Our winter getaway this year took us to upstate New York for a mix of snowmobiling, birding, and classic Adirondack scenery. From below‑zero mornings to cozy lodge evenings, this trip blended adventure and birding in a way only the North Country can deliver.
Winter Weekend in the Adirondacks
We checked into the White Lakes Lodges in Forestport and were surprised with an upgrade to the master suite, which featured two stories, a full kitchen, and a living room with a fireplace. A big thank you to Greg for that! We rented snowmobiles right on the property and enjoyed a thrilling tour of the Tug Hill plateau and the Booneville area. We highly recommend this region for a snowmobiling vacation; the trails are expertly maintained, and the businesses truly cater to the sport. It’s an excellent way to try it out before you buy your own sled.
A Lifer Snowy Owl
Saturday morning, we headed out to bird near Lowville. Our target was a Snowy Owl that had been posted on eBird near the wind turbines. We checked every pole along the road, and suddenly, we saw something in the distance. Success! We had found our lifer, Snowy Owl.
North Country Winter Roads
Next, we went to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake for some winter birding and snowshoeing. This is definitely not as easy as some people make it look! Another stop was a visit to the Winter Carnival in Saranac Lake. This year’s stunning annual ice sculpture was a beautiful replica of the Hotel Saranac.
Back in Old Forge, we had dinner at Tony Harper’s Pizza & Clam Shack, a fun snowmobile hangout with good food and beer. The following day, we took a snowmobile trail through the woods to Old Forge. During lunch, we read an article about a local bird bander, Gary Lee, and decided to look him up.
Redpolls at Gary Lee’s Feeders
Sunday morning, we drove through heavy snow to get to Gary Lee’s place. Luckily, we were able to follow a snowplow most of the way and saw more snowplows than cars on the road. Gary, a retired NYS forest ranger, is incredibly knowledgeable about wildlife and the Adirondacks. He is also an experienced birder with his own banding operation. Gary and his wife, Karen, welcomed us into their home. We stayed warm and cozy while enjoying great views of their feeders through the picture windows. We saw a Hoary Redpoll (a life bird for us—for now, as it may be lumped with the Common Redpoll!). Additionally, there were over 50 Common Redpolls, two species of woodpeckers, and a flock of Black-capped Chickadees. We’re so grateful to Gary for the experience!
It was a whirlwind winter weekend filled with snowmobiling, great food, and unforgettable birding moments. From our lifer Snowy Owl and Hoary Redpoll, the Adirondacks delivered everything we hoped for and more. With our year list climbing, we headed back to Tampa tired, happy, and already thinking about the next adventure.
Trip Totals: 7 species • 7 year birds • 2 life birds
2015 Totals: 102 year birds • 4 life birds
Next up: Miami Boat Show and Birding — A weekend of boats, beaches, and South Florida specialties.
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