Visitng the Site
- Birders typically enter the Barrens from the northern side (off Scotia Rd) and drive slowly along Scotia Range Road, stopping at the numerous parking lots to get out and bird. Scotia Pond (see map) is one of the most productive areas in the Barrens and is located close to the entance. There is a gate across Scotia Range Rd that is closed outside of hunting season and prevents people from driving straight through the Barrens. This is a popular state gamelands and therefor is often full of hunters during the hunting seasons (peak is October-December).
Seasons
- Spring and summer is a good time to find some uncommon species that call this early successional habitat home. The crown jewel of breeding birds here are Golden-winged Warblers which can be found all along the road in appropraite habitat. Beware of hybirds with Blue-winged Warblers, heard only birds are best left unidentified. Both cuckoo species, Prairie Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, and Yellow-breasted Chat are some of the other sought after breeding species found here. Nocturnal birding can also be exceptional during the spring and summer. There is an incredible density of Eastern Whip-poor-will along the road and the shotgun range is a great spot to watch American Woodcock display.
- In the fall, the Barrens is arguably the best place in the state for warbler migration. The best time is early in the morning in areas where the rising sun first hits exposed treelines (such as at the research shed, see map). Huge mixed flocks can be encountered anywhere along the road, listen for chickadees and warblers will often be in tow. Connecticut Warblers are the most prized migration finds and can ocassionally be turned up in goldenrod thickets. Apart from warblers, Lincoln's Sparrows and Philadelphia Vireos are sought after species that can be found here with regularity.
Visitng the Site
- Birders typically enter the Barrens from the northern side (off Scotia Rd) and drive slowly along Scotia Range Road, stopping at the numerous parking lots to get out and bird. Scotia Pond (see map) is one of the most productive areas in the Barrens and is located close to the entance. There is a gate across Scotia Range Rd that is closed outside of hunting season and prevents people from driving straight through the Barrens. This is a popular state gamelands and therefor is often full of hunters during the hunting seasons (peak is October-December).
Seasons
- Spring and summer is a good time to find some uncommon species that call this early successional habitat home. The crown jewel of breeding birds here are Golden-winged Warblers which can be found all along the road in appropraite habitat. Beware of hybirds with Blue-winged Warblers, heard only birds are best left unidentified. Both cuckoo species, Prairie Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, and Yellow-breasted Chat are some of the other sought after breeding species found here. Nocturnal birding can also be exceptional during the spring and summer. There is an incredible density of Eastern Whip-poor-will along the road and the shotgun range is a great spot to watch American Woodcock display.
- In the fall, the Barrens is arguably the best place in the state for warbler migration. The best time is early in the morning in areas where the rising sun first hits exposed treelines (such as at the research shed, see map). Huge mixed flocks can be encountered anywhere along the road, listen for chickadees and warblers will often be in tow. Connecticut Warblers are the most prized migration finds and can ocassionally be turned up in goldenrod thickets. Apart from warblers, Lincoln's Sparrows and Philadelphia Vireos are sought after species that can be found here with regularity.
Visitng the Site
- Birders typically enter the Barrens from the northern side (off Scotia Rd) and drive slowly along Scotia Range Road, stopping at the numerous parking lots to get out and bird. Scotia Pond (see map) is one of the most productive areas in the Barrens and is located close to the entance. There is a gate across Scotia Range Rd that is closed outside of hunting season and prevents people from driving straight through the Barrens. This is a popular state gamelands and therefor is often full of hunters during the hunting seasons (peak is October-December).
Seasons
- Spring and summer is a good time to find some uncommon species that call this early successional habitat home. The crown jewel of breeding birds here are Golden-winged Warblers which can be found all along the road in appropraite habitat. Beware of hybirds with Blue-winged Warblers, heard only birds are best left unidentified. Both cuckoo species, Prairie Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, and Yellow-breasted Chat are some of the other sought after breeding species found here.
- In the fall, the Barrens is arguably the best place in the state for warbler migration. The best time is early in the morning in areas where the rising sun first hits exposed treelines (such as at the research shed, see map). Huge mixed flocks can be encountered anywhere along the road, listen for chickadees and warblers will often be in tow. Connecticut Warblers are the most prized migration finds and can ocassionally be turned up in goldenrod thickets. Apart from warblers, Lincoln's Sparrows and Philadelphia Vireos are sought after species that can be found here with regularity.
Visitng the Site
- Birders typically enter the Barrens from the northern side (off Scotia Rd) and drive slowly along Scotia Range Road, stopping at the numerous parking lots to get out and bird. Scotia Pond (see map) is one of the most productive areas in the Barrens and is located close to the entance. There is a gate across Scotia Range Rd that is closed outside of hunting season and prevents people from driving straight through the Barrens. This is a popular state gamelands and therefor is often full of hunters during the hunting seasons (peak is October-December).
Seasons
- Spring and summer is a good time to find some uncommon species that call this early successional habitat home. The crown jewel of breeding birds here are Golden-winged Warblers which can be found all along the road in appropraite habitat. Beware of hybirds with Blue-winged Warblers, heard only birds are best left unidentified. Both cuckoo species, Prairie Warbler, Ruffed Grouse, and Yellow-breasted Chat are some of the other sought after breeding species found here.
- In the fall, the Barrens is arguably the best place in the state for warbler migration. The best time is early in the morning in areas where the rising sun first hits exposed treelines (such as at the research shed, see map). Huge mixed flocks can be encountered anywhere along the road, listen for chickadees and warblers will often be in tow. Connecticut Warblers are the most prized migration finds and can ocassionally be turned up in goldenrod thickets. Apart from warblers, Lincoln's Sparrows and Philadelphia Vireos are sought after species that can be found here with regularity.
