Printer-friendlyDerby Hill Bird Observatory
Watch up to 18,000 broad-winged hawks soar overhead on a single April day at New York's premiere hawk watching site. Up to 15 kinds of hawks and eagles parallel the Lake Ontario bluffs here. Follow the trail and boardwalk through a wet meadow for songbirds. Watch herons and ducks from the Sage Creek Marsh blind.
Description: Located in the Southeast corner of Lake Ontario, Derby Hill is ideally located for observing the spring migration of hawks. When northbound hawks reach the lakeshore they turn East and North to take advantage of the rising air masses called thermals along the shore. Derby Hill has a bluff overlook above the lake providing a panoramic view. The best hawk viewing is from an open field adjacent to the lake shore. Two other viewing areas, South Lookout and Sage Creek Marsh are located along the access road, Sage Creek Drive.
Viewing Information: One of the premier birding sites in the Northeast, Derby Hill enables visitors to see the 15 species of migrating hawks and eagles that migrate through the state each year. Peak flights usually occur during the last 10 days of April. Flights can be spectacular as wave after wave of migrants pass over at tree top level dropping to skim the field's surface. More than 18,000 broad-winged hawks have been counted in a single day. Comparisons of number of birds counted each year provide an index of the health of hawk populations. A trail and boardwalk through field, wet meadow, and forest provide good songbird and other wildlife viewing. At the Sage Creek Marsh site, herons and ducks can be observed from a blind.
Directions: From the Interstate-81 Mexico exit, north of Syracuse (in central New York), travel 5 miles west on NY Route 104 to Mexico. Then go 4 miles north on NY Route 3 to NY Route 104B, then west 3/4 mile to Sage Creek Drive. Follow signs to Sanctuary.
Closest Town: Mexico
Ownership: Onondaga Audubon Society
Telephone: (315-457-7731)
Size: 50 acres
