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Outta the box WNY daytrips
Wild WNY: On the wing, in the water, and from the ground up
By Elizabeth Licata and Sally Cunningham; Gooseneck photos by Jack Maeder, Canadaway photos by Alberto Rey
Increasingly, architecture and art are what visitors expect to be shown when they come to Western New York, but aside from the Falls, the region’s natural beauties too often get short shrift. It is not necessary to travel even an hour to be completely surrounded by wilderness, including rare species of plants and animals as well as lovely trails and vistas.
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Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary
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Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary
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Anyone wanting to convince out-of-town guests that Buffalo is much more than grit, rust, chicken wings, and snow can do it with short drives to Cheektowaga and Lackawanna. By delving into two of our most industrial neighborhoods, a canny tour guide can show off some of our most beautiful natural treasures. And it can be done easily in an afternoon, or even before a late lunch. Two other preserves lie an hour or so south of the city and are well worth special excursions.
Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary
It’s a little known secret that WNY has the only waterfowl park in the U.S. that is open to the public. Rosemary and Milton Miner started in 1983 by rescuing two ducks, and today this not-for-profit is dedicated to education and the care of 300 geese, ducks, and swans. Many are rare and endangered species. The property is four acres, including the two largest covered aviaries in the world. (The birds can fly but cannot leave their protected world.) Some of the species protected are ne-ne geese (endangered species from Hawaii), whistler swans (with 8-foot wing spans), red-breasted geese (from Siberia—the prettiest geese in the world), and Pacific elder ducks from Alaska.
When you tour there you’ll see species of waterfowl you’ve never seen before, hand-feed the geese, see singing and dancing swans, and walk around four beautifully landscaped, wheelchair accessible ponds. There is also an educational slide show and guided tour available. Families can enjoy a parrot show and a puppet show, and of course there is a gift shop.
Gooseneck Hill is open Sundays, 2 to 5 p.m., from July 1 through August 24. A festive fundraiser takes place the last Sunday in August. Group tours are welcome by appointment.
5067 Townline Road, Delevan, 942-6835, rosebird@localnet.com, www.gooseneckhillwaterfowlfarm.com
Reinstein Woods
Reinstein Woods, located in the middle of Depew, is a state-run preserve whose most striking feature is its centrally located lily pond. There are 292 acres of trails, where you’ll see blue herons, woodpeckers, rare ferns, fungi, and wildflowers. Those interested in a guided experience can sign up for special walks where experts will talk about mature forests, exotic plants, interesting fungi, even birds and flowers in the moonlight.
93 Honorine Drive, Depew, 683-5959, www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html
Tifft Nature Preserve
Western New York’s other urban oasis is even more dramatically surrounded by the detritus of industry; abandoned grain elevators and empty warehouses are visible in the distance from many vantage points within Tifft Nature Preserve, providing dramatic contrast to the 265 acres of wooded trails, wildflowers, and large cattail marsh—which is the highlight of any visit here. The focus at Tifft is on bird-watching; viewing blinds are provided along the boardwalks so you can see the shorebirds, flycatchers, and warblers without them seeing you. It’s fun to wander around Tifft even if you don’t birdwatch, but keep in mind that this is an official Important Bird Area, designated as such by the National Audubon Society.
1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard Buffalo, 825-639, www.sciencebuff.org/tifft-nature-preserve
Canadaway
When you think you’ve seen it all in terms of Western New York’s wild places, it’s time to drive to the lovely Canadaway region near Fredonia, where two preserves focus on the bird and fish habitats provided by the Canadaway Creek. The largest, the Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area, is located on a 2,180-acre tract of land that protects the headwaters. Its dense hardwood forest provides the nesting areas for a large variety of birds including the yellow-bellied sapsucker and the great blue heron. For fly fishermen, Canadaway Creek is steelhead central; studies have shown that anglers on this and nearby Chautauqua Creek catch twenty times as many steelhead trout as are caught on the nationally famous Salmon River. Fly fishermen come to Chautauqua from all over the U.S. and Canada just to try these waters. The Canadaway preserve between the towns of Arkwright and Gerry features waterfalls, creeks, ponds, woodlands, and well-marked trails. Those wishing to learn more about this lovely area and help preserve it can attend a clean-up on 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13, which starts at the gazebo behind the Fredonia Fire Hall (in Fredonia) with a cook-out and informational session. After that, attendees will move out and begin clean-up and willow-planting. Lunch, New Era caps, and a t-shirt are provided. It’s organized by the S.A.R.E.P. Youth Fly Fishing Program, and the contact is SUNY professor Alberto Rey, 679-7002.
Elizabeth Licata is editor of Buffalo Spree. Sally Cunningham is a certified nursery and landscape professional and author.
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