Stony Point Lighthouse, prior to restoration. (Photo by Alan Wells, 1985).
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Stony Point Lighthouse, prior to restoration. (Photo by Alan Wells, 1985). |
Best birding is in spring and early summer, during breeding season.
From the NYS Thruway: Take Exit 16 (Harriman), to Route 6 east to Bear Mountain Bridge Circle. Proceed south on Rt 9W about 9 miles. Turn left on Park Road.
From Newburgh-Beacon Bridge: Follow Rt 9W south to Bear Mountain Bridge Circle. Continue south on Rt 9W approximately 9 miles to Park Road. Turn left.
From New York City: Take Palisades Interstate Parkway north to Exit 15. Proceed on Rt 106 east to Rt 9W. Turn left through the town of Stony Point, then right on Park Road.
Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site is located on a knobby promontory projecting into the Hudson River in the town of Stony Point, NY. It is the only preserved Revolutionary War battlefield in the lower Hudson -- the site of a successful midnight assault led by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne against a British Garrison in July, 1779. The site also hosts the oldest lighthouse in the Hudson Valley. The lighthouse, built in 1826, has been recently restored and relighted (1995). The Battlefield is open from April 15 through October 31. Tours of the lighthouse are available.
The best birding is often found outside of the Battlefield along the entrance road, especially near the small pond and wetland near the first gate. Bird along road as far as the bridge over the railroad tracks. There is no parking along the entrance road. You may find limited parking along several side roads, or check with the Battlefield staff for parking.
During winter, when the Park is closed to the public, bald eagle roost in the trees near the river's edge. The best place to view them is from the Stony Point Marina, just south of the Park.
Tall, mixed deciduous hardwoods line the entrance road. A short description of the flora can be obtained from the Torrey Botanical web site.
During the spring and summer of the Atlas 2000 breeding bird survey, the following species were observed along the entrance road and vicinity:
American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, Baltimore oriole, barn swallow, belted kingfisher, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Canada goose, chimney swift, common grackle, common yellowthroat, downy woodpecker, eastern kingbird, eastern phoebe, eastern wood-pewee, gray catbird, great blue heron, great crested flycatcher, house finch, house wren, indigo bunting, mallard, mourning dove, mute swan, northern cardinal, northern flicker, northern mockingbird, northern rough-winged swallow, red-bellied woodpecker, red-eyed vireo, red-winged blackbird, song sparrow, tree swallow, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch, wood duck, wood thrush, yellow warbler, yellow-billed cuckoo.