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Sand, Wind,& Water
A recreational guide to Eastern
Lake Ontario’s dunes and wetlands
Table of Contents
Introduction Welcome! 1 Activities 1 Gettingthere 1 Protectthedunesandwetlandsduringyourvisit! 1 EasternLakeOntarioDunesandWetlandsAreamap 2
About the dunes and wetlands Whataresanddunes? 3 Whydidthedunesformhere? 3 Hey,where’sthatdunegoing? 4 Whyarethedunesimportant? 4 Whatarewetlands? 5Public access information DeerCreekWildlifeManagementArea 6 SandyIslandBeachStatePark 8 SandyPondBeachNaturalArea 9 LakeviewWildlifeManagementArea 10 SouthwickBeachStatePark 18 BlackPondWildlifeManagementArea 20 ElDoradoNaturePreserve 22
Other information What’sthatsplash? 4 Listofplantsinthearea 5 What’sthatpileofsticks? 7 Marshinvader! 13 CapeorChamplainBeachgrass 15 Atouchysubject! 16 Coveredwithwater! 17 Forthebirds! 19 NorthernJack(orisitJill?)-in-the-pulpit 21 Amarshleopard? 23 Listofbirdsinthearea 24
Where to get more information 25
ThisguidebookwaspreparedfortheNewYorkStateDepartmentofState,DivisionofCoastalResources,withfundsprovidedunder
Title11oftheEnvironmentalProtectionFund.
Revised 2007
Welcome!
Activities
Getting there
Protect the dunes and wetlands during your visit!
The dunes and wetlands in this area are extremely fragile and easily destroyed. Please exercise sound stewardship practices during your visit to the dunes and, please:
lstayoffthedunes,l picniconlyatSouthwickBeachorSandy
IslandBeach,l swimonlyatSouthwickBeachorSandy
IslandBeachwithalifeguard,lstayondesignatedtrailsandwalkways,l takeoutwhateveryoubringin,lleaveeverythingyoufind(exceptlitter),l huntandfishawayfromthedunes,l makefiresonlyindesignatedareas,l camponlyatSouthwickBeach,andlandboatsonlyindesignatedareas.1
AlongLakeOntario’sEasternshoreisa17-milestretchofsanddunes,wetlands,woodlands,ponds,andcreeksknownastheEasternLakeOntarioDunesandWetlandsArea.ReachingfromthemouthoftheSalmonRivernorthtotheoutletofBlackPond,theareasupportsadiversityofplantsandwildlife.Sevenpropertiesareopentothepublicforoutdoorrecreation:DeerCreekWildlifeManagementArea(WMA),SandyIslandBeachStatePark,SandyPondBeachNaturalArea,LakeviewWMA,SouthwickBeachStatePark,BlackPondWMA,andElDoradoNaturePreserve.
TakeawalkalongthebeachinSouthwickBeachStateParkorswim,picnic,camp,andplayball.Ifyoupreferamorerusticsetting,hiking,boating,birdwatching,fishing,orhuntinginthethreewildlifemanagementareasmaybejustwhatyou’relookingfor.Thenumerouscreeksthroughouttheareahaveslightcurrents,perfectforcanoeing.
TheEasternLakeOntarioDunesandWetlandsAreaiseasytogettobycarfromInterstate81andRoute3.Themaponpage2showsparkingareasandtrails.Accessinformationforeachpropertyaccessibletothepublicisincludedinthisguide.Pleaserespectprivateproperty;useonlydesignatedpublicaccesspoints.
Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area
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FollowthissignonRoute3ifyouwishtotraveltheSeawayTrail,ascenicbywayalongNewYork’sGreatLakescoast.
What are
Why did the
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TheEasternLakeOntarioDunesandWetlandsAreaiscomprisedofsixmainzones:A-beach;B-foredune;C-troughorswale;D-inlandorsecondarydune;E-backdune;andF-wetland,pond,orcreek.Woodlandsandmeadowsarefoundinlandofthewetlandzone.(IllustrationcourtesyofBobMcNamara.)
sand dunes?
dunes form here?
Sanddunesarebasicallylongridgesofsandandothersedimentspiledontheshorebywindandwaveaction.Thesandisheldtogetherbyplants,suchasChamplainandAmericanBeachgrass(seeillustrationonbackcover).Theplants’leavestrapsandandtheirbranchingrootspreventthesandfromblowingaway.
Thedunesgrowassandisblownontothemandtrappedbyplantsorsnow-fencing,buildingthemhigherandhigher.ChamplainandAmericanBeachgrassareespeciallyimportantsincetheycansurvivebeingcoveredwithsand.Asthedunesgetlargerandmorestable,plantssuchasWormwood,EasternCottonwood,PoisonIvy,andSandDuneWillowtakerootandaddtothestayingpowerofthedune.
Anotherdunemayforminfrontoftheolder,stableduneandthewholeprocessisthenrepeated.Infact,aseriesofdunesmayformparalleltotheshorewiththeprimarydune,orforedune,closesttothelake.Theinlandduneiscalledthesecondarydune.
OfftheEasternLakeOntariocoastlineisanunderwatersheetofsandthatformedthousandsofyearsago,whentheshorelineextendedfurtherwestintothelake.Sandforthedunescomesfromthisancient,now-underwaterbeach.Eventually,averylongtimefromnow,allthesandwillbewashedashore.
A B C D E F
Hey, where’s that dune going?
Why are
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What’s that splash?
Asyoutravelthroughthewetlandsofthearea,don’tbetoosurprisedifyouseeasplashofwaternexttoyourboatatonepointoranother.Thecarpisafamiliarsight--andsound--inwetlandsthroughoutNewYork.Ifyoulookcarefully,youmayseethefinonthisfish’sbackstickingoutofthewaterinshallowareas.Carparegenerallylong-lived,withmanyindividualslivingupto20years.Theyarealsolarge,somegrowingupto35pounds.AnativeofEuropeandAsia,carpmeatisconsideredadelicacyinmanycountries.
Common CarpCyprinuscarpo
the dunes important?
Thesanddunesactasabufferorbarrier,protectingthewetlandsandotherinlandareasfromtheeffectsofhighwater,wavesandcurrents,aswellasseverecoastalstorms.Withoutthedunes,propertynearthecoastofLakeOntario,includinghomesandfarmland,wouldbedamagedbyspringtimefloods,causingseriouseconomicimpactsforlocalinhabitants.Damagetowetlandscanleadtolossofhabitatforwildlifeandfewerrecreationalopportunitiesforpeople.
Sanddunesareveryfragileandeasilyerodedorwornaway.Thebeachgrassandotherplantsholdingthedunetogetherareabletosurviveintheharshduneenvironment--boilinghotinthesummer,freezingcoldinthewinter,andalwaysbreezy.Butsteponthem,sitonthem,orpickthemandtheydon’tsurvivelong.Inplaceswheretheplantshavebeendestroyed,thesandislooseandeasilyblownaway.Asmallfootpathsoonbecomesagapingholeintheduneasthewindeatsawayatit,erodingdeepintothedune.Largeholesinthedunesarecalledduneblowouts.
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What are
Which of these plants can you find during your visit? Use a field guide to identify them.
Fragrant WaterlilyNymphaeaodorata
Marsh species: Dune species: Woodland species:r FragrantWaterlily rWormwood rMayappler Spatterdock rDuneWillow rJack-in-the-pulpitr PurpleLoosestrife rPoisonIvy rGreenAshr CommonCattail rChamplain rSugarMapler Arrowhead Beachgrass rEasternRedCedarr YellowIris rBeachPea rWhiteBirchr MarshMarigold rCottonwood rTrilliumr Duckweed rDuneGrape rJewelweed
wetlands?
“Wetlands”isacollectivetermmeaningmarshes,swamps,bogs,andotherwaterloggedareas.InlandofthedunesofLakeOntarioarelow-lyingareaswhichhaveformedwetlandswithpondsandstreams.Seasonally‑wetareasnexttofreshwaterriversarecalled“riparian”wetlands.Riparianwetlandsarefoundinlandofthedunesinallthreeofthewildlifemanagementareas.
Althoughoriginallythoughtofasuselesswastelands,wetlandsareveryimportantnaturalresources.Wetlands:1)improvewaterquality,2)reducefloodandstormdamage,3)providenaturalhabitatforfish,plants, andanimals,and4)providespaceforrecreationalopportunitiessuchasboatingandbirdwatching.
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Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Things to do...
Wetlands/Dune Trail Length:0.9mile(oneway)
Difficulty:Easy
Typeofuse:Hiking
Thistrailfollowsanabandonedroad,offeringviewsofDeerCreek’swetlandsanddunes.Afterabout0.2mile,apathtotherightcutsovertothebeach.Continueonthemaintrailandyouwillsoonreachanobservationplatformandadunewalkovertothebeach.Theobservationtoweroffersaspectacularviewofthemarsh.Fromhere,themaintrailcontinuessouththroughthedunes.PleasestaywithinthestringfencinguntilyoureachDeerCreek’soutlet.Followthebeachnorthtoreturntotheparkingarea.
Howtogetthere:TakeRainbowShoresRoadwesttotheend,andtakealeftturn.Thisdirtroadeventuallyforks.Taketheleftforktotheparkingarea.Thetrailstartsontheothersideofthemetalgate.
DeerCreekMarshWildlifeManagementArea(WMA)isa1,195-acreareamanagedbytheNYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation-Region7.Takeawalkalongthebeach,canoeorfishinthewetlands,orhikeorhuntinthewoods!Ifyou’reanangler,DeerCreeksupportshealthyNorthernPikeandLargemouthBasspopulations.Enjoyyourvisithere,butrememberthatswimming,picnicking,andlandingboatsareallowedonlyattheoutlet.
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Deer CreekDistance:2.6miles(oneway)
Typeofuse:Unmotorizedcar-topboats
DeerCreekmeandersthroughcattailmarshes,pastWoodDucknestingboxesandmuskratandbeaverlodges,andbetweentheforeandsecondarydunesalongtheLakeOntariocoast.Bytravelingbetweentheduneridges,yougetafeelforhowthedunesactasabarrier,protectingthewetlandsandinlandareasfromwindandwaves.ThecreekeventuallyleadstotheLakeOntariooutlet.BrennanBeachCampgroundisonthesouthsideoftheoutlet.Watchforstrongcurrentshere.Pleaselandyourboatonlyattheoutlettopreventerosionofthedunesalongthecreek.
Howtogetthere:AparkingareaforDeerCreek’sunmotorizedboatlaunchisonthewestsideofRoute3,1.2milessouthofRainbowShoresRoad.Afterparkinghere,a0.1-mileportageleadsyoutothecreek.
Beaverlodgesresemblingpilesofsticksaboundinthemanycreeksandchannelsfoundthroughoutthedunesandwetlandsarea.Beaversbuildtheirlodgesfromthebottomup,usinglogs,branches,rocks,andmud.Theentrancetoeachlodgeisunderwater,whichkeepsoutunwantedguests.Insidethelodgeisadryfloorwithabedoftwigs,leaves,andgrasses.Ifyouseealodgethatlookslikeabeaverlodgebutismadeofcattails,you’vefoundamuskratlodge.
What’s that pile of sticks?
Beaver lodge
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Sandy Island Beach State Park
Things to do... SparklingbluewaterandawarmstretchofbeachwelcomeyouandyourfamilytothisOswegoCountyfamilyattraction.TherefreshingLakeOntariowaterandwhitesandybeachesprovidehoursofenjoymentfortheentirefamily.Theparkisopenyear-roundfromsunrisetosunset.Certifiedlifeguardsareondutyfrom11a.m.to7p.m.daily,frommid-JunetoLaborDay.Abathhousewithacommunityroom,picnicareawithtables,pavilion,andanADAcompliantdunewalkoverareavailable.
North and South Sandy PondsDistance:Dependsonboater.
Typeofuse:Bothpondsareopentomotorboats.However,onlyunmotorizedcar-topboatsarepermittedtolaunchfromSandyIslandBeach.
BothSouthandNorthSandyPondscanbeaccessedfromtheSandyIslandBeachcar-topboatlaunchsitelocatedonthenarrowchannelconnectingthetwoponds.Fromtheboatlaunch,travelsouthunderthesmallRoute15bridgetoaccessSouthSandyPond.Thesamenarrow,marshychannelwhentakennorthwillleadyoutoNorthSandyPond.Whilebothpondsoffergreatfishingandpaddlingopportunities,SouthSandyPondreceiveslessmotorboattraffic.
Howtogetthere:TakeCountyRoute15westtoSandyIslandBeachStatePark.Immediatelyafterpassingbytheentrancebooth,takearightandparkintheparkingareatotheright.TheboatlaunchislocatedneartheSoutheastcorneroftheparkingarea.Aparkingfeeischarged.
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BetweentheLakeviewandDeerCreekMarshWMAsisSandyPondBeachNaturalArea,arecreationareaandwildlifepreserveownedbytheNYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation.SandyPondBeachismanagedbytheNYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation-Region7.TheFriendsofSandyPondBeachprovidevolunteersupport.
ThisbeachandduneareaislocatedonasmallpeninsulaoflandthatseparatesLakeOntarioandNorthSandyPond.Itisopenforbeachuse,hiking,andbirdwatching.Whileinthearea,pleasecrossthedunesusingonlythedesignatedwalkwayandthedunewalkover.Thereisastring-fencedtrailtoabirdobservationareaontheEastsideofthepeninsula.Avoidthestring-fencedbirdsanctuaryatthenortherntipofthepeninsula,aswellasotherprotectedareas.SandyPondBeachisaccessiblebyboat.Boatscanbelandedintheshallowwatersoffshore.ThebeachpropertybetweenRoute15andtheNaturalAreaisprivatelyowned.
Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area
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Things to do...
Lakeview Wildlife Management Area
LakeviewWildlifeManagementArea(WMA),a3,461-acreareaadjacenttoSouthwickBeachStatePark,ismanagedbytheNYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation-Region6.Thisareahashikingtrails,boatlaunches,huntingandfishingaccess,anobservationtower,twoobservationplatforms,andmuch,muchmore!FishingispermittedbyboatinLakeview’smanypondsandcreeks.HuntingispermittedininlandareasoftheWMAonly.Abird’s-eyeviewofLakeOntario’sdunesandwetlandscanbeseenfromtheobservationtowerlocatedonMontarioPointRoad.
SomeofthemostbeautifulareasinthisWMAcanonlybeseenbyboat.Therearetwodesignatedlaunchesforboatswithmotorslessthan10horsepowerandoneforcar-topboatsonly(seemap).Picnicking,landingofboats,fishingandhuntingarenotallowedalongthenaturalbeachofthisWMA,butareallowedelsewhere.SwimmingandfiresarenotallowedatthisWMA.Alsonotethatdogsmustbekeptonasix‑footleash.
ExploretheareabyfollowingtheLakeOntarioDuneTrailthroughthewetlandsandoverthedunes.YoucanenterthetrailfromSouthwickBeachStateParkorfromthePierrepontPlaceboatlaunch.Adescriptionofthistrailisgivenonpage19.
Duetoitsbirdspeciesdiversityandabundance,thisareawasincludedaspartoftheEasternLakeOntarioMarshesBirdConservationAreabyNewYorkStatein2001.
WhetheryouareinterestedinhuntingorobservingwildlifeseveralgravelroadsandtrailsleadyouintoLakeviewWMA(seemap).Whenexploringtheseroutes,bringalongamapsothatyoudonotwanderontoprivateproperty.
Things to do...
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North and South Colwell PondsDistance:0.9mile(oneway)
Typesofuse:Motorizedandunmotorizedboats
South Sandy Creek Distance:1.9miles(oneway)
Typesofuse:Motorizedandunmotorizedcar-topboats
CattailmarshessurroundthiscreekwhichconnectswithFloodwoodandGoosePonds,SandyCreek,andLakeOntarionearitsWesternend.AsyoupassGoosePondonyourright,you’llseeacolonyofBankSwallowsnestinginthesandduneonyourleft.(Keepyourdistancefromthiscolony--BankSwallowsabandontheirnestswhendisturbed.)TheoutlettoLakeOntarioisjustahead--watchoutforstrongcurrentsandwaveshere!
Howtogetthere:TheSouthSandyCreekboatlaunchcanbefoundontheWestsideofRoute3,justnorthofSouthSandyCreek.AnADAcompliantfishingpierandarestroomarelocatedonthissite.
NorthandSouthColwellPondsareintheSouthernsectionofLakeviewWMA.AboatlaunchontheSouthernshoreofSouthColwellPondreceivesmuchusebybothmotorboatoperatorsandcanoeists.BoatscantravelfromthislaunchsitetoLakeOntarioviatheoutletontheSouthwesterncornerofSouthColwellPond(thischannelisshallowincertainlocations--proceedcautiously).AshortchannelattheNorthwesterncornerofSouthColwellleadstoNorthColwell.Watchforbeaverinthischannel.Earlyinthespring(whentheweedlevelislow),travelingtoSouthSandyCreekissometimespossiblethroughanarrowchannelontheNorthernsideofNorthColwellPond.
Howtogetthere:TakeMontarioPointRoadwest.Go0.7miletothedirtroadontherightwhichleadstotheMontarioPointBoatLaunchonSouthColwellPond.
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South Sandy Creek TrailDistance:0.6mile(oneway)
Typesofuse:Hiking
ThistrailparallelsSouthSandyCreekasitweavesthroughwoodedandwetmeadowsandendsatanobservationdeckoverlookingthebroadexpanseofLakeviewMarshandthedistantsanddunes.Thewoodlandportionofthetrailisagoodplacetolookforwarblers,wrensandothersmallbirdsskitteringabouttheBlackWillowandBoxElder.Theopenmarshishometoavarietyofwaterfowl,marshbirdsandshorebirds.Lookforfrogsandturtlesattwosmallpondsnearthebeginningofthetrail.SouthSandyCreekishometoavarietyoffishincludingpikeandbass,andhasseasonalrunsoftroutandsalmon,makingitapopularfishingstream.Youmayalsospotamuskratorbeavercreatinga“V”shapedwakeinthecreek.
Howtogetthere:TheSouthSandyCreektrailcanbefoundontheWestsideofRoute3,justnorthofSouthSandyCreek.AnADAcompliantfishingpierandarestroomarelocatedonthissite.
Asyouventureintothewetlands,youmaynoticeatall,spikyplantwithsmallpurpleflowersknownasPurpleLoosestrife.ItisnotnativetoNorthAmericabutcameherebyaccidentfromEurasiaintheearly1800sthroughmaritimeandcanaltraffic.Thisplantcompeteswithnativewetlandplants,suchascattails,rushes,andsedges,crowdingthemoutandeliminatingnaturalvegetationandhabitat.Althoughthisplantisbeautifultolookat,pleasedonotpickortransplantitsincethishelpsittospread.
Whyisloosestrifeaproblem?Becauseitdoesn’tprovidegoodnestingmaterial,cover,orfoodforwildlife,unlikenativeplantspecies.Notevenmuskratswilleatit!Theplantsareresistanttodecayandovertimeraisethegroundlevelbytrappingorganicmaterialintheirrootsystems,fillinginthewetland.
Marsh invader!
Purple LoosestrifeLythrumsalicaria
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Meadow Trail Length:Maintrail-1.8miles(entireloop);SidetrailtoSandyCreek-0.3mile(oneway).
Difficulty:Easy
Typeofuse:Hiking
Themeadows,woods,andwetlandsalongthistrailaregreatforbirdwatching!Afterwalkingaroundthegatethatsignalsthestartofthetrail,hikeuntilthetrailendsatanintersectionwithanothertrail.TakingarightwillleadyoutoRoute3;aleftturnwillbringyoutoSandyCreek.OnceonRoute3,takearightandfollowitbacktothedirtroadleadingtotheparkingarea.Thistrailcanbemuddy,sowearapairofboots!
Howtogetthere:DrivedownthegravelroadontheWestsideofRoute3,0.9mileNorthofSouthLandingRoad.Thisroadendsataparkingarea.Parkhereandwalkbackupthegravelroadtothecurveinit.Inthemeadowtoyourleftisametalgate.Thetrailbeginsontheothersideofthis.
Floodwood and Goose Ponds Distance:FloodwoodPond-0.3mileacross;GoosePond-0.5mileacross;MudBrook-1.2miles(oneway).
Typesofuse:Motorized(notrecommended)andunmotorizedcar-topboats
GoosePondisjustsouthofFloodwoodPond.Bothofferpeacefulsettings,perfectforbirdwatching.MudBrook,adead-endchannelstartingattheNortheasterncornerofFloodwoodPond,leadsdeepintotheWMAandoffersspectacularbirdwatching.Thischannelisnotsuitableformotorboatsbecauseofitsshallownessandhighdensityofaquaticvegetation.
Howtogetthere:AccesstoFloodwoodandGoosePondsisbywateronlyviaSandyCreek,SouthSandyCreek,orLakeOntario.
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Lakeview Pond Boat RouteDistance:BoatlaunchtoLakeOntariooutlet-2.5miles(oneway);BoatlaunchtoforkinSandyCreek-2.9miles(oneway).
Typesofuse:Motorized(10hporless)andunmotorizedboats
TravelsouththroughLakeviewPondtoachannelatitsSouthernendwhichleadstoSandyCreek.IfyoufollowSandyCreektotheright(west),youwilleventuallypassFloodwoodPondonyourleftandapproachtheLakeOntariooutletonyourright.Watchforstrongcurrentsandwavesattheoutlet!
Ifyouwouldlikealongerexcursion,followSandyCreekintheoppositedirection(totheeast).ThecreekeventuallyforksintotwobranchesattheboundaryoftheWMA.Theislandbetweenthesebranchesisprivateproperty.
Howtogetthere:AccesstothisrouteisfromthePierrepontPlaceboatlaunchattheendofPierrepontPlace(0.2milenorthoftheintersectionofHessellRoadandRoute3).
Cape or Champlain Beachgrass:What’s the difference and who cares?
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Asyou’vewalkedthebeach,you’veprobablynoticedtheabundanceofbeachgrassonthedunes.Butdidyourealizethatyouwerelookingatanendangeredspecies?ChamplainBeachgrassisaveryrareplantspeciesfoundonlyalongLakeChamplain,theSt.LawrenceRiverandLakeOntario.Until1998,itwasthoughtthatthebeachgrassfoundalongtheEasternLakeOntarioduneswasadifferent,morecommontypeofbeachgrasscalledCape.CapeBeachgrasswasdevelopedfromthewildAmericanBeachgrassonCapeCodandtransplantedtotheEasternLakeOntariodunesforerosioncontroluntilscientistsrealizedtheywereplantinganon-nativespecies.Infact,currentresearchshowsthattheCapeBeachgrassmaybeoverwhelmingthenativeChamplainBeachgrass-actinglikeaninvasiveweed.
Currently,CapeBeachgrassisfoundmixedwiththenativeChamplainspecies,buttellingthetwoapartisdifficult.Theeasiestmethodistowatchforwhenthegrassflowers.IfitflowersfromlateJunetoearlyJuly,it’sChamplainBeachgrass.IfitflowersfromlateJulytoearlySeptemberit’sCapeBeachgrass.Landownerswishingtoplantbeachgrassontheirpropertyshouldcontactoneoftheorganizationslistedatthebackofthisbooklet.
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A touchy subject!
Beonthelook-outforPoisonIvyduringyourvisit!Thisplantgrowsanklehighinthedunes;alongtheedgesofmeadows,trails,creeks,andwoods;andasavineonthetrunksoftrees.
TheappearanceofPoisonIvyvaries.Itsleavescanhaveeithersmoothorjaggededgesandaresometimesshiny.Theyarealwaysarrangedingroupsofthree.Clustersofwhitish‑greenflowersoftenblossominthesummer,followedbydullwhiteberriesinthefall.
Oilfromallpartsoftheplant--leaves,roots,stems,flowers,andberries‑‑cancausearash.Youdon’tevenhavetotouchtheplanttogetone!Touchingclothing,shoes,orevenpetfurthathaspickeduptheplant’soilsmaycausearash.
IfyouthinkyouhavecomeincontactwithPoisonIvy,washyourskinwithcold,soapywatertokeeptheoilfrombeingabsorbed.Ifyougetarash,don’tscratch--thiswillirritateyourskinevenmore.Instead,usecalaminelotiontorelievetheitch.
Poison IvyToxicodendronradicans
North Skinner RoadLength:Road-0.6mile(oneway)
Typesofuse:Hikingandmountainbiking
Thisisaseasonallymaintainedroad,suitableformountainbicyclistsandhikers.Watchcarefullyforwheretheroadends--thereisnolongerabridgeacrossSandyCreek,althoughitsstoneabutmentsremain.AnglersvisitSandyCreekannuallytocatchlargePacificsalmonandfallrundomesticRainbowTrout.Duringthefallyoucanseetheselargefishjumpingupstreamduringtheirspawningmigration.
Howtogetthere:AccessN.SkinnerRoadjustNorthoftheintersectionofHessellRoadandRoute3ontheWestsideofRoute3.
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SpatterdockNupharvariegatum
Broad-leaved ArrowheadSagittarialatifolia
Covered with water!
WouldaSugarMapletreesurviveinthesamewetlandthatcattailsthrivein?Notwithoutthecattail’sspecialrootsystem!Cattailshavespecialairwaysintheirstemswhichenableoxygentotraveldowntotheirroots.Otherplantsthatliveinwateryareasalsohavespecialadaptationsthathelpthemsurvive.
Plantsthathaveonlytheirrootsandpartoftheirstemunderwater,likethecattailandarrowleaf,arecalled“emergent”plants.“Aquatic”plants,suchasthespatterdockandwaterlily,actuallyfloatonthewater,withonlytheupperportionsoftheirleavesandflowersintheair.Otheraquaticplants,suchasthewatermilfoil(identifiedbyitswhorlsoffeatheryleaves),havetheirleavesentirelyunderwater.Bothemergentandaquaticplantsprovideimportantcoverandfoodforinsects,fish,andotherwildlife.
Thebestwaytoviewthesewater-lovingplantsisbyboat.Thecreeksandbrooksthroughoutthedunesandwetlandsareaprovidehabitatformanydifferentspeciesofaquaticandemergentplants.Bringalongafieldguide!
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Southwick Beach State Park
Wanttoswim,picnic,camporwalkalongabeach?ThenSouthwickBeachStateParkiswhereyouwanttobe!Accessiblebycar,this500-acreparkisopenfromearlyMaythroughColumbusDayWeekendfordayandovernightuse.Althoughtheparkisclosedduringthewinter,thenaturetrailandbeachareaccessibleforcross-countryskiingandsnowshoeing.LikemostNewYorkStateParks,anentrancefeeischargedwhentheparkisopen.
SouthwickBeachhaspicnictablesandgrills,aplayground,basketballcourtandfree‑playfield.SwimminginLakeOntarioisallowedduringthesummerwhenlifeguardsareonduty.Thepark,however,doesnothavefacilitiesforboats.Ifyouwishtostayovernight,therearebothtentandtrailercampsitesavailable.Makingreservationsforcampsitesisagoodideaduringthesummerduetothelimitednumberofsites.Tomakecampsitereservations,call1-800-456-CAMPormakeonlinereservationsbyvisitingwww.reserveamerica.com.
Things to do...
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Lake Ontario Dune TrailDifficultylevel:Easy
Distance:Maintrail-2.0miles(entireloop);Shortlooptrail-0.7mile(entireloop);TrailtoLakeviewWMAboatlaunch-0.6mile(oneway).Typeofuse:Hiking
ThistrailtravelsthroughLakeviewWMAandthenloopsbacktoSouthwickBeach.Alongtheway,you’llseemanydifferenthabitats,fromwoodlandstoabandonedappleorchards,meadows,redcedar-mapleforests,marshes,andfinallysanddunes.It’soneofthebestwaystoseethetransitionfromwoodlandtodunehabitat.Adunewalkoveronthetrailenablesyoutocrosstheduneswithoutharmingthem.Aftercrossingthewalkover,takearightturnontothebeachandfollowitbacktoSouthwickBeachStatePark.Aguidebookforthistrailisavailableonrequest.Thistrailcanbemuddysowearboots!
Therearetwosidetrailsoffthemainroute.ThefirstthatappearsonyourleftloopsbacktothemainentranceroadinSouthwickBeachStateParkandisgreatifyouwantashorthike.ThesecondtrailtotheleftleadstotheLakeviewWMAboatlaunch.
Howtogetthere: TakeRoute3totheSouthwickBeachStateParkentranceroad.Thetrailheadisoppositethepark’sentrancebooth.
For the birds!
ManydifferentbirdsliveinLakeOntario’sdunesandwetlands.Whilewalkingalongthebeach,you’llseeHerringGullsandsmallshorebirdssuchasaSpottedSandpiper.IfyoucanoedownoneoftheWMAcreeks,youmaycatchaglimpseofaWoodDuck,anAmericanBittern,ortheuncommonBlackTern.Thelargestork-likeGreatBlueHeronisalsoacommonsightinthemarshes.Woodlandandshrubbyhabitatnearthelaketeamswithwarblers,vireos,andflycatchersduringspringmigrationinMay.Bringalongbinocularsandafieldguide!
Black TernChlidoniasniger
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Thesceneryandwildlifeviewingopportunitiesarespectacularinthis526-acreWildlifeManagementArea(WMA)managedbytheNYSDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation-Region6.HikerswillenjoytheADAcompliantboardwalktrailthatmeandersacrossaSilverMaplewoodland,anopenwatermarsh,andthrough70’tallsanddunesonitswaytoanundevelopedLakeOntariobeach.Deerarecommoninthearea,asareGraySquirrel,Porcupine,RedFox,andCoyote.Duetoitsbirdspeciesdiversityandabundance,thisareawasincludedaspartoftheEasternLakeOntarioMarshesBirdConservationAreabyNewYorkStatein2001.BirdsseenhereincludeGreatBlueHerons,ScarletTanagers,BaldEagles,andalargevarietyofmigratingshorebirds.
Fishermenwillenjoyfishingforbullheadsandpanfishfromthefishingdeckalongthetrail.Huntingandtrappingopportunitiesaboundandareallowedinthewetlandsandinteriorofthisareaduringtheappropriateseasons.Pleaseremembertostayofftheduneswhilepursuingtheseactivities.
SwimmingandfiresarenotallowedatthisWMA.Alsonotethatdogsmustbeonasix‑footleash.
Black Pond Wildlife Management Area
Things to do...
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Black Pond Trail Length:0.47mile(entiretrail)
Difficulty:Easy
Typeofuse:Hiking;Handicapaccessible
Thistrailisawildlifewatchers’delight.Astheraisedboardwalktrailmeandersthroughafloodedmaplewoodland,anopenmarsh,andtoanobservation/fishingdeckonBlackPond,lookfordeer,muskrat,beaver,andmink.GreatBlueHeronscanbeseenwadingalongtheedgeofthepondlookingforfrogsandsmallfish.
Followthesignstothebeachandyouwillpassthroughanoldduneblowoutonyourwaytothespectacularbeach.Uponreachingthebeach,youwillhaveawonderfulviewofLakeOntario,minusshorelinedevelopment.
BeachwalkersshouldkeeptheireyesopenforBaldEaglesandtheoccasionalPeregrineFalcon.TheNorthendofthebeachispartoftheElDoradoNaturePreserveownedbyTheNatureConservancy.Thisisagoodareatoobserveshorebirdsduringmigration.PleasenotethesignontherightasyouenterthePreserve.Itdescribestheareaandliststhespecialuserules.
Howtogetthere:FollowBoltonRoadwesttoitsend.AttheendofBoltonRoadturnleftontoagravelroadway.Followthis0.75miletothetrailheadparkingarea.
Thegreen-and-white-stripedNorthernJack-in-the-pulpitisfoundinwoodlandsofCanadaandtheNortheastU.S.inthespring.Thiswildfloweractuallychangessexasitages.Whenitissmall,theJack-in-the-pulpitisapollen-producingmale.Butasitgetslarger,itbecomesaseed-producingfemale.Ifinjured,theplantcanrevertbacktoitsmaleform.
Jack-in-the-pulpitArisaemaatrorubens
Northern Jack (or is it Jill?) -in-the-pulpit
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El Dorado Nature Preserve
Things to do... Birdwatchingistheactivityofchoiceatthis360-acrepreserve.ElDoradoNaturePreservewasestablishedbyTheNatureConservancy(TNC)in1968,withsupportfrombirders,toprotectavitalrestingandfeedingareaformigratingshorebirdstravelingthousandsofmilesbetweentheArcticandSouthAmerica.Thebirdsfeedondensepopulationsofinsectsandotherinvertebratesthatareattractedtorichbloomsofalgaefoundinshallownearshorepools.Inthespringandfall,migratingsongbirdsalsofindabundantfoodandshelterinbrushyandforestedhabitatsalongtheshore.
Tominimizehumandisturbanceandprovidethebestpossibleviewsofbirds,pleasestayonthetrails,speaksoftly,anddonotcollectordisturbplants,birds,orwildlife.Swimming,camping,fishing,trapping,andmotorvehiclesarenotallowed.DeerhuntingisallowedbyTNCpermitonly(seeinsideofbackcoverforcontactinformation).ElDoradoisopendaylighthoursspringtofall.
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El Dorado Nature Preserve TrailLength:1.3miles(entireloop)
Difficulty:Easy
Typeofuse:Hiking
ThistrailtravelsthroughextensiveareasofRedCedarforestandwet,mixedwoodswhichformabufferzoneforshorebirds,waterbirdsandwaterfowlvisitingtheshorelineofthepreserve.Theforestalsoprovideshabitatformanypasserines,i.e.,perchingbirdssuchaswarblersandsparrows.Afterfollowingthetrailforaboutonehalf-mile,atrailtotherightwilltakeyoutoabirdwatchingblind.Fromthereyoucanviewshorebirdsfeedingontheinsectsandcrustaceanstheyfindinthealgaemats.
Continuesouthonthepathtothehighduneoverlook.FromthisoverlookyoucanviewthedunesofBlackPondWildlifeManagementArea,thetallestdunesintheNortheasternU.S.outsideofCapeCod.AtthispointyoucaneithercontinueacrosstheoutletandfollowthebeachtoBlackPondWMA,orfollowthetrailbehindyoubacktotheElDoradoparkingarea.IfyoudecidetocrosstheBlackPondoutlet,astring-fencedtrailmaybepresent.Ifso,pleasestaywithinthestring-fencingtoreachBlackPondWMA.Awordofwarning:Currentsintheoutletcanbedangerous!
Howtogetthere:TurnwestoffofRoute3ontoCountyRoute152anddrive1.5miles.TurnleftatGrandjeanRoad.Wherethepavementends,taketheleftforkatthe“ElDoradoNaturePreserve”sign.
A marsh leopard?
Whenyouwalkthetrailsinthewildlifemanagementareasduringthespringandsummer,youcan’thelpbutseeNorthernLeopardFrogsjumpingoutofyourway.Spottedlikealeopard,theNorthernLeopardFroglivesonadietofsmallanimalssuchasinsects,spiders,earthwormsandcentipedes.Itusesitsstickytonguetocatchitsprey.
Northern Leopard FrogRanapipiens
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r CommonLoonr Double-crestedCormorantr AmericanBitternr GreatBlueHeronr GreenHeronr Black-crownedNightHeronr TurkeyVulturer CanadaGoosep WoodDuckr Gadwallr AmericanBlackDuckr Mallardr Green-wingedTealr GreaterScaupr White-wingedScoterr CommonGoldeneyer Buffleheadr CommonMerganserr Ospreyr BaldEagler NorthernHarrierr Red-tailedHawkr AmericanKestrelr RuffedGrouser WildTurkeyr SemipalmatedPloverr Killdeerr GreaterYellowlegsr LesserYellowlegsr SolitarySandpiperr Sanderlingr SemipalmatedSandpiperr LeastSandpiperr CommonSniper Bonaparte’sGullr Ring-billedGullr HerringGullr GlaucousGullr GreatBlack-backedGullr CaspianTernr CommonTernr BlackTernr MourningDover GreatHornedOwlr ChimneySwiftr Ruby-throatedHummingbirdr BeltedKingfisherr Red-belliedWoodpeckerr DownyWoodpecker
r HairyWoodpeckerr NorthernFlickerr PileatedWoodpeckerr EasternWood-Peweer LeastFlycatcherr EasternPheober GreatCrestedFlycatcherr EasternKingbirdr Red-eyedVireor BlueJayr AmericanCrowr PurpleMartinr TreeSwallowr BankSwallowr BarnSwallowr Black-cappedChickadeer White-breastedNuthatchr BrownCreeperr HouseWrenr WoodThrushr AmericanRobinr GrayCatbirdr BrownThrasherr CedarWaxwingr YellowWarblerr AmericanRedstartr Ovenbirdr NorthernWaterthrushr MourningWarblerr CommonYellowthroatr ScarletTanagerr EasternTowheer ChippingSparrowr FieldSparrowr SongSparrowr White-throatedSparrowr NorthernCardinalr Rose-breastedGrosbeakr IndigoBuntingr Bobolinkr Red-wingedBlackbirdr EasternMeadowlarkr Brown-headedCowbirdr BaltimoreOrioler PurpleFinchr HouseFinchr AmericanGoldfinchr EveningGrosbeakr HouseSparrow
How many of these birds can you spot during your visit? Use a field guide to help you identify them!
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We hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area!
Formoreduneinformation,visitourdunewebsiteathttp://www.nysgdunes.org
For more information...
Writtenanddesignedby:GillianEarnest,1994NYSeaGrantScholar,and
DianeKuehn,NYSeaGrantCoastalTourismSpecialist2002Revision:MollyThompson,NYSeaGrantDuneEducator
2007Revision:MaryPenney,NYSeaGrantDune/RiverStewardCoordinator
Illustrationsby:MaryBurdette-Watkins
BobMcNamaraDianeKuehn
ChristopherCrocker(frontcover)
Printingexpensespaidby:NewYorkSeaGrant
TheNatureConservancyFriendsofSandyPondBeach
TheJohnBenSnowFoundationTheDepartmentofState
NewYorkSeaGrantSUNYOswegoOswego,NY13126(315)312-3042
NYSDept.ofEnvironmentalConservationRegion6StateOfficeBuilding317WashingtonSt.Watertown,NY13601(315)785-2261
NYSDept.ofEnvironmentalConservationRegion7SalmonRiverFishHatchery2133CountyRoute22Altmar,NY13302(315)298-7467
NYSOfficeofParks,Recreationand HistoricPreservationCentralRegion6105EastSenecaTnpk.Jamesville,NY13078(315)492-1756
NYSOfficeofParks,Recreationand HistoricPreservationThousandIslandsRegionPOBox247AlexandriaBay,NY13607(315)482-2593
TheNatureConservancy269OuderkirkRd.Pulaski,NY13142(315)387-3600
ThisguidebookhasbeenproducedwithassistancefromTheOntarioDuneCoalition,
anorganizationcomprisedofstateandcountyagencyandcommunitygrouprepresentativesdedicatedtoeducatingthepublic
aboutEasternLakeOntario’sdunesandwetlands.
Canada Wild-ryeElymuscanadensis
Champlain BeachgrassAmmophilachamplainensis
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