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| Moore’s Woods is a surprising little place, a split personality kind of place, if you will. On one hand an urban park with it’s occasional menacing youth and paint ball games, ATVs, partiers, homeless wanderers, deer-jackers; and on the other hand an oasis for rare plants, dwindling animals and birds. It is a place respected by some and trashed, literally, by others. And yet, in spite of the above, it is one of my favorite spots for birding, especially during migration. The woods house some of the oldest trees on the North Fork, a stream that moves slowly through, a small weedy field, berry bushes, brambles & laurel shrubs. |
| Sandwiched between Route 25 (Main Road) and Route 48 (North Road) the woods can be noisy with sounds of cars, trucks & motorcycles; especially on weekends. It is the Village of Greenport’s only nature spot accessible to the public. The woods abut ball fields, a skate-board park and the grounds that host the annual carnival & circus events. The Village water tower is there, as well as the power facilities and sewage plant, which can be a real bird magnet! Also, the area just east of the treatment pools, where the Village deposits tree brush, can be alive with birds! The insects abound, attracting flycatchers and warblers. There are several dead trees which are restaurants for the four species of woodpeckers usually found there. Birds of prey use the tallest of these snags as perching/observation posts and launching pads. It is a resting and feeding station for the migrants and a vital nesting place for breeders. And in winter the resident birds find sanctuary. In short, Moore’s Woods is a four season establishment – open all year round! |
| Although riddled with various deer trails and paths made by kids, I usually stay on the larger main paths because sighting is easier. And though I have never picked up a tick there, the main path lessens the risk. During rainy times the place can be quite wet, especially off the main trails. During breeding season, Moore’s Woods is also a site of nesting surveys and mist netting. It is a place of wonderful possibilities! This is a great place to be during migration. The hot spot is the area just west of the water tower; late afternoon will find the place hopping with flycatchers, sparrows and warblers. This area is a dump-site for town-collected brush and can get “stinky” at times, but also attracts insects, which attracts birds! There are also several tall snags loved by woodpeckers and launching sites for the flycatchers & some warblers. The surrounding low shrubs are habitat for other warblers, wrens and many common species. |
| A small trail leading west ends at the sewage pools. During migration a few varieties of shorebirds have been seen; Spotted Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, Yellowlegs. Also geese and Wood Ducks are often floating in the south pool. The hedgerows ringing the pools, a tangle with Virginia creeper vines, wild grapes and rosehips, are often good spots for birds as well. On the south edge there is an overhanging tree worth a look…great spot for Cedar Waxwings. The area surrounding the sewage plant is not part of Moore’s Woods. Though not necessarily open to the public, I’ve never been barred or told to leave. So please, behave yourselves and never interfer with the workings of the plant. And don’t go swimming in the pools! |
| The entrance on the north side, off of Route 48, can be good for warblers, vireos, wrens and cardinals. The adjacent weedy field is habitat for goldfinch and sparrows. I’ve even seen Great Horned Owls in that general area along the main path as it bends to the east, and have even seen a Golden-winged warbler in that area. During spring & summer you can find nesting Wood Thrush, various warblers, woodpeckers, Red-winged Blackbirds. Also, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks hunt these woods through-out the year. |
| There is no main parking lot for Moore’s Woods, but three basic places to park can be found. (1) On Route 25 (Main Road) directly across from Silvermere Road, (2) on the side of the road along Route 48 (North Road) near a field just east of Queen Street and past some private houses, (3) behind the ball field (Polo Grounds) on Moore’s Lane between Route 48 & Route 25. Click here for Google Map So, if you are seeking a place to bird on the North Fork, I highly recommend Moore’s Woods as on of your destinations. Great place, great birds! Good Birding, Jody |
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| MOORE'S WOODS GREENPORT Birding on the North Fork with Jody |
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