February 25, 2013

Some friends and I went birding along Lake Champlain on the weekend, braving the constant snow showers. We decided to try the north end of the lake, and started at a few points in and around Plattsburgh without much success. Cumberland Head was fairly slow as well, but we did find a few groups of ducks, mostly common goldeneye and common mergansers, with a red-breasted merganser mixed in – not an easy bird to find on Champlain.

As we headed north the lake soon became completely frozen, and we focused more on finding birds in and along the fields which surround the lake. In the farm fields of Point Au Roche we came across a few small groups of horned larks and we found a handful of snow buntings – two species for which we were searching. The buntings and larks feed on the ground in open fields in places where seed, corn stubble, or a manure spread are exposed, providing potential food.

We then hiked around Point Au Roche State Park in the hopes of blundering into an owl, but to no avail. The walk did serve to stretch our legs, but after the snow picked up harder, we decided to head back to the car. We were parked by some bird feeders which had attracted a nice group of American tree sparrows, as well as cardinals, juncos, and chickadees.

Cooper's Hawk - Larry
An adult female Cooper's hawk with its rock pigeon prey. Image courtesy of www.masterimages.org.

Further down the road, we were checking out another collection of birds at a feeder when a Cooper's hawk dashed in trying to catch a meal. I watched the bird race low along the road towards us, using the small house as a screen before whipping around the corner of the house to surprise the birds. Its attempt was not successful, but it was still an impressive display of agility and speed.

We continued north exploring farm fields and discovered another Cooper's hawk in the village of Chazy – this one evidently hunting pigeons and starlings in town. We also found another flock of snow buntings which vanished in the steadily falling snow – which made us question if we actually saw the birds at all or if the snow was playing tricks on our eyes.

Not long after that we encountered a flock of about 150 snow buntings near Chazy Landing which contained three Lapland longspurs, a target species of ours for the day. Both species are arctic breeders which winter in open pastoral land – and longspurs can be tricky to find in the area. They are generally only found in large flocks of horned larks and snow buntings. The flock we located was fairly flighty, landing to feed only to quickly fly up and wheel around in the sky and land to feed somewhere else. We picked a place the birds consistently returned to and sat in the car waiting. Sure enough they returned to us several more times, and we had nice looks at the buntings and longspurs.

We turned south, finding a rough-legged hawk along the farm fields on the way, and a few more red-tailed hawks as well. We decided to check out some open water on the lake for ducks with our remaining time, and we headed to AuSable Point on our way home.

barred owl - AB
We found this barred owl while driving to AuSable Point. It posed nicely for us along the road.
As we were driving there I spotted a barred owl sitting perhaps four feet off the ground on a dead limb along the road. We turned around and had great looks at it and its dark eyes. Discovering barred owls out in the afternoon along roads in winter can often mean that the bird is desperate for food and in bad physical shape due to harsh winter conditions. But this bird looked healthy and alert and it seemed likely that it was active due to the overcast conditions of the day. After we watched the owl for a while, it flew and we continued on to AuSable Point.

There was a nice collection of ducks at AuSable including common and hooded merganser, mallard, black duck, common goldeneye, bufflehead, and an enormous, distant raft of both greater and lesser scaup. There may have been a thousand scaup. We then made one last stop at the Port Kent ferry terminal with our remaining light where we topped off our day with a small group of ring-necked ducks.

Cooper's Hawk - Larry
An adult female Cooper's hawk with its rock pigeon prey. Image courtesy of www.masterimages.org.
barred owl - AB
We found this barred owl while driving to AuSable Point. It posed nicely for us along the road.

Packages and Promotions

Valid Apr. 8

- Apr. 8

Valid Feb. 29

- Apr. 8

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party!

Moose Lodge Boathouse Restaurant

Specialty cocktails featuring Angel's Envy whiskey, delicious buffet offerings, live music and a prime viewing spot to experience totality.

Valid Feb. 6

- Feb. 29

Valid Feb. 6

- Feb. 29

Ampersand Bay Resort Sweetheart Package

Ampersand Bay Resort

Dinner for 2 at the Sunset Bistro ($150 value) Chocolate Covered Strawberries and a Bottle of Champagne in the room on arrival. 1pm late check out.

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Woof and Wander

Bluebird Lake Placid

Your pooch will be as comfortable as their owners with our pet friendly package!

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDER OFFER

Bluebird Lake Placid

10% off our Best Available Rate for all active as well as retired military personnel, and first responders on leisure stays.

Valid Feb. 8

- Feb. 7

Valid Feb. 8

- Feb. 7

Stay More, Play More

Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa

Valid Apr. 12

- May. 1

Valid Mar. 5

- May. 1

Winter Clearance - 40% OFF!

Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort

40% Off Winter Merchandise

Valid Jan. 11

- Mar. 31

Valid Jan. 11

- Mar. 31

Celebrate 2024 with 24% OFF!

Grand Adirondack Hotel

Winter adventure and snow-kissed peaks beckon! Celebrate 2024 with a 24% discount on stays Sunday-Thursday through March. Rate is 24 percent off our Retail rates. Rate is fully prepaid and non-refundable. Available select weekdays through March 2024...

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

The Adirondack Elopement

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

The ultimate, intimate "I do" experience.

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Adirondack Guides

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

Get the most out of your stay - Guide Services Available!

Valid Apr. 5

- Apr. 11

Valid Mar. 5

- Apr. 11

Winter Clearance - Helmets, Goggles and Poles!

Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort

40% off Helmets, Goggles and Poles!

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Romance Package

Town House Lodge by the Lake

Package Details Surprise your significant other with a romantic evening waiting for you on the day of your arrival!

Valid Jan. 11

- Mar. 23

Valid Jan. 11

- Mar. 23

Savor & Stay

Lake Placid Lodge

Enjoy breakfast and dinner at one of our five star restaurants. Packaged with your stay!

Valid Apr. 5

- Apr. 10

Valid Feb. 23

- Apr. 10

Total Eclipse of the Park IPA

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

Get your hands on some Out-of-this-World beer before its gone!

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Romance Package

Placid Bay Hotel

Surprise your significant other with a romantic Getaway!  Includes roses, wine glasses, and chocolates upon arrival.

Valid Mar. 29

- Apr. 4

Valid Mar. 5

- Apr. 4

Winter Clearance at Whiteface!

Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort

40% off Select Items!

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Spa Experience

Town House Lodge by the Lake

What better way to connect and relax with your partner after a long day on the mountain than to enjoy an in-room spa experience for two?

Valid Mar. 22

- Mar. 24

Valid Jan. 8

- Mar. 24

Girls Getaway Weekend

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

$75 Resort Credit per room per NIGHT to pamper the Girls!

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Play and Stay Package

Crowne Plaza Lake Placid

Includes stay at Crowne Plaza Hotel with Golf at our Lake Placid Club Courses

Valid May. 1

- Apr. 30

Valid Jan. 1

- Apr. 30

Stay & Save

The Devlin

Book a 3-night stay with The Devlin and get 10% off your visit.

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

4th Night Free!

Lake Placid Lodge

Enjoy a night on us! 4th night free when you stay 3.

Valid Jan. 11

- Jun. 15

Valid Jan. 11

- Jun. 15

Stay 2 Midweek Nights and Receive a 3rd Round of Golf with Cart FREE!

Crowne Plaza Lake Placid

Stay 2 Midweek Nights and Receive a 3rd Round of Golf with Cart FREE! *Rates are per person, per night based on double occupancy in a standard room. Available Sunday-Thursday, Opening Day-mid June. Tax not included. Subject to availability. US $

Valid May. 1

- Jun. 16

Valid Feb. 20

- Jun. 15

Pre-Season Golf Package

Cambria Lake Placid - Lakeside Resort

Pre-Season Golf from May 1- June 16. Stay two nights at the Cambria Hotel Lake Placid and play two rounds of unlimited golf and a cart at the Van Kleek-designed Award-winning championship course at Whiteface Club & Resort.

Valid Jan. 8

- Jan. 8

Valid Jan. 8

- Jan. 8

Adirondack a la Carte

High Peaks Resort

Complete your Adirondack Vacation with a $150 dining credit to Dancing Bears!

Valid Jan. 9

- Dec. 31

Valid Jan. 9

- Dec. 31

Babymoon

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

Celebrate your growing family with $75 nightly resort credit!

Valid Jan. 11

- Apr. 30

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Ski with Olympic Medalist Andrew Weibrecht

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

Ever dreamed of spending time on the slopes with an Olympic athlete? Well, now you can!

Valid Feb. 11

- Jun. 30

Valid Feb. 11

- Jun. 30

Stay 3 nights save 20%

Cambria Lake Placid - Lakeside Resort

Book a 3-night stay and save 20%

Valid Apr. 6

- Apr. 9

Valid Jan. 8

- Apr. 9

2024 Eclipse at the Mirror Lake Inn

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to view solar eclipse with luxurious accommodations, breakfast at 'The View' Restaurant, Eclipse Viewing Glasses & $50 resort credit per room per night.

Valid Feb. 8

- Feb. 7

Valid Feb. 8

- Feb. 7

Rustic Romance Getaway Package

Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa

Valid Apr. 6

- Apr. 6

Valid Feb. 21

- Apr. 6

Solar Eclipse Storytime

The Bookstore Plus

Come learn about a solar eclipse and make cereal box viewers with us!

Valid Jan. 5

- Jan. 5

Valid Jan. 5

- Jan. 5

Stay More, Play More

High Peaks Resort

Stay for FREE!

Valid Feb. 16

- May. 30

Valid Feb. 16

- May. 30

Stay and Sip

Eastwind Lake Placid

Unwind in comfort with a luxurious hotel stay while enjoying the added delight of two complimentary cocktails.

Valid Jan. 12

- Jan. 12

Valid Jan. 12

- Jan. 12

Supper & Stay

Stagecoach Inn

Enhance your stay at The Lake Placid Stagecoach Inn with an exceptional 3-course meal.

Valid Jan. 11

- May. 1

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Nordic Ski With Olympic Medalist Andrea Henkel Burke

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

Stay and Nordic Ski with an Olympic Gold Medal Recipient!

Valid Jan. 8

- Jun. 27

Valid Jan. 8

- Jun. 27

100th Anniversary Package

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

100 years at the Inn gets you $100 Resort Credit PER DAY!

Valid Mar. 26

- Apr. 8

Valid Mar. 26

- Apr. 8

Solar Eclipse Lunch To Go

Green Goddess Natural Market & Catering

Get your eclipse provisions to go from Green Goddess Market & Cafe for just $14.99!

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Spa Experience

Placid Bay Hotel

Enjoy an in-room spa experience for two with your stay. What better way to connect and relax with your partner after a long day on the mountain!

Valid Jan. 9

- Dec. 31

Valid Jan. 9

- Dec. 31

Couples Getaway

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa

Escape with your loved one to a truly romantic experience - sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries overlooking spectacular views of Mirror Lake and the Adirondack High Peaks is just the beginning...

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Valid Jan. 11

- Jan. 11

Golf & Stay Package

Crowne Plaza Lake Placid

Starting at: $119.00 * Weekend & Summer packages available at higher rates

Valid Feb. 8

- Feb. 7

Valid Feb. 8

- Feb. 7

Spa Escape

Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa

Our Spa Escape package is ideal for couples or friends traveling together.

Valid May. 3

- May. 5

Valid Feb. 20

- May. 1

Immersion into Tantra Yoga

Cambria Lake Placid - Lakeside Resort

Nourish your body and mind by indulging in a weekend of growth with Todd Norian, founder of Ashaya Yoga.

Load More