Sand, Wind,& Water

A recreationalguide to eastern

Lake Ontario’sdunes and wetlands

Table of Contents

IntroductionWelcome! 1Activities for you to do 1Getting there 1Protect the dunes and wetlands during your visit! 1Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area map 2

About the dunes and wetlandsWhat are sand dunes? 3Why did the dunes form here? 3Hey, where’s that dune going? 4Why are the dunes important? 4What are wetlands? 5

Public access informationDeer Creek Wildlife Management Area 6Sandy Island Beach County Park 8Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area 9Lakeview Marsh Wildlife Management Area 10Southwick Beach State Park 18Black Pond Wildlife Management Area 20El Dorado Nature Preserve 22

Other informationWhat’s that splash? 4List of plants in the area 5What’s that pile of sticks? 7Marsh invader! 13Cape or Champlain beachgrass 15A touchy subject! 16Covered with water! 17For the birds! 19Northern Jack (or is it Jill?)-in-the-pulpit 21A marsh leopard? 23List of birds in the area 24

Where to get more information 25

This guidebook has been produced with assistance fromThe Ontario Dune Coalition,

an organization comprised of state and county agency andcommunity group representatives dedicated to educating the public

about Lake Ontario’s dunes and wetlands.

Revised 2002

Welcome!

Activities

Getting there

Protect thedunes andwetlands duringyour visit!

The dunes and wetlands in this area areextremely fragile and easily destroyed.During your visit, please:

! stay off the dunes;! picnic only at Southwick Beach or Sandy

Island Beach;! swim only at Southwick Beach or Sandy

Island Beach with a lifeguard;! stay on designated trails and walkways;! take out whatever you bring in;! leave everything you find (except litter);! hunt and fish away from the dunes;! make fires only in designated areas;! camp only at Southwick Beach; and! land boats only in designated areas.

Along Lake Ontario’s eastern shore is a17-mile stretch of sand dunes, wetlands,woodlands, ponds, and creeks known as theEastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area.Reaching from the mouth of the Salmon Rivernorth to the outlet of Black Pond, the areasupports a diversity of plants and wildlife.Seven properties are open to the public foroutdoor recreation: Deer Creek WildlifeManagement Area (WMA), Sandy Island BeachCounty Park, Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area,Lakeview Marsh WMA, Southwick Beach StatePark, Black Pond WMA, and El Dorado NaturePreserve.

Take a walk along the beach in Southwick BeachState Park or swim, picnic, camp, and play ball.If you prefer a more rustic setting, hiking,boating, bird watching, fishing, or hunting in thethree wildlife management areas may be justwhat you’re looking for. The numerous creeksthroughout the area have slight currents,perfect for canoeing.

The Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and WetlandArea is easy to get to by car from Interstate81 and Route 3. The map on page 2 showsparking areas and trails. Access informationfor each property accessible to the public isincluded in this guide. Please respect privateproperty; use only designated public accesspoints.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area

Follow this sign on Route 3if you wish to travel theSeaway Trail, a scenicbyway along New York’sGreat Lakes coast.

What are

Why did the

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The Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area is comprised of six main zones: A- beach; B - foredune; C- trough or swale; D - inland or secondary dune; E - backdune;and F - wetland, pond, or creek. Woodlands and meadows are found inland of thewetland zone. (Illustration courtesy of Bob McNamara.)

FECB DA

sand dunes?

dunes formhere?

Sand dunes are basically long ridges of sand andother sediments piled on the shore by wind andwave action. The sand is held together byplants, such as Champlain and Americanbeachgrass (see illustration on back cover).These plant’s leaves trap sand and theirbranching roots prevent the sand from blowingaway.

The dunes grow as sand is blown onto them andtrapped by plants or snow-fencing, building themhigher and higher. Champlain and Americanbeachgrass are especially important since theycan survive being covered with sand. As thedunes get larger and more stable, plants such aswormwood, eastern cottonwood, poison ivy, andsand dune willow take root and add to thestaying power of the dune.

Another dune may form in front of the older,stable dune and the whole process is thenrepeated. In fact, a series of dunes may formparallel to the shore with the primary dune, orforedune, closest to the lake. The inland dune iscalled the secondary dune.

Off the eastern Lake Ontario coastline is anunderwater sheet of sand that formed thou-sands of years ago, when the shoreline extendedfurther west into the lake. Sand for the dunescomes from this ancient, now-underwater beach.Eventually, a very long time from now, all thesand will be washed ashore.

Hey, where’sthat dune going?

Why are

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What’s that splash?

As you travel through the wetlands of the area, don’t be toosurprised if you see a splash of water next to your boat at onepoint or another. The carp is a familiar sight -- and sound -- inwetlands throughout New York. If you look carefully, you may seethe fin on this fish’s back sticking out of the water in shallowareas. Carp are generally long-lived, with many individuals livingup to 20 years. They are also large, some growing up to 35pounds. A native of Europe and Asia, carp meat is considered adelicacy in many countries.

CarpCyprinus carpo

the dunesimportant?

The sand dunes act as a buffer or barrier,protecting the wetlands and other inland areasfrom the effects of high water, waves andcurrents, as well as severe coastal storms.Without the dunes, property near the coast ofLake Ontario, including homes and farmland,would be damaged by springtime floods, causingserious economic impacts for local inhabitants.Damage to wetlands can lead to loss of habitatfor wildlife and fewer recreational opportuni-ties for people.

Sand dunes are very fragile and easily erodedor worn away. The beachgrass and other plantsholding the dune together are able to survivein the harsh dune environment -- boiling hot inthe summer, freezing cold in the winter, andalways breezy. But step on them, sit on them,or pick them and they don’t survive long. Inplaces where the plants have been destroyed,the sand is loose and easily blown away. A smallfoot path soon becomes a gaping hole in thedune as the wind eats away at it, eroding deepinto the dune. Large holes in the dunes arecalled dune blowouts.

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What are

Which of these plants can you find during yourvisit? Use a field guide to identify them.

Fragrant water-lilyNymphaea odorata

Marsh species: Dune species: Woodland species:" Fragrant water-lily " Wormwood " Mayapple" Spatterdock " Dune willow " Jack-in-the-pulpit" Purple loosestrife " Poison ivy " Green ash" Common cattail " Champlain " Sugar maple" Arrowhead beachgrass " Eastern red cedar" Yellow iris " Beach pea " White birch" Marsh marigold " Cottonwood " Trillium" Duckweed " Wild grape " Jewelweed

wetlands?

“Wetlands” is a collective term meaning marshes,swamps, bogs, and other waterlogged areas.Inland of the dunes of Lake Ontario arelow-lying areas which have formed wetlands withponds and streams. Seasonally-wet areas next tofreshwater rivers are called “riparian” wetlands.Riparian wetlands are found inland of the dunesin all three of the wildlife management areas.

Although originally thought of as uselesswastelands, wetlands are very important naturalresources. Wetlands:1) improve water quality;2) reduce flood and storm damage;3) provide natural habitat for fish, plants,and animals; and4) provide space for recreational opportuni-

ties such as boating and bird watching.

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Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Things to do...

1Wetlands/DuneTrailLength: 0.9 mile (one way)

Difficulty: Easy

Type of use: Hiking

This trail follows an abandoned road, offeringviews of Deer Creek’s wetlands and dunes.After about 0.2 mile, a path to the right cutsover to the beach. Continue on the main trailand you will soon reach an observation platformand a dune walkover to the beach. The observa-tion tower offers a spectacular view of themarsh. From here, the main trail continuessouth through the dunes. Please stay withinthe string fencing until you reach Deer Creek’soutlet. Follow the beach north to return tothe parking area.

How to get there: Take Rainbow Shores Roadwest to the end, and take a left turn. This dirtroad eventually forks. Take the left fork tothe parking area. The trail starts on the otherside of the metal gate.

Deer Creek Marsh WMA is an 1,195-acre areamanaged by the NYS Department of Environ-mental Conservation - Region 7. Take a walkalong the beach, canoe or fish in the wetlands,or hike or hunt in the woods! If you’re anangler, Deer Creek supports healthy northernpike and largemouth bass populations. Enjoyyour visit to this beautiful area, but rememberthat swimming, picnicking, and landing boats arenot allowed except at the outlet.

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Deer CreekDistance: 2.6 miles (one way)

Type of use: Unmotorizedcar-top boats

Deer Creek meanders through cattail marshes,past Wood Duck nesting boxes and muskrat andbeaver lodges, and between the fore andsecondary dunes along the Lake Ontario coast.By traveling between the dune ridges, you get afeel for how the dunes act as a barrier,protecting the wetlands and inland areas fromwind and waves. The creek eventually leads tothe Lake Ontario outlet. Brennan BeachCampground is on the south side of the outlet.Watch for strong currents here. Please landyour boat only at the outlet to prevent erosionof the dunes along the creek.

How to get there: A parking area for DeerCreek’s unmotorized boat launch is on the westside of Route 3, 1.2 miles south of RainbowShores Road. After parking here, a 0.1-mileportage leads you to the creek.

Beaver lodges resembling piles of sticks abound in themany creeks and channels found throughout the duneand wetland area. Beavers build their lodges from thebottom up, using logs, branches, rocks, and mud. Theentrance to each lodge is underwater, which keeps outunwanted guests. Inside the lodge is a dry floor witha bed of twigs, leaves, and grasses. If you see a lodgethat looks like a beaver lodge but is made of cattails,you’ve found a muskrat lodge.

What’s that pile of sticks?

Beaver lodge

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Sandy Island Beach County Park

Things to do... Sparkling blue water and a warm stretch ofbeach welcome you and your family to thisOswego County family attraction. The refresh-ing Lake Ontario water and white sandy beachesprovide hours of enjoyment for the entirefamily. The park is open from Memorial Day toLabor Day, 10 a. m. to sunset. Certifiedlifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.daily, from mid-June to Labor Day. A conces-sion stand, changing areas and bathroomfacilities are available.

3North and SouthSandy PondsDistance: Depends on boater.

Type of use: Both ponds areopen to motorboats. However,only unmotorized car-top boatsare permitted to launch fromSandy Island Beach.

Both South and North Sandy Ponds can beaccessed from the Sandy Island Beach car-topboat launch site located on the narrow channelconnecting the two ponds. From the boat launch,travel south under the small Route 15 bridge toaccess South Sandy Pond. The same narrow,marshy channel when taken north will lead youto North Sandy Pond. While both ponds offergreat fishing and paddling opportunities, SouthSandy Pond receives less motorboat traffic.

How to get there: Take County Route 15 westto Sandy Island Beach County Park. Immediatelyafter passing by the entrance booth, take aright and park in the parking area to the right.The boat launch is located near the southeastcorner of the parking area. A parking fee ischarged.

Between the Lakeview Marsh and Deer CreekMarsh WMAs is Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area,a recreation area and wildlife preserve owned bythe NYS Department of Environmental Conser-vation. Sandy Pond Beach is jointly managed byThe Nature Conservancy and the NYS Depart-ment of Environmental Conservation - Region 7.The Friends of Sandy Pond Beach providevolunteer support.

This beach and dune area is located on a smallpeninsula of land that separates Lake Ontarioand North Sandy Pond. It is open for beach use,hiking, and birdwatching. While in the area,please cross the dunes only on designatedwalkways. Avoid the string-fenced bird sanctu-ary at the northern tip of the peninsula, as wellas other protected areas. There is a stringfenced trail to a bird observation area on theeast side of the peninsula. Sandy Pond Beach isaccessible by boat. Boats can be landed in theshallow waters offshore. The beach propertybetween Route 15 and the natural area isprivately owned.

Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area

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Things to do...

Lakeview Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Lakeview Marsh WMA, a 3,461-acre areaadjacent to Southwick Beach State Park, ismanaged by the NYS Department of Environ-mental Conservation - Region 6. This area hashiking trails, boat launches, hunting and fishingaccess, an observation tower, two observationplatforms, and much, much more! Fishing ispermitted by boat in Lakeview’s many ponds andcreeks. Hunting is permitted in inland areas ofthe WMA only. A bird’s-eye view of LakeOntario’s dunes and wetlands can be seen fromthe observation tower located on MontarioPoint Road.

Some of the most beautiful areas in this WMAcan only be seen by boat. There are twodesignated launches for boats with motors lessthan 10 horsepower and one for car-top boatsonly (see map). Picnicking, landing of boats,fishing and hunting are not allowed along thenatural beach of this WMA, but are allowedelsewhere. Swimming is not allowed anywherein this WMA. Dogs must be kept on a six footleash while on the beach.

Explore the area by following the Lake OntarioDune Trail through the wetlands and over thedunes. You can enter the trail from SouthwickBeach State Park or from the Pierrepont Placeboat launch. A description of this trail is givenon page 19.

If you are interested in hunting, observingwildlife, or a bit more of an adventure, severalgravel roads and trails lead into LakeviewWMA (see map). When exploring these routes,bring along a map so that you do not wanderonto private property.

Things to do...

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4North and SouthColwell PondsDistance: 0.9 mile (one way)

Types of use: Motorized andunmotorized boats

5South Sandy CreekDistance: 1.9 miles (one way)

Types of use: Motorized andunmotorized car-top boats

Cattail marshes surround this creek whichconnects with Floodwood and Goose Ponds,Sandy Creek, and Lake Ontario near itswestern end. As you pass Goose Pond on yourright, you’ll see a colony of Bank Swallowsnesting in the sand dune on your left. (Keepyour distance from this colony -- BankSwallows abandon their nests when disturbed.)The outlet to Lake Ontario is just ahead --watch out for strong currents and waves here!

How to get there: The South Sandy Creekboat launch can be found on the west side ofRoute 3, just north of South Sandy Creek. Ahandicapped-accessible fishing pier andrestroom are located on this site.

North and South Colwell ponds are in thesouthern section of Lakeview Marsh WMA. Aboat launch on the southern shore of SouthColwell Pond receives much use by bothmotorboat operators and canoeists. Boats cantravel from this launch site to Lake Ontariovia the outlet on the southwestern corner ofSouth Colwell Pond (this channel is shallow incertain locations -- proceed cautiously). Ashort channel at the northwestern corner ofSouth Colwell leads to North Colwell. Watchfor beaver in this channel. Early in the spring(when the weed level is low), traveling toSouth Sandy Creek is sometimes possiblethrough a narrow channel on the northern sideof North Colwell Pond.

How to get there: Take Montario Point Roadwest. Go 0.7 mile to the dirt road on the rightwhich leads to the Montario Point Boat Launchon South Colwell Pond.

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6South SandyCreek TrailDistance: 0.6 mile (oneway)

Types of use: Hiking

This trail parallels South Sandy Creek as itweaves through wooded and wet meadows andends at an observation deck overlooking thebroad expanse of Lakeview marsh and thedistant sand dunes. The woodland portion ofthe trail is a good place to look for warblers,wrens and other small birds skittering aboutthe black willow and box elder. The open marshis home to a variety of waterfowl, marsh birdsand shorebirds. Look for frogs and turtles attwo small ponds near the beginning of the trail.South Sandy Creek is home to a variety of fishincluding pike and bass, and has seasonal runs oftrout and salmon, making it a popular fishingstream. You may also spot a muskrat or beavercreating a “V” shaped wake in the creek.

How to get there: The South Sandy Creek trailcan be found on the west side of Route 3, justnorth of South Sandy Creek. A handicapped-accessible fishing pier and restroom arelocated on this site.

As you venture into the wetlands, you maynotice a tall, spiky plant with small purpleflowers known as purple loosestrife. It isnot native to North America but came hereby accident from Eurasia in the early 1800sthrough maritime and canal traffic. Thisplant competes with native wetland plants,such as cattails, rushes, and sedges, crowd-ing them out and eliminating natural vegeta-tion and habitat. Although this plant isbeautiful to look at, please do not pick ortransplant it since this helps it to spread.

Why is loosestrife a problem? Because itdoesn’t provide good nesting material, cover,or food for wildlife, unlike native plantspecies. Not even muskrats will eat it! Theplants are resistant to decay and over timeraise the ground level by trapping organicmaterial in their root systems, filling in thewetland.

Marsh invader!

Purple loosestrifeLythrum salicaria

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8Meadow TrailLength: Main trail - 1.8 miles(entire loop);Side trail to Sandy Creek - 0.3mile (one way).

Difficulty: Easy

Type of use: Hiking

The meadows, woods, and wetlands along thistrail are great for bird watching! Afterwalking around the gate that signals the startof the trail, hike until the trail ends at anintersection with another trail. Taking a rightwill lead you to Route 3; a left turn will bringyou to Sandy Creek. Once on Route 3, take aright and follow it back to the dirt road leadingto the parking area. This trail can be muddy, sowear a pair of boots!

How to get there: Drive down the gravel roadon the west side of Route 3, 0.9 mile north ofSouth Landing Road. This road ends at a parkingarea. Park here and walk back up the gravelroad to the curve in it. In the meadow to yourleft is a metal gate. The trail begins on theother side of this.

7Floodwood andGoose PondsDistance: Floodwood Pond - 0.3mile across;Goose Pond - 0.5 mile across;Mud Brook - 1.2 miles(one way).

Types of use: Motorized (notrecommended) andunmotorized car-top boats

Goose Pond is just south of Floodwood Pond.Both offer peaceful settings, perfect for birdwatching. Mud Brook, a dead-end channelstarting at the northeastern corner ofFloodwood Pond, leads deep into the WMA andoffers spectacular bird watching. This channelis not suitable for motorboats because of itsshallowness and high density of aquatic vegeta-tion.

How to get there: Access to Floodwood andGoose Ponds is by water only via Sandy Creek,South Sandy Creek, or Lake Ontario.

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Lakeview PondBoat RouteDistance: Boat launch to LakeOntario outlet - 2.5 miles (oneway);Boat launch to fork in SandyCreek - 2.9 miles (one way).

Types of use: Motorized (10hp or less) and unmotorizedboats

Travel south through Lakeview Pond to achannel at it’s southern end which leads toSandy Creek. If you follow Sandy Creek to theright (west), you will eventually pass FloodwoodPond on your left and approach the LakeOntario outlet on your right. Watch forstrong currents and waves at the outlet!

If you would like a longer excursion, followSandy Creek in the opposite direction (to theeast). The creek eventually forks into twobranches at the boundary of the WMA. Theisland between these branches is privateproperty.

How to get there: Access to this route is fromthe Pierrepont Place boat launch at the end ofPierrepont Place (0.2 mile north of the inter-section of Hessell Rd. and Route 3).

Cape or Champlain Beachgrass:What’s the difference and who cares?

As you’ve walked the beach, you’ve probably noticed the abundanceof beachgrass on the dunes. But did you realize that you werelooking at an endangered species? Champlain beachgrass is a veryrare plant species found only along Lake Champlain, the St.Lawrence river and Lake Ontario. Until 1998, it was thought thatthe beachgrass found along the E. Lake Ontario dunes was adifferent, more common type of beachgrass called Cape. Capebeachgrass was developed from the wild American beachgrass onCape Cod and transplanted to the E. Lake Ontario dunes forerosion control until scientists realized they were planting a non-native species. In fact, current research shows that the Capebeachgrass may be overwhelming the native Champlain beachgrass -acting like an invasive weed.

Currently, Cape beachgrass is found mixed with the nativeChamplain species, but telling the two apart is difficult. Theeasiest method is to watch for when the grass flowers. If itflowers from late June to early July, it’s Champlain beachgrass. Ifit flowers from late July to early September it’s Cape beachgrass.Landowners wishing to plant beachgrass on their property shouldcontact one of the organizations listed at the back of this booklet.

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A touchy subject!

Be on the look-out for poison ivy duringyour visit! This plant grows ankle high inthe dunes; along the edges of meadows,trails, creeks, and woods; and as a vine upthe trunks of trees.

The appearance of poison ivy varies. Itsleaves can have either smooth or jaggededges and are sometimes shiny. They arealways arranged in groups of three.Clusters of whitish-green flowers oftenblossom in the summer, followed by dullwhite berries in the fall.

Oil from all parts of the plant -- leaves,roots, stems, flowers, and berries -- cancause a rash. You don’t even have to touchthe plant to get one! Touching clothing,shoes, or even pet fur that has picked upthe plant’s oils may cause a rash.

If you think you have come in contact withpoison ivy, wash your skin with cold, soapywater to keep the oil from being absorbed.If you get a rash, don’t scratch -- thiswill irritate your skin even more. Instead,use calamine lotion to relieve the itch.

Poison ivyToxicodendron radicans

North SkinnerRoad and TrailLength: Road - 0.6 mile (oneway);trail - 0.4 mile (one way).

Difficulty: Easy

Types of use: Hiking andmountain biking

This is an unmaintained road, suitable formountain bicyclists and hikers. Watch carefullyfor where the road ends -- there is no longer abridge across Sandy Creek, although its stoneabutments remain. A trail that starts near thebridge abutment travels west along the creekthrough meadows and eventually comes to a deadend.

How to get there: Access N. Skinner Rd. justnorth of the intersection of Hessell Rd. andRoute 3 on the west side of Route 3.

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SpatterdockNuphar variegatum

Broad-leaved arrowheadSagittaria latifolia

Covered with water!

Would a sugar maple tree survive inthe same wetland that cattails thrivein? Not without the cattail’s specialroot system! Cattails have specialairways in their stems which enableoxygen to travel down to their roots.Other plants that live in watery areasalso have special adaptations that helpthem survive.

Plants that have only their roots andpart of their stem under water, likethe cattail and arrowleaf, are called“emergent” plants. “Aquatic” plants,such as the spatterdock and water-lily, actually float on the water, withonly the upper portions of their leavesand flowers in the air. Other aquaticplants, such as the watermilfoil(identified by its whorls of featheryleaves), have their leaves entirelyunderwater. Both emergent andaquatic plants provide important coverand food for insects, fish, and otherwildlife.

The best way to view these water-loving plants is by boat. The creeksand brooks throughout the dune andwetland area provide habitat for manydifferent species of aquatic andemergent plants. Bring along a fieldguide for identifying them!

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Southwick Beach State Park

Want to swim, picnic, camp or walk along abeach? Then Southwick Beach State Park iswhere you want to be! Accessible by car, this500-acre park is open from early May throughColumbus Day Weekend for day and overnightuse. Although the park is closed during thewinter, the nature trail and beach are acces-sible for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.Like most New York State Parks, an entrancefee is charged when the park is open.

Southwick Beach has picnic tables and grills, aplayground, basketball court and free-playfield. Swimming in Lake Ontario is allowedduring the summer when lifeguards are on duty.The park, however, does not have facilities forboats. If you wish to stay overnight, there areboth tent and trailer campsites available.Making reservations for campsites is a goodidea during the summer due to the limitednumber of sites. To make campsite reservations,call 1-800-456-CAMP or make online reserva-tions by visitingwww.reserveamerica.com.

Things to do...

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11Lake OntarioDune TrailDifficulty level: Easy

Distance:Main trail - 2.0 miles (entireloop);Short loop trail - 0.7 mile(entire loop);Trail to Lakeview MarshWMA boat launch - 0.6 mile(one way).

Type of use: Hiking

This trail travels through Lakeview MarshWMA and then loops back to Southwick Beach.Along the way, you’ll see many different habi-tats, from woodlands to abandoned appleorchards, meadows, red cedar - maple forests,marshes, and finally sand dunes. It’s one of thebest ways to see the transition from woodlandto dune habitat. A dune walkover on the trailenables you to cross the dunes without harmingthem. After crossing the walkover, take a rightturn onto the beach and follow it back toSouthwick Beach State Park. A guidebook forthis trail is available on request. This trail canbe muddy so wear boots!

There are two side trails off the main route.The first that appears on your left loops backto the main entrance road in Southwick BeachState Park and is great if you want a shorthike. The second trail to the left leads to theLakeview Marsh WMA boat launch.

How to get there: Take Route 3 to theSouthwick Beach State Park entrance road. Thetrailhead is opposite the park’sentrance booth.

For the birds!

Many different birds live in Lake Ontario’s dunesand wetlands. While walking along the beach, you’llsee Herring Gulls and small shore birds such as aSpotted Sandpiper. If you canoe down one of theWMA creeks, you may catch a glimpse of a WoodDuck, an American Bittern, or the uncommon BlackTern. The large stork-like Great Blue Heron isalso a common sight in the marshes. Woodland andshrubby habitat near the lake teams with war-blers, vireos, and flycatchers during springmigration in May. Bring along binoculars and afield guide!

Black TernChlidonias niger

The scenery and wildlife viewing opportunitiesare spectacular in this 526 acre WildlifeManagement Area managed by the NYS Depart-ment of Environmental Conservation - Region 6.Hikers will enjoy the handicapped accessibleboardwalk trail that meanders across a SilverMaple woodland, an open water marsh, and through70’ tall sand dunes on it’s way to an undevelopedLake Ontario beach. Deer are common in thearea, as are gray squirrel, porcupine, red fox, andcoyote. Due to the excellent bird watchingopportunities, this area was designated anEastern Lake Ontario Marshes Bird ConservationArea by New York State in 2001. Birds seenhere include Great Blue Herons, Scarlet Tana-gers, Bald Eagles, and a large variety of migrat-ing shorebirds.

Fishermen will enjoy fishing for bullheads andpanfish from the fishing deck along the trail.Hunting and trapping opportunities abound andare allowed in the wetlands and interior of thisarea during the appropriate seasons. Pleaseremember to stay off the dunes while pursuingthese activities

Swimming is not allowed here. Dogs must be on asix foot leash when on the beach.

Black Pond Wildlife Management Area

Things to do...

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12Black Pond TrailLength: 0.47 mile (entiretrail)

Difficulty: Easy

Type of use: Hiking;Handicap accessible

This trail is a wildlife watchers delight. Asthe raised boardwalk trail meanders through aflooded maple woodland, an open marsh, and toan observation/fishing deck on Black Pond, lookfor deer, muskrat, beaver, and mink. GreatBlue Herons can be seen wading along the edgeof the pond looking for frogs and small fish.

Follow the signs to the beach and you will passthrough an old dune blowout on your way to thespectacular beach. Upon reaching the beach,you will have a wonderful view of Lake Ontario,minus shoreline development.

Beachwalkers should keep their eyes open forBald Eagles and the occasional PeregrineFalcon. The north end of the beach is part ofthe El Dorado Nature Preserve owned byThe Nature Conservancy. This is a good areato observe shorebirds during migration. Pleasenote the sign on the right as you enter thePreserve. It describes the area and lists thespecial use rules.

How to get there: Follow Bolton Road west toits end. At the end of Bolton Road turn leftonto a gravel roadway. Follow this 0.75 mile tothe trailhead parking area.

The green-and-white-striped NorthernJack- in-the-pulpit is found in woodlandsof Canada and the northeast U.S. in thespring. This wildflower actually changessex as it ages. When it is small, theJack-in-the-pulpit is a pollen-producingmale. But as it gets larger, it becomes aseed-producing female. If injured, theplant can revert back to its male form.

Jack-in-the-pulpitArisaema atrorubens

Northern Jack (or is it Jill?)-in-the-pulpit

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El Dorado Nature Preserve

Things to do... Birdwatching is the activity of choice atthis 360-acre preserve. El Dorado NaturePreserve was established by The NatureConservancy in 1968, with support frombirders, to protect a vital resting andfeeding area for migrating shorebirdstraveling thousands of miles between theArctic and South America. The birds feed ondense populations of insects and otherinvertebrates that are attracted to richblooms of algae found in shallow nearshorepools. In the spring and fall, migratingsongbirds also find abundant food and shelterin brushy and forested habitats along theshore.

To minimize human disturbance and providethe best possible views of birds, please stayon the trails, speak softly, and do not collector disturb plants, birds, or wildlife. Swim-ming, camping, hunting, fishing, trapping, andmotor vehicles are not allowed. El Dorado isopen daylight hours, spring to fall.

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13El Dorado NaturePreserve TrailLength: 1.3 miles (entire loop)

Difficulty: Easy

Type of use: Hiking

This trail travels through extensive areasof red cedar forest and wet, mixed woodswhich form a buffer zone for the shorebirds,water birds and waterfowl visiting theshoreline of the preserve. The forest alsoprovides habitat for many passerines. Afterfollowing the trail for about one half mile, atrail to the right will take you to a birdwatching blind. From there you can viewshorebirds feeding on the insects andcrustaceans they find in the algae mats.

Continue south on the path to the high duneoverlook. From this overlook you can viewthe dunes of Black Pond Wildlife Manage-ment Area, the tallest dunes in the north-eastern U.S. outside of Cape Cod. At thispoint you can either continue across theoutlet and follow the beach to Black PondWMA, or follow the trail behind you back tothe El Dorado parking area. If you decide tocross the Black Pond outlet, a string fencedtrail may be present. If so, please staywithin the string fencing to reach BlackPond WMA. A word of warning: Currents inthe outlet can be dangerous!

How to get there: Turn west off of Route 3onto County Route 152 and drive 1.5 miles.Turn left at Grandjean Road. Where thepavement ends, take the left fork at the“El Dorado Nature Preserve” sign.

A marsh leopard?

When you walk the trails in thewildlife management areas duringthe spring and summer, you can’thelp but see northern leopard frogsjumping out of your way. Spottedlike a leopard, the northern leopardfrog lives on a diet of small animalssuch as insects, spiders, earth-worms and centipedes. It uses itssticky tongue to catch its prey. Northern leopard frog

Rana pipiens

" Common Loon" Double-crested Cormorant" American Bittern" Great Blue Heron" Green Heron" Black-crowned Night Heron" Turkey Vulture" Canada Goose$ Wood Duck" Gadwall" American Black Duck" Mallard" Green-winged Teal" Greater Scaup" White-winged Scoter" Common Goldeneye" Bufflehead" Common Merganser" Osprey" Bald Eagle" Northern Harrier" Red-tailed Hawk" American Kestrel" Ruffed Grouse" Wild Turkey" Semipalmated Plover" Killdeer" Greater Yellowlegs" Lesser Yellowlegs" Solitary Sandpiper" Sanderling" Semipalmated Sandpiper" Least Sandpiper" Common Snipe" Bonaparte’s Gull" Ring-billed Gull" Herring Gull" Glaucous Gull" Great Black-backed Gull" Caspian Tern" Common Tern" Black Tern" Mourning Dove" Great Horned Owl" Chimney Swift" Ruby-throated Hummingbird" Belted Kingfisher" Red-bellied Woodpecker" Downy Woodpecker

" Hairy Woodpecker" Northern Flicker" Pileated Woodpecker" Eastern Wood-Pewee" Least Flycatcher" Eastern Pheobe" Great Crested Flycatcher" Eastern Kingbird" Red-eyed Vireo" Blue Jay" American Crow" Purple Martin" Tree Swallow" Bank Swallow" Barn Swallow" Black-capped Chickadee" White-breasted Nuthatch" Brown Creeper" House Wren" Wood Thrush" American Robin" Gray Catbird" Brown Thrasher" Cedar Waxwing" Yellow Warbler" American Redstart" Ovenbird" Northern Waterthrush" Mourning Warbler" Common Yellowthroat" Scarlet Tanager" Eastern Towhee" Chipping Sparrow" Field Sparrow" Song Sparrow" White-throated Sparrow" Northern Cardinal" Rose-breasted Grosbeak" Indigo Bunting" Bobolink" Red-winged Blackbird" Eastern Meadowlark" Brown-headed Cowbird" Baltimore Oriole" Purple Finch" House Finch" American Goldfinch" Evening Grosbeak" House Sparrow

How many of these birds can you spot during yourvisit? Use a field guide to help you identify them!

We hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to the Eastern LakeOntario Dune and Wetland Area!

For more dune information, visit our dune website athttp://www.nysgdunes.org

For moreinformation...

Written and designed by:Gillian Earnest, 1994 NY Sea Grant Scholar

Diane Kuehn, NY Sea Grant Coastal Tourism Specialist2002 Revision - Molly Thompson, NY Sea Grant Dune Educator

Illustrations by:Mary Burdette-Watkins

Bob McNamaraDiane Kuehn

Christopher Crocker (front cover)

Printing expenses paid by:New York Sea Grant

The Nature ConservancyFriends of Sandy Pond Beach

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Region 7Jefferson County Water Quality Coordinating Committee

Oswego County Water Quality Coordinating CommitteeOnondaga Audubon Society

New York Sea GrantSUNY OswegoOswego, NY 13126(315) 312-3042

NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Region6State Office Building317 Washington St.Watertown, NY 13601(315) 785-2263

NYS Dept. of Environmental ConservationRegion 7Salmon River Fish Hatchery2133 County Route 22Altmar, NY 13302(315) 298-7467

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation andHistoric Preservation

Thousand Islands RegionPO Box 247Alexandria Bay, NY 13607(315) 482-2593

The Nature Conservancy269 Ouderkirk RoadPulaski, NY 13142(315) 387-3600

Canada wild-ryeElymus canadensis

Champlain beachgrassAmmophila champlainensis