As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I have done a project of photographing Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, New York, during all four seasons. I am most interested in bird photography, but the park is so scenic that I’ve also got an extensive collection of landscapes.
I’ve walked the park hundreds of times and visited almost every trail, searching for birds or scenery to photograph. The locations below are those I’ve found to be the best for bird photography.
Rockefeller State Park Preserve Location:
125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570
The Overlook Trail
This trail offers a variety of habitats for birds during all four seasons. While hiking on this trail, I’ve captured woodpeckers, hawks, bluebirds, Cardinals, Baltimore orioles, and even an osprey. In particular, watch the trail on the right side as you walk up the hill from the Brother’s Trail. Also, pay close attention when walking between the park bench on the overlook and the Ash Tree Loop.
Farm to Meadow Trail between Brother’s Path and Ash Tree Loop
I’ve photographed many birds on both sides of this trail. These include hawks, cardinals, bluejays, turkey vultures, cedar waxwings, dark-eyed juncos, and nuthatches. As you walk on the trail from the Ash Tree Loop toward Swan Lake, look at the swampy area on the right as you approach the Brother’s Path. This swampy area seems to appeal to different types of birds during all seasons.
Ash Tree Loop between Farm Meadow Trail and Overlook Trail
This area attracts many birds during the spring and fall migrations. While walking this trail, I’ve seen different types of warblers, finches, grosbeaks, wrens, and more. There are fewer birds here during the summer, and I’ve found the winter particularly quiet, but this trail is still high on my list.
Cantor Alley
I like this trail because it has a big field on one side and a swampy area on the other. This combination attracts many birds, including turkeys, hawks, bluebirds, warblers, wrens, orioles, and towhees. I’ve even seen a northern harrier hunting on both sides of Cantor Alley; during the spring migration, bluebirds and swallows battle for the boxes in the field where they’ll build their nests. You can get great shots as they “negotiate” who gets what.
Maple Loop between Stone Barn and Farm to Meadow Trails
The “corral” on this trail seems to come alive with birds during the spring and fall migrations. I’ve photographed many species, including palm warblers, yellow warblers, house finches, bluejays, orioles, common yellow throats, and more. Also, check the tall trees on this trail for hawks and other raptors.
Douglas Hill Loop from Cantors Alley, then onto Shady Lane
Combined with Cantor Alley, these two trails make a great loop to walk while photographing birds. The higher elevation of Shady Lane helps you spot birds that may not be visible when walking Cantor Alley. The walk up the Douglas Loop hill from Cantor Alley gives you another perspective, too. The birds mentioned in the Cantor Alley overview also apply to these two trails.
Pocantico River Trail between the Stone Bridge and Gory Brook Trail
I often find hawks perched in the high trees along this trail. There’s also a large field that has bluebird houses that are active during the spring migration and nesting season. I’ve photographed many different types of birds, from sparrows to Great Blue Herons, along the Pocantico River, so be sure to watch closely as you’re on this trail.
Visist Rockefeller State Park Preserve And Capture Some Great Pictures of Birds
This blog post highlights my 8 favorite trails for bird photography at Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pleasantville, New York. After hundreds of walks in the park I tell you the trails on which I’ve captured the most bird speceies. From the Overlook Trail and Farm to Meadow Trail to Cantor Alley and the Pocantico River Trail, each spot offers unique habitats that attract a variety of birds, including hawks, bluebirds, orioles, warblers, and more. I highly recommend Rockefeller State Park Preserve as a location to capture great scenery, wildlife, and birds.
