni t. A day use area

is also located along Warner Rd near the Westside Overland Trai l. It includes picn ic

tables, g rills, and an outhouse. There is another picni c area along rhe trail within the

coun ty owned land on the eastern side of North H armony State Forest. T his area

includes a lean-to , picnic tables, a hand pump, and a nice view of a small pond . T he

trail is well marked, bur visitors traveling in rhe backcountry are advised to have a

topographic map and compass.

How To Get There The Norrh H armony Managemenr Unit is located jusr northwest of Panama, NY,

between NY 474 to the south and 1-86 ro rhe north.

To reach rhe Wh alen Memorial Stare Forest, rake C ry 33 south (towards Panama)

from l-86 exit 7 (Panama, C hautauqua [nsrirurion) . Continue on Cry 33 approxi­

mately 0.6 m iles to Eiden Rd. Turn right onro Eiden Rei and proceed approximately

2.9 m iles to rhe end of the road. Ar rhe end , rurn left onto Town Line Rd. Continue

on Town Line Rd approximately 1.1 m iles to a gared fo rest road on your left. At rhe

end of rhis road there is a parking area and access to rhe Cusimano Trai l.

To reach rhe North H armony Srare Forest, rake Cry 33 south (towards Panama)

from exit 7 (Panama, C hautauqua 1 nsri ru tion) off 1-86. Co ntin ue on Cry 33 approx­

imately 6.0 miles to rhe traffi c light ar the inrersecrion of Cry 33 and NY 474. Turn

right onto NY 474. Conri nue on NY 474 approximately 1.9 mi les. A parking area and

access to rhe C usimano Trail are located here on the right side of the road .

IJ2 C H AUT AU QUA LAKE \ XfA T E R S H ED

Shoreli11e buffir WileS like rhis prot1ide crucial habitat for wamfowl a11d fish. Photo by Paula Cooley

What Wetland shoreline a long Prendergast Creek and Chautauqua Lake

Where Town of Chautauqua, Cha utauq ua Cou nty, 1.25 miles south of Chauta uqua Institu tion on west side of Cha uta uqua Lake

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Chautauqua

Why Bi rding, w il dl ife observation

Prendergast Creek Wetland Preserve Chautauqua "Watershed Couservancy

T he Prendergast C reek Wetland Preserve is a small , bur signi ficanr, six­

acre sire located ar rhe mouth of Prendergast C reek, a tributary strea m

of C hautauqua Lake. It incl udes 500 feet of wetland frontage on the lake and

435 feet of the creek. The wetland lake fronrage north of rhe sire is owned

by New York State, protecting the wetlands north of the creek ro the NYS

DEC Fish Cultural Station and public boat launch.

Natural History Interest

T his property is an inregrallakefront parr of a 97-acre wetland with the most

b io logically p roductive shallow water hab itat on C hau tauqua Lake. T he site's

preclominanr rree species is Silver Map le. Basket W illow, Black W illow,

Shagbark Hickory, Red Maple, Silky Dogwood, Red-osier Dogwood, and

Butronbush are among rhe other tree and shrub species present. The sho re­

line has a lush commu ni ty of em ergent aquatic plants, which provides essen­

rial aq uatic habitat for lake fisheries and wildlife. Species include Bullhead­

lily, Spatterdock, Fragrant Water- li ly, Broad- leaved Arrowhead, and

Pickerelweed. Fishermen frequenr the lake side of these weed beds in pursuit

of Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Muskellunge.

Herbaceous flowering plants raking advanrage of the wet soils on the sire

133

include Borrlebrush Sedge, Skunk

Cabbage, False Hellebore, Cur­

leaved Water-horehound , Swamp

Smarrweed, True Forger-me-not,

Purple Loosestrife, Sported Touch­

me-not, Sported Joe-pye Weed,

Boneser, Blue-eyed Grass, Yellow

Iris and Blue Flag. Osrrich Fern

and Royal Fern also grow here.

Great Blue Heron, Green

Heron, Grear Egret, Black­

crowned N ight Heron, Blue­

winged Teal, Wood Duck, Red­

winged Blackbird, Swamp Sparrow,

Pileared Woodpecker, Yellow-bel­

lied Sapsucker, and Red-headed

Woodpecker are some of rhe birds

rhar have been observed here. lr is a

good place to watch for Tundra

Swans and other waterfowl during

spring and fa ll migrations.

Mink and deer frequenr rhe sire,

and rhe prorecred waters of a creek

oxbow are habitat for repti les, such

as Mid land Painted Turtles, and

amphibians, such as Bull frogs.

Many species of dragonAies and

damseiAies inhab it the protected

shoreline area.

Other Notes

Paddl ing a kayak or canoe along

To Sherman f-

the shoreline is the best way to observe birds and other

wildl ife at this preserve. Because of the sensitivity of this

habitat, no public foot access is available.

Guided tours of the site may be arranged for youth or

adulr narure groups of up ro six people by conracring rhe

CWC ar 41 3 North Main Sn·eer, Jamestown, NY, 1470 I; Tel: 7 16-664-2166; Fax: 7 16-483-5007; E-mai l:

chaurwsh@nersync.ner; Web Sire: chaurauquawarer­

shed.org.

How To Get There The Prendergast C reek Wetland Preserve is located at rhe

end of Prendergast Point on the western side of

1}4 C I I AUT AU QUA L i\ K E \ '(/ATE R S H ED

I-86

Prendergast Creek tN Wetland Preserve

0 1 M1les

Rd

Lewis

Ramsey Rd

Chautauqua Lake. There is no access to this sire from a

public highway. However, you can view this preserve from

boar or ca noe.

To reach the boar lau nch ar Prendergast Point, rake NY

394 west from exit 8 (Lakewood/Mayville) off 1-86.

Continue on NY 394 approximately 4.0 miles to

Prendergast Blvd. T his road is not marked. However,

there is a large brown C hautauqua Fish Hatchery sign

where this road meers NY 394. Turn right onro

Prendergast Blvd and follow it to irs end. The boat launch

is located here. By boat, the preserve is approximately 0.2

mile south of rhe launch and on the sourh side of rhe

Prendergast Creek outlet.

French Creek Watershed 37. Findley Lake Nature Center 38. French Creek Preserve 39. Lowvil le Wet lands Natural A rea 40. Wattsbu rg Fens Natural Area

::------.----,.,k,

) r

.../{ / \

/ ) /

French Creek Watershed

. ...} I I

~.J/ ..):.(

) I

~~Y; :-\. '"\ f \

l\

\ \ '-........_

\

French C reek is believed to have occupied a northwest-flowing watershed

(toward present-day Lake Erie) prior to the onset o f glacia tion. Repeated ice

advances, mosr recently the \'V'isconsinan, resulted in a reverse in the flow of rhe

stream to irs present course as part of rhe O hio River system.

French Creek provides habitat fo r about 75 species of fish, twice rhe number

found in most area drainage basins. This number includes 15 species of small ,

often colorful fish called darrers. Darrers' presence in rhe creek, in their present

numbers and diversity, indicates high water quali ty.

Freshwater m ussels are one of the most endangered groups of organisms in

North America. The creek supports ar least 25 species, more rhan are found

throughout rhe entire continent of Europe.

In all, rhe 1,200 square mile French Creek watershed provides habitat for 98

rare or endangered species of plants and animals. One of rhe most interesting

finds in recent years is a globally rare plant, Northern Prostrate C lubmoss

(Lycopodiefla margaritae), discovered in a secluded bog owned by Presque Isle

Audubon Society and rhe Botanical Society o f Wesrern Pennsylvan ia. It is known

to occur in irs natural habitat nowhere else on earrh. Because of rhe extreme rar­

ity of rhis plant and rhe uniqueness of rhe sire, irs locatio n is nor provided in rhis

book.

135

A large pond engineered by Beavers dominates the landscape here providing a /Jm;en for other wildlife. Photo by Mark Baldwin.

What Forest, beaver marsh and stream

Where Findley Lake, Town of Mina, Chautauqua County, NY, on North Rd., near Exit 4 on 1-86.

USGS Ouadrangle(s): South Ripley, Clymer

Why Wildlife observation, wetland ecology

Findley Lake Nature Center

Findley Lake Nature Center is an 11-acre property near the outlet of

Findley Lake.

Natural History Interest Nearby Findley Lake is a 309 acre lake connecting rwo glacial kettles that

have been dammed since the early 19th century. Water with a high nutrient

content flowing out of Findl ey Lake mixes with water fro m this spring-fed

wetland to create a unique start for the West Branch of French Creek.

T he Nature Center features a 10-acre marsh with a variety of wetland

plants and animals. An active beaver colony has created at least one lodge

and rwo active dams on the site, one of which stretches across the mouth of

the wetland. Eastern Hemlock, maple, Black Cherry, American Beech, and

Northern Red Oak are common trees. Hobblebush occurs in the understo­

ry. The wet areas and the forested upland have a good display of wildflowers

that includes Wi ld Leek, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Dwarf G inseng, Solomon's Seal,

Bugle, Marsh Marigold, Parrridgeberry, Sweet Wh ite Violet, May-apple,

Gold thread, Kidneyleaf Burrercup, G reenbrier, and Foamflower.

Amphibians that have been noted include Redback Salamander, Northern

Red Salamander, and Northern Slimy Salam ander. T he wetland harbors

Common Snapping Turtles and M idland Painted Turtles.

Great Blue H eron, Green Heron, and Red-winged Blackbirds, are a few

of the birds that inhabit this fine wetland area.

!36 F RE Nc H cREEK WI ATER s H ED

PA NY

~ NY 430

Gannon University Scientists are currently studyin g

the Nature Center property, which will yield a

thorough biological inventory when completed .

Other Notes The Nature Center maintains a gazebo and an operat­

ing replica of a water wheel at the outlet of Findley

Lake on the form er site of Alexander Find ley's gristmill

and sawmill. The Nature Center's classroo m is located

in the Mina-Findley Lake Community Center where

one can find environmental education and natural his­

tory resources-with a focus on wetland ecology-for

school groups and rhe general public. A nature t rail ,

along with biological monitoring and handicapped-

Findley Lake tx Nature Center

Hill Rd

Ravlin Hill Rd

accessible viewing areas are being developed.

How To Get There

T he Find ley Lake Nature Center is located just north

of Findley Lake, on Cry 3.

From exit 4 (Findley Lake) offl-86, go south on NY

426 approximately 1.0 mile ro NY 430 in the Village

of Findley Lake. Turn left onto NY 430 and proceed

approximately 0.3 m ile ro Cry 3 (North Rd). Turn left

and go approximately 0.3 mile to the Mina-Findley

Lake Commu nity Center parking lot on your left. The

Findley Lake Nature Center is located here.

FINDLEY LAKE NATURE CENTER 1}7

A srretch of French Creek viewed from the tmil above. Photo by Mark Baldwin.

What Forest and streambank habitat along French Creek

Where Four miles southwest of the vi llage of Findley Lake, bordering the Towns of Mina and French Creek, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Clymer

Why Birding, wi ld life w atching, stream eco logy

French Creek Preserve The Nature Conservancy

The French Creek Preserve consists of90 acres with % m ile of creek bank

as well as a portion of a t ribu tary stream. A trai l begins at the parking

area alo ng County Route 4 .

Natural History Interest

French C reek provides hab itat fo r about 75 species of fish. Among them are

the Northern Madrom , Mountain Madrom, Mountain Brook Lamprey,

O hio Lamprey, Black Redhorse, and 15 species of darters. Darters are fas t

moving fi sh with beautiful colo rs and markings ranging in length from 1.5

inches ro 7 in ches. T he most commonly fou nd are the Banded, Rainbow,

and G reenside Darters. T hree globally rare darter species that inhabit French

Creek are the Spotted Darter, Bluebreast D arter, and Longhead Darter.

Darters are good indicarors of water quality because they do not rolerate pol­

lu tion.

T he creek supports at least 25 species of mussels, including 10 that are on

federal o r state endangered species lists. Endangered species include

C lubshell and Northern RifAeshell. T hese bivalve moll usks take in dissolved

oxygen and fi lter suspended o rganic matter and pla nkto n from the water for

food. The stream's current is necessary for fertil ization. Fish th at inhabit the

scream , particularly darters, are necessary for the mussels' life cycle, as they

host their larvae on their gills. Adult mussels may live fo r decades, for the

1}8 FR ENCH C R EEK WATERSHED

Hill

u

most parr buried in rhe bottom sediment.

French Creek

Preserve

\t

T h reatened or endangered birds rhar inhabit rhc

watershed include American Bi ttern , Least Bittern ,

Black Tern , Short-ca red Owl, Sedge Wren, Marsh

Wren, Osprey, and Bald Eagle.

Other Notes

The French C reek Preserve has an informational dis­

play and brochures rhar explain rhc arure

Conservancy's reasons fo r designating rhis watershed

as one of rhe Last G rear Places, parr of an inrerna­

rional effo rt to conserve outstanding ecosystems.

T he Nature Conservancy seeks to preserve rhe

Rd

French Creek Preserve

0

Kidder Rd

Bai ly Hill

NY 474 Clymer

J{

t 1 M1les

Rd

integri ty of rhis biodiverse watershed through con­

servation and management, including an exemplary

collaboration with key landowners alon g rhe creek.

How To Get There

The French Creek Preserve is located just east of

French Creek, NY along Cry 4.

From ex it 4 (Findley Lake) off 1-86, rake Y 426

sourh approximately 5.5 mi les to C ry 4 . A couple of

rurns wi ll be needed ro stay on ty 426 from exit 4

to C ry 4 . Turn left onro Cry 4 and proceed approxi­

mately 3.2 m iles to rhe preserve. The preserve is on

your left. Look for the large wooden preserve sign.

FRENCII C R E E K PRESERVE 139

Lme summer colors n rnpesrry of plnm lift nr Lowville \'<lerlnnds.

Pboroby RynnBut~yn. Lowville Wetlands Natural Area

What Bottomland forest and wetland along the West Branch of French Creek

Where Venango Township, Erie County, PA

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Wattsbu rg

Why Birding, botanizing

Western Pennsylvania Conservallcy

Lowville Wetlands atural Area is a 259-acre tract located between the

eastern side of Route 8 and the West Branch of French C reek.

Natural History Interest French C reek is one of the most biologically diverse streams in the No rtheast

(see discussion under French C reek Preserve) . Lowville Wetlands Natural

Area is located in the upper French C reek watershed. This sectio n of French

C reek includes an uncom mon stream habitat, slow ru ns with si lt-sand bot­

wms that are believed w harbor the Eastern Sand Darter, an endangered fish

in Pennsylvania. Areas of the preserve next w the stream include sections of

old field , woodland, beaver ponds, wooded swamps, shrub fen , and about

two miles of srreambank along the West Branch of French Creek.

Much of the forest above the banks of the West Branch of French C reek

consists of young, dense stands of Silver Maple, American Hornbeam, and

Red Maple. On higher, drier sections the forest is dominated by American

Beech, Yellow Birch, and Sugar Maple.

Wetlands occupy rhe low terrace w the west of French C reek, incl ud ing a

significant and rare shrub fen. A shrub fen community is described as a grass,

sedge, or reed-dominated pearland, often with greater tha n 25o/o shrub cover

and less than 25o/o tree cover, developed under the in Auence of alkaline, min­

eral-rich, aerated groundwater. Some of the rare plants found in shrub fen

140 FRENCH CREEK WATERS H ED

communities are Red Currant,

Lesser Bladderworr, Downy

Willow-herb, Golden-fruited

Sedge, Mud Sedge, Slender

Spike- rush, Slender Cotton­

grass, Thin-leaved Cotron-grass,

Leafy Norrhern Green O rchis,

and Hooded Lad ies' Tresses.

Other Notes

Visirors are enco uraged to assist

the staff of the Western

Pennsylva nia Co nservancy in

the development of a trai l sys­

tem on the property to encour­

age visitors ro learn more abour

French Creek and surrounding

narural comm unities. For infor­

mation abo ut vo lu nteering

please contact the Western

Pennsylvania Conservancy at

3 I 6 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh,

PA I 5222; Tel: 4 I 2- 288-2777. Please co ntact rhe Director of

Stewardship at 724-329-14 11 if you witness any violation of

rhe property (e.g. garbage

dumpi ng, cutting trees, or

riding ATV's) .

How To Get There

Lo\w illc Wetlands atural Area

is located sourh of 1-86 and just

norrhwesr of Lowville, PA. The

wetlands arc fo und between PA

8 and rhe West Branch of

French Creek.

From 1-86 ex it 3 (Warrsburg,

North East) rake PA 89 south

approximately 8.2 miles to PA 8 in Lowville. Tu rn right onto PA

8 and proceed approximately

2.4 miles to rhe trai ls leading

inro the natural area. You can

park there beside the road. The

PA 430 "0 0:: ~. VI ~-E -:,.

.~ !> ..

~ -e ~

Wildman Rd

Knoy l

Page Rd

trails are on yo ur right, almost

directly across from Curtis Rd.

You can park beside rhc road

near these trails.

To Nonh East "{;

co 1.0

Lowville Wetlands :N

t Natural Area 0 0.9 M1les

Kimball

"0 0::

co ·c 0 "0

Cl) u co ~

LOWVILLE \1(/ETLANDS 14!

A sampling of the diverse pla11t community at \.'(/ausburg FeliS.

What Alkaline fen, beaver ponds, surrounding forest lands

Where North of Route 6 between Union City and Corry, Erie County, PA

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Union City

Why Birding, botany a nd wildlife study

Wattsburg Fens Natural Area Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

W attsbu rg Fens Natural Area is a 390-acre preserve of level wetlands to

forested slopes from 1400 feet to 1650 feet in elevation. T he sire is

located in eastern Erie County, near the headwaters ofHubbel Run. Alkaline

wetlands, known as fens, are associated here w ith beaver impoundments

along a number of slow-moving streams.

Natural History Interest Fens occupy abo u t 32 acres of the Natural Area. Fens are alkaline wetlands,

in contrast w ith most wetlands which are acidic. Rock particles deposited by

the Wisconsin glacier in this area contain significant amounts of limestone

g ravel w hich buffers the usually acidic rainfall as it percolates underground.

Thus, groundwater reaches the surface here in an alkaline conditio n which

creates the fens . Conditions here allow for the growth of several plant species

of special concern, incl uding Showy Lady's Slipper, a threatened species in

Pcn nsylvan ia.

Acid ic conditions in other parts of the wetlands support m any typical bog

species includin g sphagnum, Round-leaved Sundew, Dewberry, Virginia

Corron G rass, Sweet W hi te Violet, Grass Pink, Rose Pogonia, and Purple­

fringed O rchis.

Sm all parches of willow and alder fo rm dense thickets th roughour the

area . Small groves o f Tam arack, white pine, and hem lock grow on hum-

142 FREN C H C RE E l< \XIA T ERS I I ED

Fenno

To

ii7 ..., CT ro

;JJ 0.

PA NY

State Li ne Rd

Wattsburg Fens Natural Area

:N

t 0.9 0 0.9 Miles

NY PA

Follett Rd

0 0 :> Q)

!:!. 0 :>

Rd

;JJ 0.

recogn ized as ra re 111

Pennsylvania: Downy Willow­

herb, Autumn Willow, Yellow

Sedge, and Arerh usa.

Beavers may be observed

m aintaining ponds at rhe site.

Grear Blue H eron and Green

H eron along with ducks and a

van ery of songbirds are com­

mon .

Other Notes

Lare June and early July are

rhe best rimes ro see rhe wet­

land d isplays of o rchids. Insect

repellent is reco mmended since

deer Ai es are also abu ndant ar

rh is rime. In fall, Slender

Lad ies' Tresses are in bloom.

For in fo rmatio n co ntact rhe

WT>C ar 316 Fo urth Avenue,

Pittsburgh, PA 15222; Tel:

4 12-288-2777.

To~

----~-~Uc.::::S~6~-----+C:_::o:_:rr:_Y __ I How To Get There

\'V'amburg Fens Naru ral Area is

located alo ng PA 89 southeast

ofWarrsb urg, PA.

en From 1-86 exit 3 (Warrsburg, (X)

~ Norrh Easr) , rake PA 89 sourh

mocks of sphagnum roward the

o uter edges of rhe wet areas.

The co mbination of topog­

raphy and geology here, which

allowed fo r the fo rmatio n of

both acidic and alkaline envi­

ronments, has resul ted 1n an

unusual diversity of plant

species rhat thrive only under

rhese special condi tions. In

add ition ro the Showy Lady's

Slipper, the Natu ral Area har­

bors fou r o ther plant species

approx imately I 0.4 miles. At

this point you will have ro rurn

left ro co ntin ue on PA 89 . After

the tu rn , continue approxi­

mately 3 .7 mi les ro Warrsburg

Fens. Access to Wamburg Fens

is across from an o ld feed store.

Look fo r rhe silo wirh rhe Blue

Seal Feeds sign on ir. Park

beside the road here, being

careful of traffic.

\'(/AT T s B u R G F E N s N AT u R A L A R E A 143

'-

Brokenstraw Creek Watershed 41. Tamarack Swamp 42. \XIarrs Flars \XIi ldlife 1\llanagemenr Area 43. Hill Higher Srare Forest

~-, \

'""· ~ I I \

Brokenstraw Creek Watershed

T he whole Brokensrraw Creek watershed has been shaped by rhe most recenr

glaciation 15,000 years ago, either by direct conracr wirh rhe ice or outwash

from irs mclrw:uer. The resulr is a pined, scoured landscape with plenry ro inter­

est th e n :~rural isr ar lower elevarions: meandering streams, hillside runs, and wet­

lands, among rhe mosr biologically prod uctive wetlands in our region. These wer­

lands include bog and fen habirars wirh their un ique and fasci nating life-forms.

The reader will nore rhar rhose invaluable swamps, marshes, bogs and fens are

ofren found along rhe edge where rhe glacier unloaded irs burden of debris. Here

ir is known as rhe Kenr terminal moraine, rhe same pile in which Allenberg Bog

formed 35 miles to rhe northeast.

The uplands, 600 feer above rhe Brokensrraw valley Aoo r, are also of great in rer­

est. Rock ciries are scanered across rhe ridge-tops. T he reader will nore rhar these

sa ndsrone co nglomerate formations generally occur where rhe glacier did nor

reach. Yer, Panama Rocks, one of rhe mosr famous rock ciries, jurs our of a hill­

side ar rhe norrhernmosr end of rhe watershed. lr once lay buried several miles

wirhin rhe icc edge. Pikes Rocks similarly withstood rhe grind ing pressure of the

ice a good mile within irs farrhesr advance.

People musr have found rhis watershed arrracrivc very early in rhe history of

human occupation of this region. Archaeological work ongoing ar Buckaloons,

at rhe conAuence of rhe Brokenstraw and the Allegheny, indicates rhar people

have li ved here for thousa nds of years.

145

0"'-'"-~""- .. 1\ Shrub wetfnnd til Tnmnmck Swnmp. P!JOio by Kelley Downey.

What Bogs, fens, and swamps along Brokenstraw Creek

Where Between Columbus, PA and Clymer, NY in Columbus Township, Wa rren County, PA

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Columbus

Why Birding, wetland plant study

Tamarack Swamp Pennsylvania Game Commission State Game Lands #I97

T amarack Swamp totals I ,346 acres in two parcels of wetlands, wooded

and field areas along Brokenstraw Creek in rhe northwest corner of

Warren Coun ty, PA. An unusual fearu re of rhe sire is rhat parr of the north­

ern section, known as "Tamarack Swamp," is a bog with acidic water and

soils, while the parcel a mile to the southwest contains a fen, a wetland

recharged by alkal ine groundwater. T he property was named a National

Natu ral Landmark by the National Park Service in 1977.

Natural History Interest Tamarack Swamp lies in a wide, deeply gouged, sedi ment-filled va lley of

Brokensrraw Creek. A kame moraine, deposited by the W isconsin glacier,

dammed the creek which resulted in irs redirection and eventual abandon­

ment of rhe channel. Kettles also formed here from buried blocks of melt­

ing ice form ing the pitted, wetland topography visible roday.

Parr of rhc "swamp" in rhe northeastern parcel is actually a bog, irs waters

replenished by precipitation. Bogs generally lack an organized outlet and so

lose moisture mai nly by evaporation. Here, however, the bog is on a sligh t

ri lr and drains northwesterly to Brokenstraw Creek. Layers of sphagnum

moss make up rhe bog mar which is inhabited by insectivorous Pircher-planr

and Round-leaved Sundew. Trees in the area include Tamarack, and on sur­

rounding hummocks, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern White Pine, Black Cherry,

l.j6 J3 It 0 KENS T R AW CREEK \'(/ATE R S II ED

aspen, and American Beech .

To Panama

Tamarack Swamp t]{ (State G ame Lands 197)

1M.!es

T he wetland in rhe southwest­

ern parcel is a fen, a wetland

recharged by groundwater seeping

through surroundi ng kame

deposits co ntaining li mestone.

Oxbow ponds are numerous alo ng

the meandering Brokenstraw

Creek. T he alkaline character of

the water and soils here all ows for

a greater diversiry of plant species,

including a number of rari ties.

Because of the rari ry of this highly

special ized plant com mu niry, and

because of a problem with plant

poaching, the species and loca­

tions are nor specified here.

Brownell

W ildli fe adapted to rhe wetland

habitat include Beaver, M uskrat

and Mi nk. Waterfowl include

Wood Ducks, Mallards, and

Canada Geese. Ru ffed Grouse,

W ild Turkey, and Am erican

Woodcock may also be observed .

Other Notes

A map and com pass are essential,

and high rubber boors are recom­

mended when visiting this sire.

Tours are occasionally provided

and may be requested by contact­

NY

PA

ing rhe Pennsylvan ia Ga me Co mmission at P. O . Box 3 1,

Franklin, PA 16323; Tel: 814-432-3 187.

How To Get T here

Tamarack Swamp (Stare Game Land 197) is located north­

east of Columbus, PA, just south of the NY/PA border.

From the south: Fro m the intersection of US 6 and PA

9 57 in Columbus, PA, take PA 957 east approximately

1.0 m ile to Alder-bottom Rd. Turn left on to Alderbotto m

Rd and proceed approximately 2.6 miles ahead to Factory

Rd. From here you can co ntinue on the Alderbottom Rd

to a few small parking areas or you can tu rn left onto

Factory Rd and proceed approximately 0. 3 mile to rhe

Simmons Rd

:;o 0.

start of the southern section of Stare Game Land 197.

From the north: Fro m the intersection of Cry 15 and NY

474 in C lymer, N Y take C ry 15 sourh to State Line Rd .

Turn left onto Stare Line Rd and proceed approximately

0.2 mile to Facto ry Rd. Turn right onto Factory Rd and

proceed approximately 2.5 miles to the beginning of the

southern section ofSrate Game Land 197 . T he game land

is on the righ t side of the road . To reach the northern sec­

tion, continue to the end of Factory Rd and wrn lefr onto

Alderbottom Rd. T here are a few small parking areas on

rhis road.

TAMARACK SWAM P 147

Parr of rhe exrensi11e wrtlnnd wildlife hnbirnt in the upper Brokenstmwwfllershed. Phoro by jim Beny

What Wetlands and forested uplands in the Broken­straw Creek watershed

Where Chautauqua County, Town of Harmony, between Panama, NY and Bear Lake, PA

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Panama

Why Birding, w ildli fe w atching

Watts Flats WMA and Hill Higher State Forest New York State D epartment of Environmental Conservation

W arrs Flats W ildlife Management Area, along with H ill H igher State

Forest, constitute an area of some 3,000 acres of wetland and fo rest

located in the watershed of Brokenstraw C reek in the Town of Harmony,

C hautauqua County, N Y.

Natural History Interest Watts Flats WMA straddles a tributary of Little Brokensrraw C reek called

the East Branch. Watts Flats is mainly a wetland shrub swamp and emergent

marsh with a series of beaver ponds and artifi cial impoundments. The wet­

land area, formed over glacial lake sed iments, totals well over 1000 acres.

Game fish common to the C reek are Northern Pike, bullhead and sunfish.

The New York State D EC manages the area to provide habi tat for a vari­

ety of resident and migratory species. O ver 70 species o f birds breed here.

Waterfowl commonly nesting include Hooded Mergansers, Wood Ducks,

Mallards and Canada Geese. Nesting warblers include Canada, Mourning,

Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Hooded, Blue-winged , American Redstart,

Northern Waterrhrush, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat. Sparrows

breeding here include Swamp, Song, Savannah, Field and C hipping. T he

endangered New York State raptor Northern Harrier nests in the swamp

148 8 R 0 K E NS T RAW CREEK \Xf AT E R S H ED

Watts Flats WMA .N Other Notes

and t Hill Higher State Forest

Other stare forestlands 111 the

Panama Management Unit arc

Brokcnstraw and Panama State

Forests, to the west, and

Well man Multiple Use Area, to

rhe easr. Alrogether the Panama

M anagement Area rotals 5,097

acres. Ir is open year round, bur

narurc observation and srudy are

nor recomm ended du ring deer

hunting season ( I st Monday fol­

lowing rhe J)•h of ovember

lasting 3 weeks and 2 days) .

Muzz

areas blanketed wirh Learhcrleaf.

Hill Higher Srate Forest suffered damage ro borh irs

conifer plantat ions and hardwood fo rests during a torna­

do in 1985, and recovery ro these areas can be seen. The

upper elevations here provide nesting habitat for Black­

throated Green \XIarblers, Magnolia Warblers, Red-breasr­

ed N uthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Blue-headed

Vireos and Dark-eyed Juncos.

In addition ro Beaver, mammals that are co mmon ro

rhc area include White-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Mink, and

Raccoon. Rare bur occurring in the area arc Porcupine

and Black Bear.

0 1 Miles

Walton ian Dr

ton Rd

Rd

;;o a.

Sugar Grove, PA

How To Get There

The Watts Flars W ild life

Management Area and Hill

Higher State Forest are located

south of 'Y 474, wh ich is rhe

ma111 highway rhar passes

th rough Panama, NY.

From exlt 7 (Panama,

C hautauqua I nstitution) off I-

86, take Cry 33 sourh (rowards

Panama) approximately 6.0

miles ro the corner of Cry 33 and

NY 474 . Turn left onro NY 474

and proceed approximately 3 .0

m iles ro Swede Rd. Turn right

onro Swed e Rd and continue

approximately 2 .1 miles to where Burron Valley Rd bears

off to rhe left. At this point, make sure you turn right and

proceed down the slope in order to continue on Swede

Rd. If you do not turn right, you wi ll go onto Button

Valley Rd. Approximately 0.7 mile after this turn , you wi ll

come to W ilcox Rd on your right. T here are no parking

areas on Wilcox Rd, bur rhe road does go through Hill

Higher Stare Forest. Approximately 1.1 m iles past Wilcox

Rd is Green Flat Rd on your left. There is a parking area

at this corner as well as at rhe end of Green Flat Rd.

Approximately 0.5 mile past G reen Flar Rd is a parking

area on your left.

wA TT s F I. AT s w M A A N D H IL L H I G H E R s F 1{9

Chadakoin River Watershed 44. Al len Park 45. Falconer Millrace County Park 46. Jamestown Community College Prese rve 47. Lake View Cemetery 48. Roger Tory Peterson Institute

Chadakoin River Watershed

Jamesrown , o riginally named "The Rapids ," was serried due ro irs pos ition

along rhe rap ids of rhe C hadakoin River whi ch supplied water power fo r early

industries such as saw mills, grist m ills, and woolen mills.

Like many communities buil t around a source of water power, rhe C iry of

Jam estown eventually "rurned irs back" o n irs ri ver when ir was no lo nger neces­

sary fo r providing energy for turning machinery. frs waters beca m e polluted, irs

banks litte red with trash. Today, much of rhe C hadakoin River remains hi dd en

between and even beneath build ings along Jamestown's o ld industri al corridor.

Sectio ns are being revita lized as cit izens recognize the ri ver's benefits.

T he C hadakoin River originates at rhe C hautauqua Lake O urler. It Aows in to

Jamestown at McCrea Poi nr which, in former days, served as rhe Boar La nd ing

for several steamers that plied rhe lake. Just below rhe mun icipal power plant the

Warner Dam provides som e contro l over Aow rare and lake level . T he river w inds

through rhe ciry a nd through rhe neighboring Vil lage of Falconer, joini ng the

meandering Aow of Cassadaga C reek in an area known as Levanr. A shorr distance

downstream lies Jam estown's wastewater treatment plant where mi ll ions of gal­

lo ns of raw sewage arc processed each day inro water clean eno ugh to reru rn ro

rhe environment. Another sho rt distance downstream Cassadaga Creek joins

Conewango Creek, which , in turn , jo ins the Allegheny River in Warren ,

Pennsylvania .

Loetued within rhe region's urbnn cemer, Allen Pnrk is till open-nir classroom for the studem of loc111 geology tmd ecology. Photo by Mnrk 811/dwin.

What Wooded creek ravine with exposed shale outcrops

Where Residentia l neighborhood in Jamestown, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Jamestown

Why Geology, birding, plant studies

Allen Park City ojjamestown

A llen Park is a small bur scenic ciry park in JamestOwn. A wooded ravine

with a stream has cut through bedrock w reveal steep shale cliffs. Foot

trails follow the course of the stream and meander through wooded groves.

Natural History Interest T he strea m that courses along the bottom of the ravine is called Minnow

Creek. It has exposed shale walls in many places that are rich in Devonian

age foss ils, maki ng this a good place w tell the geological swry of this region.

Some of the park's mature trees are very large, including lorrhern Reel

Oaks with trunk diameters of three feet or more at breast height. Minnow

Creek is easy w get tO tO study crayfish and other organisms of the srream

com mun ity. The wooded groves and shrubby edges are habitat for numer­

ous birds, including winter res idents such as Black-capped Chickadees and

White-breasted Nuthatches, migrat ing warblers and vireos in sp ring and fall,

and summer breeding residents such as American Robins and Bl ue Jays.

Other Notes Facilities include barbecue grills and picnic tables in scenic woodland settings,

a picnic pavi lion, playgrounds for younger and older ch ildren, bathrooms,

bal l fields, an indoor icc skating rink, and a band shell for outdoor

summer co ncerts. Trai ls along the stream may be muddy and slippery in spots.

I 52 C I I A D A K 0 I N R I V E I( \'</AT 1·. R S I I E D

I-86 Allen Park

0.7 Miles

Carlson Rd

Som e steep places along the top of the ravine are

fenced to prevenr a fall in to rhe ravine, and cau­

tion should be observed around the shale our­

crops. Al len Park consisrs o f 35 acres owned by

the C ity of Jam estown and managed by its Parks

and Recreation Department. Fo r info rmation

contact the Parks Departmenr at 145 Steele Sr.,

Jamestown, NY 14701 ; Tel: 7 16-483-7523.

How To Get There Allen Park is just east of NY 60 (Foote Ave) in

rhe Ci ty of Jamestow n, NY.

From ex it 12 Uamestown) off 1-86, rake NY

60 south through Jamestown ro Cole Ave. Turn

left onto C ole Ave and continue toW Virginia

Blvd. T here is a small parking area along W

Virginia Blvd at rhe u pper end of the park nea r

rhe playgrou nd. The ravine runs from Hughes

St a t irs upper end ro rhe intersection of

Linwood Ave and C amp Sr at its lower end.

A L LE N P ARK 153

A wooded strerc!J of rhe hisroric Cht~tlrrkoin Rive1: ?!Joro by M11rk Bt~!dwin.

What Wooded park along Chadakoin River bank

Where Village of Falconer, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Jamestown

Why Birding, streambank ecology

Falconer Millrace County Park Chrzutrmqurz County Deprzrtmeut of Public Works, Parks D ivision

Falconer Millrace County Park is a seven-acre preserve along the

C hadako in River sa lvaged from a vacam area formerly owned by rhe

Fancher C hair Company. A pleasam, wooded uailloops through rl1e sire.

Natural History Interest This C hautauqua Counry Park is named fo r rhe old millrace rhat is still vis­

ible run ning through the woods ncar the C hadakoin River. It dates back to

the early days of industry in our region when forests were begin ning ro be

exploited ro supply the needs of a young nation. A sawmill was consuucted

at this site in 1807. T he mill race was built around 1 850 and was used to A oat

lumber from the mill to the C hadakoin and then down to growing cities

along the Allegheny, O hio, and Mississippi Rivers.

The park is smal l and has impenetrable-looking stands of Japa nese

Knotvveed and an abundance of Garlic Mustard, borh invasive weeds of

wooded areas. Too, li ke many low-lying wooded areas throughour ou r

region , Poison Ivy grows healthi ly along the ground and up rhe tru nks of

u ees. In sp ite of this, rhc park has much of interest. It features a stand of

Northern Riverine Forest that incl udes Silver Maple and American

Sycamore, both of wh ich reach substantial size close to the riverbank.

H ickory and American Basswood arc present as are Box Elder and Slippery

Elm. But what distinguishes this woodlot is the abundance of G reen Ash and

15-f C H A D A K OIN RI VER WATERSI I E D

Clay Pond WMA, .w

Falconer Millrace Park, t & Hartson Swamp WMA

0.8 Miles

Rd

"0 a: Q) u

~-..----------- ~ a:l

rhe nujcsnc s1zc of some of

rhem. Along rhc millrace itself

is a huge old Whirc Oak. The

mass1ve hollow tree, still

appearing hcalrhy otherwise, is

nearly I 2 feet in circum ference.

A visit in mid-sum mer is a u ear

fo r chi ldren of all ages ro sec rhe

great stands of borh of our

nanve jewelwcccls, Sported

l"o uch-me-nor and Pale Touch­

me-not. Be carefu l of rhe

Poison Ivy rhat may be lurking

nearby, bur indulge your sense

of wonder and surprise ar rhe

explosive popping of thei r seed

pods when you rouch rhem!

Other Notes

A picn ic area on a grassy knoll

greers rhe visi ror who enters rhe

park at the canoe launch area

behind the Fancher Chair

Company facrory. The park has

another well-maintai ned access

point connected by a trail rhar

includes a bridge and a couple

of benches along the river bank.

The park is open from 8:00

a.m. ro dusk.

How To Get T here Falconer Millrace Counry Park

is located just so uth of 1-86 in

Falconer, NY.

From exir 13 (Falconer) off l-

86, rurn right onro NY 394 and

proceed approximately 0.8 mi le

ro rhe traffi c lighr ar S Work Sr.

Go lefr onro S Work Sr then lefr

onto E Everett Sr. O n the cor­

ner of E Evcrcrr and S Work

srreers there is a big red build­

ing where the Fancher C hair

Company is located. Go right

offE Eve rett Sr into rhc parki ng

lor directly behi nd rhc Fancher

C hair Company bui lding. The

entrance to rhc Falconer

Mill race Park picnic and park­

ing area is ar rhc back left cor­

ner of rhis parking lor.

F ,ILC O NER M ILLR A C E Co u NTY I)ARK 155

Morm Brook bordered by a wooded grrJ//e 111 jCC Preserve. Photo by Ryan Butryn.

What Forest with trails, a pond, and a stream

Where Adjacent to the campus of J amestown Community College, Jamestown, Ch autauqua County, NY

USGS Quadrangle(s): Jamestown

Why Botanical and wildlife study

Jamestown Community College Preserve

Jamestown Community College Preserve is a scenic wooded area inter­

laced with walking parhs and bordered by Moon Brook, a rriburary of rhe

Chadakoin River. A man-made pond is also on the sire. Also known as

College Park or "The Hundred Acre Lor," the preserve has been a popular

picnic area for many years, as well as an ecological study area fo r JCC sru­

denrs.

Natural History Interest

T he wooded areas of the preserve consist of tree species rhar rypi~' the

Eastern deciduous fo rest, especially those rhat th rive in seasonally Aooded,

swampy areas. T here arc many large American Beech, Black Cherry, Yellow

Birch, and Eastern Hemlock rrees on rhe property. Spring wildAowcrs com­

mon in the rich woods include Spring Beaury, Red Trillium, Yellow Trout

Lily, Gold rhread , Canada MayAower, and Star Flower.

Much of rhe property is wer with a small stream, a man-made pond, and

swampy forested areas. These provide good habirar for a nu mber of amphib­

ians. A list of rhose rhar may be found here incl udes Spring Peeper, Wood

Frog, American Toad, Northern Leopard Frog, Bull frog, Spotted

Salamander, Redback Salamander, Northern Two-lined Salamander, and

No rthern Spring Salamander.

156 C II A D A K 0 I N R I V E R W AT E R S II E D

Rd

u 0::: c 0 Vl ...., ro 2:

Palm Rd

Rd

Q :L

Roger Tory Peterson N

Institute and t JCC Preserve

0.6 0 0.6 Miles

~

Hough Hill Rd

j AMESTOWN CoMMUN IT Y CoL L EGE PRESERVE 157

A 111ide prub mrs rbmugb rht•Joresr fit }CC Pmeme. Pboro by R)•m1 Burryn.

Moon Brook is a small tributary of rhe Chadakoin

River rhar Aows through the property. Trs riffles arc

home to crayfish, mayAy and caddisAy nymphs, and

other aq uatic species of invertebrates. T he area

around the stream is frequented by a variety of

wi ldlife including Wi ld Turkey, Spotted Sandpiper,

Belted Kingfisher, Yellow Warbler, Common

Ycl lowthroar, Mink, Red Fox, Raccoon, Muskrat,

and deer.

Other Notes "The Hundred Acre Lor" was purchased by rhe Ciry

of Jamestown in 19 1G, largely wirh money raised by

rhc schoo l children of Jamestown. lr was owned by

the Ciry until 1958, when ir was deeded to

Jamestown Community College. The College has

contin ued to operate rhe property as a public park

and uses ir as a field study sire for irs biology srudenrs.

158 C II A I) A I< 0 I N R I V l c It W AT E It S I I E D

There is a picnic pavilion, ball field , a small play­

ground, parking area, a footbridge across Moon

Brook, and an amphitheater fo r outdoor classroom

use.

How To Get There The Jamestown Communi ty College Preserve is

located along Curtis Street, in the northeast corn er

of the C ity of Jamestown. It is jusr norrh of the ath­

letic fields on the JCC campus.

From exit 12 (J amestown) off I-8G, rake NY GO

north (away from Jamestown). Proceed on NY GO

under a mile to rhe first right (Horton Rd). Turn

right onto Horton Rei and proceed to the first right

(Curris Sr Ext). Turn right onto Curtis Sr Ext and

proceed to rhe preserve. The driveway and parking

area are located just before rhe small bridge over

Moon Brook, on rhc lcfr side of Curtis Street.

Some oft he finest specimen trees in the region inhabit rhe urbnn forest til Litke View Cemetel} Photo by J\lrtrk Bnltlwin.

What Large, wooded, park-like cemetery

Where Along Route 60, the northe rn entrance to the City of Jamestown, Chautauqua County, NY.

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Jamestown

Why Extraordinary specimen trees of many species

Lake View Cemetery Lalze View Cemetery Associatiou

Lake View Cemetery consists of 83 acres of slopi ng, park- li ke grounds on

the north side of the C ity of Jamestown, includ ing 68 acres inside a

gated , fen ced area. Well-maintained curving drives lace the cemetery, mak­

ing it easy ro get around at any rime of yea r. C hautauqua Lake is pla inly vis­

ible fro m the cemetery's slopes, wh ich arc a few mi les from and 150 feet

above the lake.

Natural History Interest

The sire fo r Lake View Cemetery was chosen, as is the case fo r most of our

region's cemeteries, because irs soils are deep, well-drained and easy to dig.

T he sand and gravel below ground here were deposited across an outwash

pla in as meltwater Rowed off of the pausing or receding glacier some 15,000

years ago.

Today rhc cemetery is a rich source of m:u crial for natural histo ry swdy.

Most impressive arc the large, very o ld trees char grow over much of rhe prop­

erty. Across Buffalo rrcer from the cemetery is the "Jamesrown Oak," a

W hite Oak wirh a massive, butt ressed trunk and enormous branches. It is said

ro have been growing when Jamesrown was founded in rhe early 19th centu­

ry. T here arc huge W hite Oaks and orrhern Red Oaks in the cemetery as

159

Lake View Cemetery

:>.

t the ground of ccrtam secnons 111

spnng.

Birds are abu ndan t. esters 0.6

Moon

Palm Rd

well, most of them in a grove near the southeast corner of

the properry. Many spectacular specimens of trees are scat­

tered throughout. Sugar Maple, Shagbark Hickory,

Horsechesrnut, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern \'V'hi te Pine,

and Red Pine are among the native species that are here to

study and enjoy. In add ition, the cemetery has a large

num ber of non-native and exotic specimens, such as

Norway Spruce, Ginkgo, and Sweetgum. Shrubs of many

kinds provide an understory and cover for wildlife. T he

displays of cultivated rhododendrons in late May are spec­

tacular, and 1n early July the wild Rose-bay

Rh ododend rons open their less-s howy bur beautiful white

blosso ms.

Mosses and mushrooms arc key ground-level inhabi­

tanrs, and dri fts of Spring Beauties and native violets cover

160 C II A D i\ K 0 I N R I V E R \Y/ i\ T E It S I I E D

0 incl ude Ameri can Robi n, Blue Jay,

Black-capped Chickadee, Northern

Flicker, Eastern Screech Owl, and

Wood Duck. A long list of sigh rings

includes Red-ra iled Hawk, Cooper's

Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker,

Yellow-bell icd Sapsucker, Tree

Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, Easrern

Ki ngb ird, Warbling Vireo, Cape May

Warbler, Ovenbi rd, Bay-breasted

Warbler, Norrhern Paru la, Tennessee

Warbler, No rthern Mockingbird, and

Chi pping Sparrow.

Eastern Chi pmunks, Red Squi rrels,

and Eastern Fox Squirrels seem ro be

everywhere, and adults with young are

fun ro warch in spring.

Other Notes Establ ished in 1858, La ke Vi ew

Cemetery is an hisroric "outdoor

museum," an excellent resource for

learning abour rhc human as well as

rhe natu ral hisrory of our region.

James Prendergast, JamestOwn's

founder, is inrerred here along wirh

hund reds of orher notable citizens of

rhe reg1on. Sections arc dcvored ro rhe memory of

America's war dead dari ng back ro rhc Revolutionary War.

o dogs are allowed in rhc cemetery. T he area is fenced

and gated, and rhe hours are posred at entrances.

How To Get There Lake View Cemetery IS located jusr off NY GO in

Jamestown, NY.

From I-86 exir 12 (Jamestown), t:1ke NY GO south less

than hal f a mile and rurn left onto Marvin Pky. T his road

is jusr pasr the Bob Eva ns Rcsrauranr. Emranccs ro rhc

cemetery are located along rhis road. For orhcr entrances,

continue along Marvin Pky to Lakeview Ave. En trances

arc located along this sn·ccr and Buffa lo Srrcer (righr ar rhc

traffic light) as wel l.

The po11d at RTP! hosts n rich mmmw1iry ofli11i11g thi11gs. Photo by Stelle l'aulso11.

What Woods, pond, fi elds

Where City of Jamestown, Chautauqua County, NY

USGS Ouadrangle(s): Jamestown

Why Natural history exhibits and other program s

Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

T he Roger Tory Peterson lnsrirute is s itu:~ ted on 27 acres o f' woods, fi elds,

and wetbnds on the northern edge of' the C iry of'Jamesrown. The head­

quarrcrs' grounds are b ced wirh walki ng rrai ls rhar are open to rhe public

during d:~ylighr hours.

Natural H istory Interest

T he p roperry is mostly wooded with relat ively young trees rhar g rew up du r­

ing rhe decades fo llowing irs use as cow pasrure. A few large rrees remain,

including some Eastern Hemlock, American Beech, and Black Cherry.

There :~ re :~ lso some fin e specimens of C ucumber Magnoli:~, Solll·gum and

Amcri c:~n Basswood. N:~ri ve trees and shrubs such as American Hornbeam,

Red -os ier Dogwood, Norrhcrn Arrowwood , Serviceberry, and Witch H azel

fo rm th e understo ry :~ l ong wirh th e invasive introduced honeysuckles.

The fo rest Aoor tends ro be acidic, which f.·lVors ferns and heaths. Ferns

arc quire abundant and include such species :~s C hristmas Fern, H ayscenred

Fern , Sensi tive Fern, C innamon Fern, and cw York Fern. Plants in the

heath f.1rnily create loose carpets of low or creeping shrubs and incl ude

W inrcrgreen and Lowbush Blueberry, even Traili ng Arbutus in a co uple of

spors. Wood lands, wet arc:~s, :~ nd meadows :~ re good places ro view wild­

Rowers including Blue Fbg, May-apple, Can:~da MayAower, Srar Flower,

Rd

"0 0:: c

Moon Rd 0 Vl ....., ro ~

Pa lm Rd

162 C JI ADAKO J N RI V E R \VI • .. , wA J ER S I IE D

Rd Hough Hill Rd

I-86 JCC Preservc l

RTPI n c

Roger Tory Peterson :N

0.6

Institute and t JCC Preserve

3: Q)

:::l ()

:::r ro Vl o"T ro ..., ;o 0..

0 0.6 Miles

and Sponed Touch-me-nor.

A man-made pond on the properry is a rich resource for

invertebrate studies. Aquatic insects thar have been

observed here incl ude giant water bug, backswimmer,

warer boatman, water measurer, and a variety of damselAy

and d ragonAy nymphs.

The property is crossed by breeding Snapping Turtles

each sp ring. Other reptiles rhar have been observed

incl ude Smooth G reen Snake, Brown Snake, Common

Garter Snake, and Rcdbelly Snake. Among rhc amphi b­

ians rhar may be found here are orrhcrn Leopard Frog,

Bullfrog, Wood f-rog, Spri ng Peeper, Redback

Salamander, Eastern cwt, and Sporred Salamander.

A sampling of bird sighrings includes Green Heron,

Sandhill Crane, Grear Horned Owl, Broad-winged

Ha'<vk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp­

shinned Hawk, American Woodcock, Wild Turkey,

Ruffed Grouse, Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swal low, Eastern

Bluebird, Pilearcd Woodpecker, Veery, Wood Thrush,

RTf'/ is 11 nmional cemer for rmcba cdumrion wbicb tdso houses Roger "tiny Pe1erson's lifo1ime body ofruork. Pbo10 ~)' S!et' f Paulson.

Tufted Titmouse, Common Redpoll , Purple Finch,

Eastern Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Brown Th rasher, Hooded

Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Co mmon Yel lowrhroar, Indigo

Bu nri ng, and Scarier Tanager.

Mammals rhar have been sighted include Eastern

Chipmunk, Red Squi rrel, Eastern G ray Squirrel , Eastern

Fox quirrel, \XIoodchuck, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Raccoon,

Whi te-railed Deer, Muskrat, and Eastern Cottontail.

Other Notes

The Roger Tory Peterson lnsrirurc is ded icated to creating

passion for and knowledge of rhe natural world in rhe

hearts and minds of children by inspiring and guiding rhe

srudy of nature in schools and com muniries. This mission

is advanced through programs rhar help reachers incor­

porate narure srudy into their curriculum, and also by pre­

senting nature photography, wildlife arr, and other

exhibits on natu ral history themes. T he Insti tute has a

library and reacher resource cenrer, and serves as rhe

archive for rhe li fetime body of work of Roger Tory

Pcrcr on. T he lnsrirure's bu ildi ng is open to rhe public

Tuesday th rough Saturday, I 0 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday

I to 5 p. m. There is a general ad mission fcc, which may

vary fo r special exh ibi tions and events. Members arc free

or receive a reduced rare. T he grounds, incl uding trails

and rhe pond-side gazebo, arc open to rhe public duri ng

daylight hou rs. For information contact RTP I, 3 11 Curtis

Sr. , Jamestown, TY 1470 I; Tel: 800-758-684 I; E-mail:

ma il@rtpi .org; Web sire: www. rrpi.org.

How to Get There

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute is located in

Jamestown, NY, across from the campus of Ja mestown

Co mmun iry College on Curtis Srreer.

From ex it 12 Oamcsrown) off of I-86, rake NY 60

north (away from Jamestown). Proceed on NY 60 under

a mile ro rhe first right (Horto n Rd). Turn right onto

Horton Rd and proceed ro rhc first right (Curtis Sr Exr).

Tu rn right onto Curris Sr Exr and proceed to rhc Institute.

lr is on rhe right, just past rhc Ciry of Jamestown sign.

Ro c E R ToR v P E T E Jt s o N I Ns T 1 T u T E 163

Minister Vflllf)\ Alleglu'n)' Nfltionfll Forest. Photo by Drn,id Hecei. Trails and Waterways of the

Chautauqua-Allegheny Region

M any of th<.: places descri bed in this book would be practically our of reach

if nor for rh <.: ir n·ails. In f.1cr, one of rhe pleasures of visiting narural areas

is rhe inviting f<.:cl of well mai nrained rrails rhar rake you ro places of in reresr.

\'V'irhin individual nature preserves are loops and hundreds of miles of n·ails and

waterways rhar co nnect them. In this section, you catch a glimpse of what rhe

region offers for people who would like ro walk, peddle, or paddle as they

explore nature.

Remember, safety first! Carry water wirh you and dress appropriately fo r the

weather. Take a map and compass, and avoid traveling alone. If you do, let oth­

ers know where you are going and when you expect ro return. When you pack

things in ro the sires, pack them our. Leave no trace. Be considerate of all living

things everywhere you go.

North Country National Scenic Trail T his is by far rhe longest trail in rhe region. In fact, once completed, it wi ll be

the longest continuous foorparh in rhe Un ited Stares, stretching 3,200 mi les

from Crown Point, Y to Sakakawea, D. Approx imately 86 miles ofir runs

through the Allegheny ational Forest, the hisroric lands of the Iroquois, the

225

J\linisrer Vniii!JI ~1/egbl'lly Nnrionnl Forest. Pboro by David Hecei.

226

Allegheny Plareau and some of rhe world 's fin est stands of Black Cherry and oak.

Connecting rhe Baker Trail in Pennsylvania and rhe Finger Lakes Trail in New York's

Allegany Srare Park, rh is section of rhe North Country Trail offers numerous opportuni­

ties for shorr walks, day hi kes and backpacking experiences.

The trail connecrs Hearts Content and Tionesta Scenic Areas, bur it's a 22 mile hike one

way. An easy access to the rrail is rhe Willow Bay Recreation Area on rhe Allegheny

Reservoir. Willow Bay has parking for eight ca rs and is just west of where the tra il crosses

PA 346. For information conracr the Allegheny National Forest, 222 Liberty Sr. , Warren PA

16365. Telephone 8 14-723- 5150 or e-mail anf@penn.com. You may also get maps and

information on the web ar www.allegheny-online.com/mapnorrhcounrry. html or

\V\V\v.gorp.com/gorp/ resource/us_rrail!pa_norrh.hrm

Chautauqua County Eastside and Westside Overland Trails These rwo coun ry trai ls are on a general north/sourh axis on rhe wesr and easr side of

Chautauqua Lake. Each runs through substantial tracts of srare forestland interspersed wirh

private properry. Some road walking ro skirr pri vate properry is necessary. The rrails offer

excellent hi ki ng opporruniries in rhe spring, summer, and fall, and cross country skiing

during rhe snow monrhs. Maps for borh trails are available from rhe Counry Parks

Department and fro m several outdoor and loca l stores.

T he Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail The Easrside Trail 's northern end begins in rhe Canadaway Creek Srare Wildlife

Management Area and heads sourh for 19 miles rhrough rhe Bourwell Hill Srare Foresr and

rhe Harris Hill rare Foresr.

You can access rhe northern end of rhe trail by raking Cry 72 west off of NY

60 in Cassadaga. Cry 72 rakes you to the Canadaway Area where rhe rrail cross­

es rhe road and a small parking area is located. On rhe southern end, take Cry

50 out of Gerry and turn onto 28 Creek Rd where you will find the trail in the

Harris Hill Stare Forest.

The Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail The Trail's northern end is in the Chautauqua Gorge State Forest at the end of

Hannum Rd. Ir rhen heads south for 24 miles through the Mr. Pleasant,

Whalen Memorial, North Harmony, Panama, and Brokenstraw Stare Forests

with some private land in between.

You can access the rrail at rhe south end by taking NY 474 west out of

Panama, NY 2.4 miles to Townline Rd. Turn south on Townline for another

2.4 miles to Brownell Rd, which intersects on rhe right. Continue on Townline

for another 0.5 mile ro a bridge over Brokensrraw Creek; rhen another 0.1 mile

to a dirt road on rhe left (east); turn onto this for 0.1 mile ro rhe trailhead.

Chautauqua Rails to Trails Chautauqua County has a vibrant and growing rails to trails program. In fact,

the long-term vision is to tie in existing trails and planned ones with the West

and Eastside Overland trails to create a seamless trail circling Chautauqua Lake.

Please remember that these trails do pass through lands on old railroad right­

of-ways. Sray on rhe rrails and respect adjacent landowners' rights. Carry in

and carry our. Leave no trash.

These trails provide public access through scenic woodlands, wetlands, and

meadows offering opportunities to observe wildlife, trees and plants. They are

excellent outdoor classrooms.

There are seven trails in rhe system, some in rhe early stages of development.

The two oldest and longest trails, the Ralph C. Sheldon Jr. Nature Trail

and Alison Wells Ney Trail, are noted below. You can find Chautauqua

Rails to Trails information and brochures ar their office on NY 394 in

Mayville ar rhe old train depot on Chautauqua Lake or on their website

www.cecomm.com/railstorrails. Call 716-269-3666 or 800-242-4569 for

information.

Ralph C. Sheldon Jr. Nature Trail This 5.5 mile rrail runs from Titus Rd. approximately 2 miles from the center

of Sherman, NY northward to Summerdale Road. Parking is available on Titus

Rd. From rhe center of Sherman rake NY 430 north approx. 2 miles to Titus

Rd, turn left for r/4 mile where the trail starts on rhe right. This trail offers fine

beaver ponds and wetlands on both sides of the trail. Ir has been nominated

for designation as an Audubon Important Bird Area wirh over 175 species

observed on the trail.

TRAILS AND WATERWAYS 227

Mi11ister Valle)\ AllegiJen;' Nario11al f-orest. PIJOto by David Hecei.

Alison Wells Ney Trail This 5-m ile trail begins at Thayer Rd. , south of Brocton ,

NY in northern Chautauqua County and runs south to

Prospect Rd. The trail gently climbs the Lake Erie

Escarpment offering views of Lake Erie. There is parking

available on Thayer Rd and ar Prospect Station.

To enter the trail at Prospect Station, rake the Plank Rd

(Cry 308) our of Westfield, NY headi ng southeast. Take

the 2nd left on Felton Rd then the first right on Fish Rd

which turns inro Barnes Rd. At the bottom of a hill yo u

will sec the Ney Trail parking area close to Prospect

Station Rd.

Cattaraugus Rails to Trails Rails to Trai ls is also raki ng hold in Catta raugus County,

NY where a 12.4 mile trail should be complete in late

2002 or early 2003. A rrailhead is currently being built in

228

Little Valley, NY. For more information , contact rhe

Cattaraugus Local Development Corp., 7 16-257-3237.

Allegany State Park Although the park is one of the locations highlighted in

this Atlas, we mention ir here again , as it is a hikers par­

adise. T he park co ntains 135 miles of marked trails com­

plimented by almost twice as many miles of unmarked

roures. There arc 18 specially designated and marked

walking trails covering approximately 53 miles of some of

rhe finest terr itory in rhe region. In addition, there are 27

miles of cross-country skiing trails and 55 miles of trails

char are also open ro horses and snowmobiles. You can

enter rhe park ar ei rher rhc Quaker Area or the Red House

Area. Both are off l-86 in Cattaraugus County between

Randolph and Salamanca, NY.

Allegheny National Forest Covering over 800 square miles tn fou r northwestern

Pennsylvania counties, rhe Forest lies on rhe Allegheny

Plateau and abu ts Allega ny Srare Park in New York Srare.

Over 209 miles of hiking trails (including rhe North

Country Trail ) exist in rhe Forest. A number of other

tra ils are multiple usc and some are designated all-terrain

vehicle trails. There are also 14 miles of interpretive trails

primarily near the scenic and historical areas.

You can req uest in forma tion through rhe Forest

Headquarters in Warren, PA 8 14-723-5150 or rhc

Ranger Stations 1n Bradford and Marienvi lle.

Information is also avai lable ar stores and tourist locations

th roughout rhe area.

Allegheny River Valley Trail This is a 5.6-milc mulri-usc recreational rrail (no motor­

ized vehicles) that follows the Allegheny River for approx­

imately 3 miles. The trail passes through the Town of

Allegany, rhe Ciry of O lean, and Sr. Bonaventure

University on a paved, well-maintained surface. You' ll

enjoy birding, wildAowcrs, rhe river and passing by a rail­

road yard . For more information e-mail: tourism@olean­

ny.com.

To reach rhc trai l, exit l-86 ar exit 24 (St. Bonaventure).

Go left after exiting and proceed to the fi rst traffic light.

Turn right at the light and continue straight unti l you

Minister \!aile)\ Alleghell)' Nmional Forest. PIJOtv by David Hecei.

reach the railroad t racks. Immediately after the tracks, turn left and watch for

the Sr. Bonaventure sign. Parking is near the University t rack. Addi t ional park­

ing is ava ilable at Gargoyle Park and at the co rner o f H enley and 19 th Streets

in Olean.

Water Trails By foot is not the only way to enjoy the soli tude of the region's natural areas.

Water is p lentifu l throughour the region with m any opportunities to explore

by canoe or kayak. In Allegany Srare Park there are two lakes and a nu mber of

streams. Th ree rivers with in the Allegheny National Forest, the Allegheny,

C larion and T io nesta, offer excellent tripping on over 110 miles of wate r.

Lake E rie and nu merous o ther lakes and st reams offer many add itio nal

opportu nities to travel by water. An excellent example is the M arden E. Cobb

Waterway Trail designated by the C hau tauqua Coun ty Parks D epartment. The

waterway is actually rwo roures on the C assadaga and the C o newango C reeks,

bo th of which are rriburaries o f rhe Allegheny Rive r. T hey are rich in h istory

as early settlers and native Am ericans used these creeks to travel through rhe

area . T his is a Aat-warer paddle. C hautauqua C ou nty provides and maintains

several access areas and lean-to shelters. Co unry-mai nrained access points o n

the 28 mile Cassadaga waterway can be found near South Stockton , Red Bird ,

G erry, Ross M ills and Levant. On the 25-m ile C onewango waterway, main­

ta ined access po ints are on C ry 42 near C larks Corners and near Frewsb urg on

us 62.

T R A I L S A N 0 \'(/ AT E R \'il A Y S 229

Appendices

Regional Environmental Education Organizations

The following is a list of organizations and agencies that can assist you to become better acquainted with

the natural history of our region. Some of them, where noted, are responsible for the stewardship of places

described in this book. All of them have conservation or nature education as part of their mission. Contact

them to find out how they can help you learn more, and how you can participate in making our natural

world even better.

Alleghenies Watershed Nerwork 64 South 14th Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Tel: 412-481-9400 Fax: 412-481-940 1 Web: www.alleghenywatershed.org

Education about the Allegheny watershed and networking among watershed projects in western Pennsylvania; its Allegheny Watershed Atlas Internee Site is found at www. wacershedatlas.org.

Allegheny Institute of Natural History University of Pittsburgh-Bradford 300 Campus Drive/Fisher Hall 203 C Bradford, PA 16701 Tel: 814-362-7562 Fax: 814-362-5088 E-mail: ainh+@pitc.edu Web: www.upb.pitt.edu/ainh

Ongoing study of flora and fauna of Allegheny Mountains and Appalachian Plateau; and classes on natural history for various audiences.

Allegheny National Forest 222 Liberty Street Warren, PA 16365 Tel: 814-723-5150 E-mail: anf/ r9 _allegheny@fs.fed. us Web: www.fs.fed.us/r9/allegheny

Jake's Rocks and Rimrock Overlooks, Buckaloon's Recreation Area, Allegheny Islands Wilderness, Hearts Content and Tionesta Scenic Areas, as well as recreational and learning opportunities throughout the National Forese.

Buffalo Audubon Society 161 0 Welch Road North Java, NY 14113 Tel: 716-457-3228 Fax: 716-457-1378 E-mail: buffaloaudubon@buffaloaudubon.org Web: www.buffaloaudubon.org

Allenberg Bog, Rushing Stream Preserves; conservation and environmental education programs offered at its Beaver Meadow Audubon Center, plus field trips and community education programs throughout western New York.

Career and Technical Education Center at Ellicottville 5550 Route 242 East Ellicottville, NY 14731-0690 Tel: 716-699-2382 Fax: 716-699-2095

Deerfield Nature Center, an outdoor learning laboratory for 11th and 12th grade students from local school districts.

Cattaraugus Local Development Corporation P.O. Box 1 Cattaraugus, NY 14719 Tel: 716-257-3237 E-mail: cldc@nycountry.com

James A. Zaepfel Nature Sanctuary and developments regard­ing rails to trails in Cattaraugus County.

Cattaraugus County Bird Club Timothy Baird, President 242 East State Street Salamanca, NY 14779 Tel: 716-945-2539

Regular meetings and activities for birders in the Cattaraugus County area.

Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District David}. Wilson, District Field Manager

Frank W. Bratt Agricultural Center 3542 Turner Road Jamestown, NY 14701 Tel: 716-769-7917 E-mail: chaut-co@soilwacer.org

Local SWCD programs of soil, water, and related natural resource conservation for residents, landowners, teachers, and others. Programs include water quality mangemem, scream stabilization, seedling sales, pond services, and conservation education.

Chautauqua Rails to Trails jim Fincher, Trail Manager P.O. Box 151 Mayville, NY 14757-0151 Tel: 716-269-3666 E-mail: cm@cecomet.net Web: www.cecomm.com/railscocrails

Sheldon, Ney, and other trails, and efforts co preserve aban­doned rail corridors for conversion to safe off-road trails for recreational use and environmental study.

233

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy John Jablonski, Executive Director 413 North Main Street Jamestown, NY 14701 Tel: 716-664-2166 Fax: 716-483-3524 E-mail: chautwsh@netsync.net Web: www.chautauquawatershed.org

Cassadaga Creek, Chautauqua Lake Outlet, Dobbins Woods, Elm Flats, and Prendergast Creek Preserves, and efforts co preserve and enhance the water quality, scenic beauty and ecological health of the lakes, streams and watersheds of the Chautauqua region.

Conewango Creek Watershed Association Contact: Matt Burlingame, Water Specialist Warren County Conservation District 609 Rouse Avenue, Suite 203 Youngsville, PA 16371 Tel: 8 I 4-563-3117 E-mail: wccd@pennswoods.net Web: www.pennswoods.net/ ~weed

Research and outreach initiatives to promote understanding and stew­ardship of the Conewango Creek watershed.

Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chautauqua County ~yne R. Grossman, Association Director Frank W. Bratt Agricultural Center 3542 Turner Road Jamestown, NY 1470I-9608 Tel: 716-664-9502 Fax: 716-664-6327 E-mail: wrg3@cornell.edu

Conservation programs and services.

The Findley Lake Nature Center Contact: Daniel Christman 1~0. Box 634 Findley Lake, NY 14736 Tel: 716-769-79I 7 E-mail: dmc41 @juno.com

The center's developing facility at the Mina-Findley Lake Community Center, 2883 North Road, Findley Lake, NY.

French Creek Project Box I72 Allegheny College Meadville, PA 16335 Tel: 814-332-2946 Fax: 814-333-8149 E-mail: frenchcrik@aol.com Web: frenchcreek.allegheny.edu

Projects to preserve habitat, maintain biological diversity, and protect threatened and endangered species of French Creek; and public educa­tion and outreach about the value of the creek.

234

Hamburg Natural History Society P.O. Box 772 Hamburg, NY 14075 Tel: 716-627-4560 Web: penndixie.org

Efforts to promote the study of the sciences with an emphasis on the development of a regional fossil collecting site to encourage public appreciation and understanding of local paleontology. Current public programs focus on fossils and astronomy at the Penn Dixie Site Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg, NY.

Jamestown Audubon Society Ruth Lundin, President jennifer Schlick, Program Director of Education I 600 Riverside Road Jamestown, NY 1470 I Tel: 716-569-2345 Fax: 7I6-569-2765 E-mail: jaudubon@netsync.net Web: www.jasny.org

Jamestown Audubon Nature Center and Bentley Sanctuary, and envi­ronmental education for people of all ages. Jamestown Audubon offers programs on nature education and environmental stewardship to schools and regularly scheduled activities for the public throughout the year.

Lake Erie Bird Club Contact Dick Miga 38 Elm Street Fredonia, NY 14063- I 937 Tel: 716-672-7363 E-mail: dmiga@netsync.net

Activities and education to area residents interested in the study and enjoyment of birds; Birding Hotline available at 716-595-8250, to report sightings and to hear a daily report.

Martz Astronomical Association 120 East Third Street Jamestown, NY 1470 I Tel: 716-483-0343 Web: http://members.aol.com/bemusabord

Meetings of astronomy enthusiasts and public programs that focus on astronomy at the Martz Observatory in Frewsburg and elsewhere.

Nature Sanctuary Society ofWestern New York Buffalo Museum of Science I 020 Humboldt Parkway Buffalo, NY 1421 I-1293

Society-owned nature preserves and natural history field trip opportunities.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 215 South Work Street Falconer, NY 14733 Tel: 716-665-6111 Fax: 716-665-6124 Web: www.dec.state.ny.us

New York State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Grace Christy. Park Nawralist Allegany State Park 2373 ASP Route 1 Salamanca, NY 14779-9756 Tel: 716-354-9101

Allegany, Long Point and Lake Erie State Parks; Allegany State Park Historical Society; programs and activities for the public and school groups about park natural history.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Complanter District Office 323 North State Street North Warren, PA 16365 Tel: 814-723-0262 E-mail: fd 14@state.pa.us

Anders Run Natural Area, Chapman, Cook Forese and Oil Creek Stare Parks, and other sires and programs for nature and conserva­tion education in the district.

Pennsylvania Game Commission P.O. Box 31 Franklin, PA 16323 Tel: 814-432-3187

Akeley Swamp, Tamarack Swamp and ocher Pennsylvania Scare Game Lands. Land managers occasionally conduct public tours of sites.

Pfeiffer Nature Center Richard H. White, Executive Director Box 802 Lillibridge Road Portville, NY 14770 Tel: 716-373-1742 E-mail: pnc@netsync.ner Web: www. pfeiffernarurecenter.org

Pfeiffer Nature Center's old-growth forest tract, scientific research projects, nature study programs for school students and adults, and natural resource stewardship.

Ripley Hawk Watch Comact Dick Miga 38 Elm Street Fredonia, NY 14063-1937 Tel: 716-672-7363 E-mail: dmiga@nersync.net

Participating in an annual program to observe, count, and identify the thousands of raptors that fly along the south shore of Lake Erie during their spring migration. Observation stations located at 6 sites in the Ripley, NY area, from the Lake Erie shore to 2 miles inland.

The Rock Environmental Center P.O. Box 41 Gooseneck Road Delevan, NY 14042 Tel: 716-699-2481

Environmental education programs for the public and school groups, and regularly scheduled nature education events.

Roger Tory Peterson Institute 31 1 Curtis St. Jamestown, NY 14701 Tel: 716-665-2473 Toll free: 800-758-6841 E-mail: rtpi@rtpi.org Web: www.rtpi.org

The life of Roger Tory Peterson; nature education exhibits and pro­grams for the public, reachers, and school groups; regular meetings of RTPI's Ornithological Club; and a developing Entomological Club.

SUNY College at Fredonia faculty Swdent Association Betty Berkshire 1~0. Box 286 Fredonia, NY 14063 Tel: 716-673-3417 Web: www.fredonia.edu/fsa

The College Lodge and irs opportunities for environmental education activities for the public and school groups.

The Nature Conservancy CentraUWestem Nezv York Chapter 339 East Avenue, Suite 300 Rochester, NY 14604-2615 Tel: 716-546-8030 Fax: 716-546-7825 Web: www.nature.org/states/newyork/centralwest/

French Creek Preserve; and efforts to protect environmentally sensi­tive lands in Western and Central New York.

Warren County Conservation District 609 Rouse Avenue, Suite 203 Youngsville, PA 16371 Tel: 814-563-3117 E-mail: wccd@pennswoods.ner Web: www.pennswoods.ner/-wccd

Hatch Run Conservation Demonstration Area and programs to pro­mote conservation in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Western New York Land Conservancy 21 South Grove St., Suite 120 East Aurora, NY 14052 Tel: 716-687-1225 Fax: 716-687-1837 E-mail: wnylc@wnylc.org Web: www.wnylc.org

Hillside Acres Preserve and land protection and conservation activities in western New York.

235

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy 209 Fourth Avenue Pirrsburgh, PA 15222-2075 Tel: 412-288-2777 Fax: 412-281-1792 Web: www.paconserve.org

H.J. Crawford Reserve, Lowville Wetland, and Wattsburg Fens; activi­ties to conserve the region's places of exceptional ecological, recre­ational, and scenic value and to connect people with the natural world through experience, education, and responsible stewardship.

References

Crossley, Gary J. A Guide to Critical Bird Habitat in Pennsyft,ania. Mechanicsburg, PA: Signal Graphics Printing, 1999.

Ehling, William P. 50 Hikes in Western New York. Woodstock, VT: Backcountry Publications, 1990.

Kershner, Bruce. Secret Places. Dubuque: Kendall/ Hunt, 1994.

Knight, F. New York Wildlife Viewing Guide. Helena, MT: Falcon Publishing, Inc., 1998.

Kricher, J. and Morrison, G. Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Forests. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988, 1998.

McWilliams, Gerald M. and Daniel W. Browning. The Birds ofPennsylt,ania. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2000.

Miga, D. Birding in Chautauqua County NY.

Peterson, Roger Tory. A Field Guide to the Birds. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980.

Peterson, Roger Tory and Margaret McKenny. A Field Guide to Wildflowers. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1968.

Reed, J. Where to Find Birds in Cattaraugus Count;~ New York. Hinsdale, NY: Burdesalott Publishing, 2000.

U.S. Department of Agriculcure, Soil Conservation Service, and Cornell University Agriculcural Experiment Station. Soil Survey of Chautauqua Counry. New York. National Cooperative Soil Survey, 1994.

Van Diver, B. Roadside Geology of New York. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1985.

Van Diver, B. Roadside Geology ofPeunsylvania. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1990.

Wells, J. Important Bird Areas in New York State. New York: National Audubon Society, 1998.

Werner, Robert G. Freshwater Fishes of New York State. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1980.

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Species List

Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnomm) American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) American Basswood ( Tilia americana) American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) American Binern (Botattrtts lemiginosus) American Chestnut (Castanea dentate) American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) American Elm (Ulmm americantl) American Goldfinch ( Carduelis tristis) American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) American Robin ( Turdus migratorius) American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) American Toad (Bufo americanus) American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) American Wigeon (Anas americana) American Woodcock (Philohela minor) Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) Arethusa (Arethus bulbosa) Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myriarclms cinerascens) Autumn Willow (Salix serissema) Baird's Sandpiper ( Calidris bairdir} Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) Banded Darter (Etheostoma zona/e) Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Barn Swallow (Hirrmdo rmtica) Barred Owl (Strix varia) Barren Strawberry ( Waldsteinia fragarioides) Basket Willow (Salix purpurea) Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroictr castanea) Beaver (Castor canadensis) Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) Black Bear ( Ursus americanus) Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) Black Huckleberry ( Gaylrmacia baccata) Black Redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnet} Black Spruce (Picea mariana) Black Tern ( Chlidonias niger) Black Willow (Salix nigra) Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) Black-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus erythropthalmus) Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fosca) Black-capped Chickadee (Parm atricapillus) Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Black-headed Gull (Lams ridibundus) Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) Black-throared Blue Warbler (Dendroica caendescem) Black-rhroated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) Bladderwort ( Utricularia geminiscapa) Blue Beech (see American Hornbeam) Blue Cohosh ( Caulophyllum t/}(dictroides) Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) Blue Jay ( Cyanocitta cristtlta)

Bluebreasr Darter (Etheostoma camurum) Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) Blue-gray Gnarcarcher (Polioptila caentlea) Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Blue-winged Warbler ( Vermivora pinus) Bog Rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla) Bonaparre's Gull (Lams philadelphia) Boneser (Eupatorium perfoliatllm) Boreal Chickadee (Pants lmdsonicus) Borrlebrush Sedge ( Carex lurida) Box Elder (Acer negtmdo) Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) Bram (Brama bernie/a) Broad-leaved Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) Brook Trout (Salve/in us fontinalis) Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Brown Creeper ( Certhia fomiliaris) Brown Thrasher ( Toxostoma rufitm) Brown Trout (Sal~rzo tmtta) Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) Buffiehead (Bucephala albeola) Bugle (Ajuga reptam) Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Bullhead-lily (Nuphar variegatttm) Burning Bush (EuonymttS atropurpureus) Butternut (fuglans cinerea) Bunonbush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis) Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) Canada Warbler ( Wilsonia canadensis) Canadian Burner (Sanguisorba canadensis) Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Carex crinita Carex intumescens Carex scoparia Carex rmlpinoidea Carolina Chickadee (Pams carolinensis) Carolina Wren ( Thryothorus ludovicianus) Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedromm) Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cemlea) Chesmut Oak (Quercus prinus) Chesmur-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) Chrisrmas Fern (Polysticlmm acrostichoides) Cinnamon Fern ( Osmunda cinnamomea) Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Climonia ( Clintonia borealis) Closed Gemian (Gentian a andrewsit} Cloudless Sulfur (Phoebis sermae) Clubshell (Pleurobema clava) Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

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Common Tern (Sterna hinmdo) Common Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus communis) Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) Common Garter Snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) Common Grackle ( Quiscalus quiscula) Common High bush Blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbomm) Common Loon (Cavia immer) Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) Common Moorhen ( Gallinula chloropus) Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare) Common Raven (Corvus corax) Common Redpoll ( Carduelis jlammea) Common Wood Nymph ( Cercyonis pegala) Common Wood-sorrel ( Oxalis montana) Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas) Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperit} Corron Grass (Eriophorum sp.) Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) Creeping Snow Berry (Gaultheria hispidula) Crested Wood-fern (Dryopteris cristata) Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) Cut-leaved Toothwort (Dentaria laciniata) Cur-leaved Water-horehound (Lycopus americanus) Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) Dewberry (Rubus hispidus) Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) Downy Willow-herb (Epilobium strictum) Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) Dwarf Ginseng (Panax trifolius) Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus Jloridanus) Eastern Coyote (Canis latrans) Eastern Fox Squirrel (Scitmts niger) Eastern Garter Snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciunts carolinensis) Eastern Hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis) Eastern Hornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana) Eastern Kingbird ( Tyramms tyramzus) Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) Eastern Sand Darter (Etheostoma pellucidum) Eastern Screech Owl ( Otus asio) Eastern Sycamore (Platanus occidmtalis) Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) Eastern Wood-pewee ( Contopus virens) Endothia parasitica European Larch (Larix decidua) Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona tJespertina) Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice) False Hellebore ( Vt>ratntm vi ride) False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina racemosa) Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) Fisher (Martes pennantt} Foamflower ( Tiarella cordifolia) Forster's Tern (Sterna forsten) Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)

Fragrant Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan) Gadwall (Anas strepera) Garlic Mustard (Alliaria officina/is) Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Glaucous Gull (Lams hyperboreus) Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) Golden-fruited Sedge ( Carex a urea) Gold thread (Cop tis groenlandica) Grape Fern (Botrychium sp.) Grass Pink ( Calopogon pulchellus) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Fox ( Urocyon cinereoargemeus) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodeas) Grear Crested Flycatcher (Myriarclms crinittts) Great Egret ( CasmeroditiS a/bus) Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) Great Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum canaliculatum) Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeritl cybele) Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albiftons) Greater Yellowlegs ( Tringa melanoleuca) Green Ash (Fraxinus pemzsylvanica) Green Darner (An ax jtmius) Green Frog (Rana clamitans melanota) Green Heron (Butorides striatus) Greenbrier (Smilax rottmdifolia) Green-headed Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) Greenside Darter (Etheostoma blennioides) Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Hawthorn ( Crataegus sp.) Haysccnted Fern (Dennstaedtia ptmctilobula) Hermit Thrush ( CathaniS guttatus) Hoary Redpoll ( Carduelis hornemanm} Hobblebush Viburnum (Viburnum alnifolium) Hooded Ladies'Tresses (Spiranthes romanzojjiana) Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes ettcullams) Hooded Warbler ( Wilsonia citrina) Hop Hornbeam (sec Eastern Hornbeam) Horned Grebe (Podiceps aurittiS) Horsechesmur (Aesculus hippocastanatum) House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) Indian Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana) Indian-pipe (Monotropa unijlora) Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Interrupted Fern ( Osmunda Claytoniana) Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) Japanese Knotweed (Polygomtm cuspidatum) Kidney Shell (Ptychobranclms fasciolaris) Kidneyleaf Buttercup (Rummculus abortivus) Killdeer ( Chradrius vocifoms) King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-{emina) Lady Finger (Elliptio dilatatus) Large-fruited Cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon) Largemourh Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

L1rge-cooched Aspen (Populm grandidenttlftt) Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus) LeafY Norchern Green Orchis (Piatanthem hyperborea) Lease Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) Leatherleaf ( Chamaedaplme calymlata) Lesser Bladderwort ( UtriCtt!aria minor) Lesser Scaup (Aythya ajjinis) Lesser Yellowlegs ( Tringa fowipes) Linle Blue Heron (Florida caerulea) Litcle Brown Myoris (Myotis ez,otis) Lirclc Gull (Lams minutus) Longhead Darter (Percina macrocephala) Long-railed Duck ( Clangula hyemalis) Lowbush Blueberry ( Vaccinium sp.) Lycopodia (Lycopodium sp.) Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) Marginal Woodfern (Dryopteris marginalis) Marsh Blue Violet (Viola cucullata) Marsh Cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) Marsh Wren ( Cistothoms palustris) May-apple (Podophyllum peltatum) Mcadow Vole (Microtus penmyfz,anicus) Merlin (Falco columbarius) Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) Mink (Mustela vison) Miterwort (Mite/fa diphylltz) Moccasin-flower ( Cypripedium acatt!e) Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Moosewood (see Striped Maple) Mountain Brook Lamprey (fchthyomyzon greeleyz) Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) Mountain Madtom (Noturus eleutherus) Mourning Cloak (Nympha/is tmtiopa) Mourning Warbler ( Oporornis philadelphia) Mud Sedge ( Carex limosa) Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) Muskrat ( Ondatra zibethica) Nashville Warbler ( Vennifora rujicapilla) Necrria coccinia Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) New York Fern ( Thelypteris noveboracensis) Northern Arrowwood (Viburnum recognitum) Northern Bayberry (Myrica pemylvanica} Northern Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi dekayz) Northern Cardinal ( Cardinalis cardinalis) Northern Flicker ( Colaptes au raws) Northern Fly-honeysuckle (Lonicera villostt) Northern Flying Squirrel ( G!twgomys sabrinus) Northern Gannet (Moms bassanttS) Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) Northern Leopard Frog (Ramz pipiens) Northern Madrom (Noturus stigmosus) Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Northern Parula (Pam/a mnericana) Northern Pike (Esox lucius)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber ruber) Northern Riffieshell (Epioblasma torulosa) Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx rujicollis) Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor) Northern Slimy Salamander (Piethodon glutinosus) Northern Spring Salamander ( G;•rinophilus porphyriticus) Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata) Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon) Northern Waterchrush (Seiurus noz,eboracemis) Norchcrn White Violet (Viola pal/ens) Norway Spruce (Picea e.-.:celsa) Ohio Lamprey (fchthyomyzon bdellium) Opossum (Didelphis marsupia/is) Orange Sulfur ( Colias eurytheme) Orange-crowned Warbler ( Vermifora celata) Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurious) Osprey (Pandion IHtliaetus) Ostrich Fern (Mtuteuccia Struthiopteris) Ovenbird (Seiurus tlllrocapillus) Paimed Trillium (Trillium tmdulatum) Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pal/ida) Pale Violet (Viola striata) Partridgeberry (Mitchella repem) Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) Pcrfoliatc Bell wort ( Uzmlaria perfoliata) Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinm) Pickerel Frog (Rantt palustris) Pickerelweed (Pomederia cordata) Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) Pilearcd Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) Pin Cherry (Prrmus pensylvanica) Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enudeator) Piech Pine (Pinus rigida) Pircher-plam (Sarracenia purpurea) Pocketbook (Lampsilis ventricosa) Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicam) Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron tJemix) Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) Purple Finch ( Carpodacus purpureus) Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Purple Martin (Progne subis) Purple Sandpiper ( Calidris maritima) Purple-fringed Orchis (Habenaria jimbriata) Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caemleum) Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Rattlesnake Fern (Botrychium virginianum) Red Crossbill (Loxia mrvirostra) Red Currant (Ribes triste) Red Efr (see Red-sponed Newt) Red Fox ( Vulpes .fitfz,a) Red Knot ( Calidris camttus) Red Maple (Acer rubrum) Red Phalarope (Phalaropus .fitlicnrius) Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) Red Squirrel ( Tamiascizmts lmdsonicus)

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) Redback Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) Red-breasted Nurharch (Sitta canadensis) Red-eyed Vireo (VIreo olivaceus) Redhead (Aytbya americana) Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) Red-osier Dogwood (Corn us stoloniftra) Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo /ineatus) Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Red-throated Loon ( Gavia stellata) Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) River Otter (Ltttra canadensis) Robert's Geranium (Geranium robertianum) Rose Pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides) Rose-bay Rhododendron (see Great Rhododendron) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) Round-leaved Orchis (Habenaria orbimlata) Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifo/ia) Round-leaved Yellow Violet (Viola rotundifolia) Round-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica americanum) Royal Fern ( Osmrmda regalis) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Ruddy Duck ( Oxyura jamaicemis) Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) Rufous-sided Towhee (see Eastern Towhee) Running Pine (Lycolodium complanatum) Sabine's Gull (Xema sabim) Sandhill Crane ( Grus canadensis) Sassafras (Sassa.fras albidum) Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwicbensis) Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) Sculpin ( Cottus sp.) Sedge Wren ( Cistothorus platemis) Sensitive Fern ( Onoclea sensibilis) Serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.) Shagbark hickory ( Carya ovata) Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica amtiloba) Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) Shining Clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum) Shore-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) Short-eared Owl (Asio jlammeus) Showy Lady's Slipper ( Cypripedium reginae) Silky Dogwood (Comus amomum) Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) Silvery Spleenwort (Athyrium thelypteroides) Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) Slender Cotton-grass (Eriophorum gracile) Slender Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes gracilis) Slender Spike-rush (Eleocbaris elliptica) Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) Smooch Green Snake ( Opheodrys vernalis) Smooch Winterberry Holly (flex laevigata) Smooth Yellow Violet (Viola pensylvanica) Snapping T urrle ( Chelydra serpentina) Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) Soft Rush (}uncus ejfitsus)

Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorom) Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) Sora (Por:ama carolina) Sourgum, Yellow Gum or Upland Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) Sourhern Flying Squirrel ( Glaucomys volans) Spatterdock (Nuphar advena) Speckled Alder (Alnus rugosa) Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum sp.) Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) Spinulose Woodfern (Dryopteris spinulosa) Spiny Sofrshell Turtle (Apalone spiniftra) Sported Darter (Etbeostoma maculatum) Sported Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) Sported Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capemis) Spring Azure ( Celastrina argiolus lucia) Spring Beauty ( Claytonia virginica) Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) Sraghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) Star Flower ( Trientalis borealis) Stiff Club moss (Lycopodium annotinum) Srilr Sandpiper (Micropalama himantopus) Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum) Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) Sugar Maple (Acer sacchantm) Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) Sunfish (Lepomis sp.) Surf Scorer (Melanitta perspicillata) Swamp Buttercup (Rammculus septentrionalis) Swamp Dogwood (see Silky Dogwood) Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) Swamp Saxifrage (Saxi.fraga pensylvanica) Swamp Smarrweed (Polygonum coccinium) Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) Sweergum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Tamarack (Larix laricina) Tennessee Warbler ( Vermivora peregrina} Thin-leaved Cotton-grass (Eriophorum viridicarinatu) Toorhwort (Dentaria diphylla) Trailing Arburus (Epigaea repem) Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurom) Tree Swallow (lridoprocne bicolor) Triangle Grape Fern (Botrychium lanceolatum) True Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) Tufted Titmouse (Parus bicolor) Tuliprree (Liriodendron tulipiftra) Tundra Swan ( 0/or columbianus) Varying Hare (Lepus americanus) Veery ( Catharus fuscescens) Violet Shell (see Lady Finger) Virginia Cotton Grass (Eriophorum virginicum) Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) Water-mat ( Chrysoplenium americanum) Warer-pennyworr (Hydrodactyle americana)

Wehrle's Salamander (Piethodon wehrler) Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Whip-poor-will ( Caprimulgus vociftrus) White Ash (Fraximts americana) White Beak-rush (Rhynchosporaalba) White Oak (Quercus alba) White Sucker ( Catostomus commersom) White Trillium (Trillium grandiflomm) Whire Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) White-breasred Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginimws) White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) White-winged Scorer (Melanitta degland1) Wild Calla Lily (Calla palustris) Wild Ginger (Astzrum canadense) Wild Leek (Allium tricoccum) Wild Oats (Uvula ria sessilifolia) Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Willet ( CatoptrophortiS semipalmatus) Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Wolfclaw Lycopodium (Lycopodium clavatum) Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) Woodchuck (Marmota monax) Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaemaatrorubens) Wool Grass (Scirpus cyperinus) Worm-caring Warbler (Helmitheros vermivoniS) Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniemis) Yellow Iris (Iris pseudocontS) Yellow Perch (Perea jlavescens) Yellow Sedge ( Carex jlava) Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronimn americanum) Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) Yellow-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) Yellow-rhroared Warbler (Dendroica dominica)

243