Welcome to On Cranberry Pond, the perfect bed & breakfast destination for avid
birdwatchers!
Nestled amidst a picturesque landscape, our property boasts a unique combination of wooded areas, open grass, marshes, and a stunning cranberry bog. With such diverse habitats, our location attracts a rich variety of bird species. Whether you prefer observing from the comfort of your porch or embarking on an adventurous hike through the nearby woods, prepare to be enchanted by the avian wonders that call this place home. Here are just a few of the remarkable birds you may encounter during your stay:
Cardinals: These vibrant red birds are a common sight year-round. Their melodious songs and striking plumage make them a favorite among birdwatchers. They are seen daily on the property.
Blue Jays: With their brilliant blue feathers and distinctive crests, blue jays are hard to miss. They are frequent visitors, often making their presence known with their raucous calls. They are seen daily on the property.
Indigo Bunting: Catch a glimpse of these stunning, deep blue birds during the breeding season. Their appearances are rare but truly breathtaking.
American Goldfinch: Known for their bright yellow plumage, American goldfinches flit gracefully through the fields. They are quite common and can be spotted throughout the year.
Dark-eyed Junco: These small, ground-dwelling sparrows are known for their slate-gray plumage and white bellies. They are abundant during the winter months.
Black-capped Chickadee: These tiny, friendly birds are frequent visitors to feeders. Their distinctive black cap and white cheeks make them easy to identify.
Tufted Titmouse: Recognizable by their dapper crests and inquisitive nature, tufted titmice are year-round residents in our area.
House Wrens: These energetic and vocal birds have a bubbly song that fills the air. They are common in our woodlands and can be spotted hopping among branches and up under the porch.
Red-breasted Nuthatch: Look for these small, tree-climbing birds with their rusty-red bellies. While not as common as their white-breasted counterparts, they occasionally grace us with their presence.
White-breasted Nuthatch: With their distinctive upside-down climbing technique, white-breasted nuthatches are frequently seen exploring tree trunks. They are fairly common.
American Robins: Known for their cheery songs, American robins are a familiar sight throughout the year. Their orange-red breasts make them easy to spot. They are seen daily on the property.
Eastern Bluebird: These charming birds with their vibrant blue plumage and rusty-red chests are becoming increasingly common in our area. They nest in the bird houses around our garden.
Gray Catbird: These elusive birds have a range of songs and vocalizations, often mimicking other bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for their slate-gray coloration.
Northern Mockingbird: Known for their exceptional mimicry skills, these talented singers fill the air with their varied tunes. They are moderately common.
European Starling: While not native to North America, these birds have established themselves in the region. Their glossy black plumage and iridescent sheen are hard to miss.
Red-winged Blackbird: Male red-winged blackbirds sport vibrant red shoulder patches, creating a striking contrast against their black feathers. They are quite common on the lawn and around the feeder.
Common Grackle: With their iridescent plumage and piercing yellow eyes, common grackles are regular visitors to our property. Keep an eye out for their unique calls.
Brown-headed Cowbird: These brood parasites often lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. Keep an eye out for their glossy black feathers and distinctive brown heads.
Baltimore Oriole: Known for their bright orange plumage, Baltimore orioles are migratory birds that grace us with their presence during the summer months. Sightings are moderate.
Mourning Dove: These gentle, cooing birds are commonly seen throughout the year. Their soft, earthy tones and graceful flight are a joy to observe.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: The smallest bird in North America, these hummingbirds are a true delight to witness. Their iridescent green feathers and rapid wingbeats are a typically a rare treat, however they perch in the Japanese Maple tree and visit the feeders on the porch multiple times a day.
Belted Kingfisher: Keep an eye out for these fishers perched on branches near the ponds. Their rattling calls and expert diving skills are fascinating to observe.
Red-tailed Hawk: Majestic and soaring, red-tailed hawks are often seen circling above, scanning the ground for prey. They are fairly common in our area.
Bald Eagle: Spotting a bald eagle soaring high in the sky is an awe-inspiring experience. While they are relatively rare, their presence adds a touch of magnificence to the landscape.
Cooper's Hawk: These agile and skilled hunters are known for their stealthy nature. Keep an eye out for their quick flights through the woods.
Turkey Vulture: Often seen soaring on thermals, turkey vultures play a vital role in the ecosystem as nature's clean-up crew. They are fairly common.
Wild Turkey: These large and impressive birds are a symbol of the wilderness. Keep an eye out for flocks of turkeys roaming through the yard 3-4 times a year.
Downy Woodpecker: Recognizable by their small size and black-and-white plumage, downy woodpeckers are frequent visitors to our trees. They are quite common as there are a plethora of trees in the area and they visit the suet.
Hairy Woodpecker: Similar in appearance to the downy woodpecker, hairy woodpeckers are slightly larger and have a stronger bill. Sightings are moderate.
Red-bellied Woodpecker: Contrary to its name, the red-bellied woodpecker has only a faint red tinge on its belly. Look for their zebra-like patterns on their backs.
Northern Flicker: These large woodpeckers are known for their distinctive "wick-a-wick-a-wick" calls and bright yellow underwings. While sightings are moderate, they are quite common here on the property in flight, in the trees and ground feeding.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Keep an eye out for these unique woodpeckers with their black-and-white plumage and bright red foreheads. They are moderately common.
Eastern Phoebe: These small, insect-eating birds are known for their characteristic tail-wagging behavior. Sightings are fairly common.
Eastern Wood-Pewee: Listen for their soft, melancholic songs emanating from the trees. These small flycatchers are moderately common.
Eastern Kingbird: These bold and assertive birds can be seen perched on high branches, sallying forth to catch flying insects. They are fairly common.
Tree Swallow: With their iridescent blue-green plumage, tree swallows perform acrobatic aerial displays to catch flying insects. Sightings are moderate.
Swans: Keep an eye out for these graceful waterfowl gliding across our ponds and marshes. Swans sightings are fairly rare, but there is a pair that stay in nearby ponds and in winter when there is less open water we've been able to see as many as 6 from the front porch.
Canadian Geese: These large, honking birds are a familiar sight during migration and often form impressive V-shaped formations in the sky. They are quite common.
Sandpipers: During their migratory journeys, sandpipers make brief stopovers on the nearby bogs, which are sandy. Keep a lookout for these small, wading birds.
Great Blue Heron: These statuesque wading birds are commonly spotted stalking prey in the shallows. Their elegant presence adds to the charm of our wetlands. They are a daily presence here and have even been seen hunting rodents on the property edge.
Egrets: In 2022, during a heatwave, we were fortunate to witness the presence of egrets. These majestic white birds with their long, slender necks are a sight to behold, but rarely come this far north.
In addition to the aforementioned birds, our area is also home to various duck species. While their presence may vary throughout the year, common ducks observed in the vicinity include mallards, wood ducks, and hooded mergansers.
For novice birdwatchers, each room includes a copy of
Sibley's Backyard Birds of New England & Norther New York.
Remember, the beauty of birdwatching lies in the element of surprise, and each visit to On Cranberry offers a unique opportunity to encounter these captivating creatures. So grab your binoculars, explore our breathtaking surroundings, and immerse yourself in the wonders of birdwatching paradise.
Make a reservation today.
