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| RIVERHEAD SOD FIELD (click for Google Map) A triangle-like area formed by Northville Turnpike, Route 105 and Sound Avenue. Sound Avenue, especially, is a heavily used area and can be scary traffic-wise. There are no shoulders and cars are flying by, so be careful and pull up on the side as far as possible. Route 105 has the widest shoulders and the least amount of traffic. On the east side of Northville is a golf course and housing development, so it is no longer productive. Look on the west side of the road, instead. (click for Google Map) When in this area, check the wires for migrating kestrels. Although their population numbers are greatly reduced, one or two still may be hunting these edges and fields. Another little “quickie” spot worth checking out is a small pond on Penny’s Road. Just east of the intersection of Northville & Sound Avenue, the next available left turn (north) is Penny's Road. On the right (east) there is a pond, and a horse sign marks the spot. No shoulder is available, so park carefully as this is the major access to the huge oil storage facility and big trucks use the road. Waders and ducks can be present here. (click for Google Map) |
| CUTCHOGUE SOD FIELDS North of Route 48 lie several fields of note. These fields are bracketed by Alvah’s Lane on the west, to Bridge Lane on the east, Oregon Road to the north and Route 48 on the south. Once most farm fields, the acres have yielded to sod and wine grapes. Oregon Road can also be good for some sparrows, warblers and Bob Whtie. On the north side of Oregon Road, between Cox Lane and Bridge, are still some weedy fields worth a scan. The side roads, Alvah’s, Cox, Depot and Bridge are not as heavily traveled as other roads, but as always use care. Directions: A little less than 2 miles from the stop light in Mattituck at Wickham Road when coming from the west. (click for Google Map) From the east, turn right at the stop light in Cutchogue at Cox Lane. (click for Google Map) |
| NORTH FORK SOD FARMS Birding on the North Fork with Jody 7th in the occassional series of places to bird, as Jody wanders the North Fork in search of birds! |
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| The sod fields that dot the North Fork can be good for at least a “drive by birding” and during migration can easily be incorporated into one’s birding adventure. There are three spots with road-side access available for viewing, although the Riverhead site can probably take top billing here. Usually one will see Black-bellied Plovers and Killdeer, although occasionally a few other species can also be present, even an unusual vagrant.
Please remember that these fields are private property, so mind your manners and use a good spotting scope. Also note that occasionally these fields are dug up and conditions are subject to change. Birds often seen on these fields: Black-bellied Plover Killdeer Semipalmated Plover Least Sandpiper Baird Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper (rare) American Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover (rare) Tundra Swan |
| SOUTHOLD SOD FIELDS:
On Route 25 (Main Road) between Peconic and Southold, at the corner on the south side of Route 25 and Wells Road. A slow ride down Wells is the best way to view these fields. Sometimes a small depression close to the roadside fills up with rain water. There is a road side area on the east side of Wells that can be scanned as well. Directions: Approximately ½ mile from Southold Town Police Station coming from the west. Approximately .2 mile from Osprey Dominion Winery when coming from the east. (click for Google Map) |
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| Black-bellied Plover |
| Killdeer |
| Semipalmated Plover |