The Breeding Birds Of Otselic

The New York State Breeding Bird Survey

During the years 1981 through 1986, the State of New York was surveyed for breeding bird species. The entire state of New York was divided into about 1300 squares, 10 x 10 km. in area, each further subdivided into four 5km blocks. Each block was surveyed for breeding species. This was the first breeding bird survey in New York history. The results were published in a book, The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State.
Here in Otselic, our natural habitats are intact and available for birdlife. It is the diversity of habitats that attracts the great numbers of nesting birds here every Spring. The following list of birds were proven to breed at least once in Otselic since 1980. Breeding behavior was observed during breeding season for each species in proper breeding habitat.
Three categories of breeding were used :
1.Confirmed - eggs, young. 2. Probable - Pair in proper habitat exhibiting courtship or nesting behavior. 3.Possible - Birds in proper habitat during proper season but no other evidence. 4. This list will add Suspect- Birds showing other evidence suggestive of breeding.

  • Pied-Billed Grebe-Single occurrence in large pond
  • Canada Goose-
  • American Black Duck-Remote beaver ponds,rare
  • Mallard
  • Wood Duck-Hollow trees, nest boxes
  • Blue-Winged Teal-South Otselic Fish Hatchery
  • Common Merganser-Rare, along river in hollow trees or may make nest, secretive
  • Hooded Merganser-Near ponds in hollow tree or birdbox
  • Great Blue Heron-Hilltop colonies not near water
  • Green Backed Heron-near water
  • Sora-single area-Large open beaver marsh
  • Killdeer-Open gravel area, flat gravel roofs
  • American Woodcock-Wet brushy areas, often along streams
  • Common Snipe-Wet open areas
  • Spotted Sandpiper- Along streams or ponds
  • Wild Turkey
  • Ruffed Grouse
  • Ring-Necked Pheasant
  • Sharp-Shinned Hawk-Rare, in thick conifers
  • Coopers Hawk-Very rare, in extensive woods
  • Northern Goshawk-Remote areas in extensive forest
  • Northern Harrier-Rare, in extensive open fields, usually high areas
  • Red-Tailed Hawk-Open farmland interspersed with woodlots
  • Broad-Winged Hawk-Extensive forest
  • American Kestrel-Hollow trees, nest boxes in open areas
  • Saw-Whet Owl *
  • Screech Owl-Hollow tree or birdbox
  • Great Horned Owl-Does not build nest, uses hawk or crow's nest
  • Barred Owl-Extensive forest, usually high elevations
  • Mourning Dove-usually conifer
  • Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
  • Black-Billed Cuckoo
  • Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
  • Belted Kingfisher-Hole in cut bank or gravel pit
  • Red-Headed Woodpecker
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • Common Flicker
  • Red-Bellied Woodpecker-Single occurrence
  • Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Eastern Kingbird
  • Great Crested Flycatcher-Hollow tree or nest box
  • Eastern Pewee-Hardwoods
  • Eastern Phoebe-Open areas, nests often on buildings, porches
  • Least Flycatcher
  • Willow Flycatcher
  • Alder Flycatcher
  • Horned Lark-Open fields, early, often still snow
  • Cliff Swallow-Limited to one or two barns, mud nest outside under eaves
  • Barn Swallow
  • Tree Swallow-Hole on tree or nest box
  • Rough-Winged Swallow-Solitary breeder in hole in bank or gravel; pit
  • Bank Swallow-Banks in sand or gravel pits, always large colonies breed together
  • Chimney Swift
  • American Crow
  • Blue Jay
  • Black-Capped Chickadee-Hole in soft rotten tree, nest box
  • White-Breasted Nuthatch-
  • Red-Breasted Nuthatch-Hole,usually in Red Pine
  • Brown Creeper
  • House Wren-Nest box, hole in tree, any crevice
  • Winter Wren-Ravines, wet areas, conifers, hardwoods, always cool and shady
  • Golden-Crowned Kinglet-Usually in Spruce
  • Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher-One area along Otselic River, brushy low area
  • Brown Thrasher-Open brushy pasture
  • Gray Catbird
  • Eastern Bluebird-Hole in tree or nest box
  • American Robin
  • Swainsons Thrush-Limited to high elevations with northern conditions
  • Hermit Thrush-High elevations, usually with mixed conifers
  • Wood Thrush-Hardwoods
  • Veery-Wet woods, usually low areas
  • Cedar Waxwing-Edges, usually along river
  • Red-Eyed Vireo-Hardwoods
  • Warbling Vireo-Large shade trees, often Roadside trees
  • Yellow-Throated Vireo-Often near Water
  • Solitary Vireo-Coniferous forest
  • Black-Throated Green Warbler-Mixed forest
  • Black-and-White Warbler-Harwoods
  • Black-Throated Blue Warbler-Hardwoods
  • Magnolia Warbler_Conifers
  • Yellow-Rumped Warbler-Conifers
  • Canada Warbler-Moist ravines in heavy forest
  • Chestnut-Sided Warbler-Open woods, edges, brushy areas
  • Blackburnian Warbler-Conifers, mixed woods
  • American Redstart-Hardwoods
  • Prairie Warbler- Old open fields with scattered young conifers
  • Blue-Winged Warbler-Edges of fields, overgown open pasture
  • Yellow Warbler-Common in open brushy areas often near houses
  • Golden-Winged Warbler-Edges of fields, overgrown open pasture
  • Nashville Warbler-Conifers
  • Mourning Warbler-Hardwoods
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Northern Waterthrush-Hardwood or hemlock swamp, dark or well shaded
  • Louisiana Waterthrush-Ravines and gorges with running water,mountain brooks
  • Ovenbird -Very common call in hardwood forest, seldom seen
  • Red-Winged Blackbird-Fields, open marsh, wet areas
  • Brown-headed Cowbird-Lays eggs in nests of other birds and leaves
  • Common Grackle
  • Bobolink-Open meadows
  • Eastern Meadowlark-Open fields
  • European Starling-Holes in trees or buildings
  • Baltimore Oriole-Large shade trees
  • Scarlet Tanager-Hardwood forest
  • House Sparrow-Holes in trees, buildings, birdboxes, sometimes large grass nest
  • Northern Junco-High areas in coniferous forest, road cuts
  • Red Crossbill-Breeder in years of heavy Pine or Spruce cones, may breed in Winter
  • White-Winged Crossbill-Erratic breeder in heavy cone years in Spruce
  • House Finch- Long Island escape native to California is spreading, around houses
  • Purple Finch-Conifers
  • Evening Grosbeak-A few may stay and breed after invasion years
  • American Goldfinch- Old fields in tall weeds, favors thistle for food, nest material
  • Pine Siskin-Nomadic breeder usually found with Crossbills in heavy cone years
  • Indigo Bunting-Large hardwoods in semi-open areas
  • Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
  • Rufous-Sided Towhee
  • White-Throated Sparrow
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • Field Sparrow-Pasture with some brush, small trees
  • Swamp Sparrow-Cattails
  • Grasshopper Sparrow-Rare in old uncut fields
  • Song Sparrow
  • Vesper Sparrow-High areas in large open fields
  • Savannah Sparrow-rich meadows
    Otselic Bird list click hereComplete bird list


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