Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area and Braddock Bay Park

Location - Six miles west of Rochester in the Town of Greece,  Monroe County Maps - Google Map, Google Earth, Bird's Eye GPS - N 43.29917 / W 77.71627 (park entrance) N 43.31875 / W 77.72589 (Owl Woods parking lot/trailhead) Directions - To get to the Braddock Park,  take the Lake Ontario Parkway and head north on East Manitou Rd. Or use Google Directions. To get to Owl Woods and the Braddock Bay Raptor Research Banding Station, take the Lake Ontario Parkway and turn north onto Manitou Beach Rd. The parking lot and trailhead is just north of the Parkway exit. Or use Google Directions.

Description The Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) encompasses over 2,500 acres of state-owned and town-leased land surrounding numerous ponds, marshes and, of course, Braddock Bay. To be precise, besides surrounding Braddock Bay the WMA also surrounds Buck Pond, the southern ends of Cranberry and Long Pond. It also includes Rose Marsh and portions of Salmon and Buttonwood Creeks. These highly productive waters and marshlands offer excellent nesting and feeding opportunities for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, owls and songbirds. Over 310 different bird species have been identified here, including more than 130 species of song birds and 23 of raptors. Spring (primarily the months of March and April) brings hundreds of thousands of migrating birds, as well as numerous onlookers, in what is considered one of the premier bird-watching events in the country: the Spring Hawk Watch. Research organizations and volunteers report viewings of visiting raptors, including Peregrine Falcons, Swainson's Hawks, and Swallow-tail Kites. The adjacent wooded areas fill with migrating Owls, such as the Great Horned and the Northern Saw-whet. The cattail marshes that line the lakeside pond and Braddock bay are crammed with various waterfowl and songbirds. Rare species can be found, such as the Black Tern, Sandhill Crane, American White Pelican, Cave Swallow, Sage Thrasher, and more. You may not be able to see all of the varieties of birds here, but you will certainly be able to hear a lot of them. The bay is popular with boaters and fishermen in the summer months. Sometimes it will get pretty crowded. Some boaters will ignorantly stir things up with excessive speed. There is a public boat launch on the east side of the bay if you want to experience it from the water. Some say that being on the bay offers the best sighting opportunities. Although not as exciting as spring, the fall migration brings most migrating species back. This is a great time to spot waterfowl near the shore. On the east side of Braddock Bay, off of East Manitou Rd, is a 440 acre municipal park maintained by the Town of Greece. In addition to the typical town park amenities, you will find a sturdy boardwalk leading into the cattail marsh along the bay, as well as an observation platform and learning center. The park is very well kept, but can get loud when there are parties at the lodge. The park also features a fully-equipped public boat launch and small dock (in addition to the adjacent marinas), but in recent years usage has dwindled. A natural sandbar has been closing off access to Lake Ontario from the bay, not unlike the larger, permanent bars that isolate the nearby Cranberry, Long and Buck Ponds. In the past, the Town of Greece, as well as private marinas have covered the cost of dredging, but no one seems to be able to afford it anymore. The boating business, as well as the housing market surrounding the bay is struggling. It remains to be seen how the formation of a permanent sandbar on the bay will affect the wildlife within.

History The WMA was once owned by the Office of Parks and Recreation and handed over to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)  in 1982. Some land remained in a lease to the Town of Greece. The DEC has made an agreement to assist the town with environmental management of the leased land.

Accessibility Seasons/Hours: Year round. Best time to visit: The spring and fall migrations. Waterfowl are best spotted in mid to late March. Hawk migration peaks in late April. The best time for songbirds is mid-May. Owls are best spotted March through April. Time: The town park is "officially" open from 9 am to 10 pm. The rest of the WMA is open 24/7. Parking: Parking is ample within the town park or boat launch site. Parking for Owl Woods is located across from the trailhead on Manitou Beach Rd. Admission: Free. Handicap accessibility: yes. Pets: yes, on leash, with proof of inoculation. Not allowed on the observation platform, boardwalk, or in the lodge. Accommodations: Enclosed lodge (with kitchen), pavilions, restrooms, observation platform, picnic tables, grills, playground, educational signage, hiking trails, fishing, some hunting, hand and trailer boat launch, marina. Reserve a pavilion online here.

Trails - easy Map: Cranberry Pond Nature Trail (PDF) Markings - some signage Between the ponds and marshes The Cranberry Pond Nature Trail. This 3.8 mile trail meanders through wooded areas, across roads, and touches upon wetland habitats. The hike here is mild, with ample opportunity to spot birds, muskrats, beavers and more. When we hiked there in 2007, the trails were overgrown and muddy, but still worth the hike. Be sure to pick up a trail guide at the kiosk near the park restrooms. A network of dirt trails extends through Owl Woods and Rose Marsh on the western end of the WMA. Here the trails loop around and branch out in various directions (usually towards pine trees that owls frequent). Although the main trails are generally clear and without incline, they do get awful muddy in the spring. A trail heading directly north will lead to a secluded strip of beach along the lake.

Do not miss... The view from neighboring businesses can often be better than those from the park. The eateries surrounding the WMA can be a great place to grab a bite to eat while you getting a better view. Numerous marinas bars and shops can also be helpful. Get close to the sandbar. Follow Manitou Beach Rd north until it curves to the right and ends just after a large house. Park and follow the trail down the peninsula to shore. This location offers both an excellent vantage point for sunrises over the lake and a closer look at waterfowl. The Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, northwest of the bay, is a small patch of land and a lab facility owned by the Genesee Land Trust and run as an independent not-for-profit. The station is dedicated to ornithological research, education and conservation. The banding, counting and record keeping done at this station helps to understand migratory behavior. The observatory offers a variety of educational programs. Map. Braddock Bay Raptor Research is an organization, founded in 1986, that is "working towards preserving the area's natural resources by focusing research and educational activities on the spectacular raptor migration." the organization features education programs for the public, special events, volunteer opportunities, raptor banding station, owl migration trail, and a blind that is open to the public.

Contact Contact the Town of Greece through their website. Phone: (585) 225-2000 Braddock Bay Raptor Reasearch 43 Overland Trail West Henrietta, NY 14586 Phone: (585) 267-5483 e-mail DEC Region 8 6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd. Avon, NY 14414-9519 Phone: (585) 226-2466 e-mail