Hamilton County Birding Festival Kicks off June 18

June 17, 2010 | Laura 1

Birding bogs in the Adirondacks

You already know I love the Adironacks. And you know the bird watching is great in the Adirondacks. Now let me give you a reason to VISIT the Adirondacks this month BEFORE breeding season wraps up.

In the Southwestern Adirondacks, the 6th Annual Hamilton County Birding Festival kicks off June 18-20 in the towns of Speculator, Lake Pleasant, Piseco and Morehouse, Blue Mountain Lake, Indian Lake, Long Lake, Raquette Lake and Inlet, to name a few. The festival features guided treks through a variety of bird habitats. Click here for a list of birds you might get to see during this festival.

Hamilton County is the third largest and least populated county in New York State.

No wonder excellent birding is found here: 60% of the county is designated Wilderness or Wild Forest area and its mountains approach 4,000 feet. In addition, the county has a million acres of forest, 1,500 miles of rivers and streams and over 56,000 acres of lakes and ponds.

IF YOU GO:

Need lodging? Options include the family friendly Park Motel and Cabins (review) in Tupper Lake and the High Peaks Resort (review) in Lake Placid. You can also rent a cabin at the rustic White Pine Camp near Paul Smiths, one of the historic great camps from the golden age of the Adirondacks. More travel information can be found at visitadirondacks.com. Tell them I sent you.

June is black fly month in the Adirondacks. Coat yourself with repellant or try one of these handmade gnat hats/bug bonnets.

: This hand-made gnat hat is made out of sturdy cotton and can be found at the traditional Old Forge Hardware Store (which is much more than a hardware store) and other places.