Adirondack Birding:
Hulls Falls Road

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Hulls Falls Road is primarily a birding destination. The 2.5 mile country road offers an opportunity to see birds found in wetland, riverside, mixed forest, old fields, and early successional forest. Hulls Falls Road is located in Essex County between Keene and Keene Valley; it intersects with Route 73.

Overview

As with several other birding destinations covered here, this location lacks many of the attributes associated with an ideal spot to appreciate nature.

• There are no trails or interpretive signs. You are birding from a narrow country road bordered by private land which has been posted to prohibit public access, so there is limited opportunity to maneuver in pursuit of a better view of the bird. 
• Depending on atmospheric conditions, bird songs can be muffled by distant road noise from busy Route 73. 

The wide variety of birds found along the road compensates for these drawbacks. Also, although the road is narrow with narrow shoulders, there is very little traffic; and most vehicles appear to be neighbors who tend to drive slowly.

• Many of the warbler species which make their home in the Adirondack Mountains can be found along the road during the summer breeding season, including those frequently seen in the region, such as Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-rumped Warbler and somewhat less commonly-seen warblers, such as the Wilson's Warbler, Pine Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Tennessee Warbler.
• The small beaver pond about half a mile from the intersection with Route 73 provides excellent views of a number of wetland birds, including Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, Belted Kingfisher, Solitary Sandpiper, and several species of duck.
• Northern New York Audubon has been hosting an annual field trip to this location every May. The trip is usually led by John and Pat Thaxton, who own and operate Adirondack Birding Tours. The Thaxtons have been birding Hulls Falls Road for over a decade. Participating in this field trip is a convenient way to get familiar with the birds at this site.

About a mile from the intersection of Hulls Falls Road and Route 71, stop a moment on the bridge to enjoy views of Hulls Falls, a 20-foot waterfall on the East Branch of the Ausable River, and the rapids above the falls.

Birds Seen along the Road

Plants Seen along the Road

Directions to Hulls Falls Road

The bird and wildflower lists were generated from photographs taken in 2018-2022 and eBird checklists submitted by several expert birders who have visited the site repeatedly.