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