Birding Spots a Short Drive from Brandon

Mount Independence

Take Rt. 73 west from Brandon to Orwell, cross 22A and proceed to Mt. Independence Historic Site/State Park. There is a park entry fee of $5.00. Hike the various trails of the Revolutionary War historic site. Google Map

Birds: Good for spring and fall migration: warblers, tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, woodpeckers, Grouse, waterfowl, Bald Eagle.

West Rutland Marsh

Take Rt. 7 south from Brandon to Pittsford; bear right on Rt. 3 to Proctor. Continue to Rt. 4 intersection and turn right at the light. Continue west to West Rutland. Turn right on Marble St. In about 1.2 miles you will pass Water St.; a boardwalk is just beyond, on the left. Park there and bird the marsh from the boardwalk and road.

If you listen carefully, you may hear the Least Bittern. This is one of the few places in Vermont the Least Bittern can be found reliably in season.

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Birds: A variety of marsh birds including the Virginia Rail, Least and American Bitterns, vireos, thrushes, and sparrows.

Pomainville Wildlife Management Area

This site is a combination of weedy grassland and floodplain/river basin. Take Rt. 7 south for approx. 5 miles and, coming down hill, turn right into the parking area. Follow the trail to the berm and, depending on time of year, access the pond to the west. Otherwise continue to the left and follow the trail to the next pond. Watch for waterfowl and other species in the trees along the way.

Birds: Sparrows, bobolinks, gnatcatchers, orioles, grosbeaks, woodpeckers. Late fall can have Nelson’s Sparrow, a bird of tall grasses; with persistence you may find it. 

Cadwell Trail, Pittsford

Take Rt. 7 south from Brandon to Pittsford (~8 miles). As you approach the sharp left at Kamuda’s Country Store, bear straight onto Elm St. Continue approx. 2 miles to Cooley covered bridge and park there. The Cadwell Trail does a 2.4 mile loop from this point, through fields and meadows, partly along Furnace Brook and Otter Creek.

Birds: Woodpeckers, warblers, thrushes, sparrows, Indigo Bunting