Fuertes Bird Sanctuary and Overlook

The Cayuga Bird Club has a history of protecting and creating bird habitat in Stewart Park. In 1927, the Club funded the construction of the Fuertes Bird Sanctuary, a pond encircled by shrubs and trees, found in the northwestern corner of the Park at the junction of Fall Creek and Cayuga Lake. In 1934, they added the elegant stone outcropping, Fuertes Overlook, for ease of pond observation. Both features were dedicated to Louis A. Fuertes, a former Cayuga Bird Club president, after his death in 1927.

During the summers of 2016 and 2017, this swan pond overlook was restored through efforts organized by Friends of Stewart Park. Stones were reset or replaced, new mortar was applied, handrails were installed, and the historic bluestone walk was set back in place. Echoing the spirit of the pond, Friends of Stewart Park planted gardens of native bird and pollinator-friendly species on both sides of the overlook. This restoration work was funded by the Schaeffer Foundation, the Triad Foundation and the Cayuga Bird Club. In 2022, exterior damage to the overlook was repaired thanks to a $20,000 grant from the estate of Dr. Tapan Mitra, who loved birding in Stewart Park.

Take a moment to step out onto the historic Fuertes Overlook and explore the mulched path winding around the bird sanctuary. This pathway is a well known birding hotspot for viewing red-bellied woodpeckers, scarlet tanagers, great-horned owls and migrating warblers.