Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail - Nests Sights (Driving Tour)

A tour of many of the accessible and noteworthy nest sights around Cayuga Lake.

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Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail - Nests Sights (Driving Tour)

Ithaca, New York 14850, United States

Created By: Discover Cayuga Lake

Tour Information

Take a tour of the Osprey Nests and Families around Cayuga Lake!

Since 1990 Ospreys have been settling around the edges of Cayuga Lake. Every year, from March-August, Ospreys return from South America to their nests where they raise a new brood of fledglings which you can easily view. Observing the parents and chicks is a fun and rewarding experience. Get to know Cayuga's Ospreys and help us with our Osprey conservation efforts!

Note: There are 62 nest sites on this trail! It takes 2-3 hours to drive all the way around the lake. There are many beautiful stops you can make along the way, including parks, marinas, wineries and more to create a half or full day tour. When viewing the Osprey we recommend you use your car as a blind in order to avoid disturbing them. Please be mindful of the busy roads when stopping, and avoid trespassing. Gas stations are sparse on the North and West shores of the lake-- check to be sure you have a full tank of gas before embarking on the tour!

This tour was developed by Discover Cayuga Lake, a non-profit organiztion based in Ithaca working to provide ecological education and access to the lake. Learn more about what we do and sign up for one of our Osprey Eco-Cruises (or other weekly cruises) at www.discovercayugalake.org

If you have any questions, feedback or suggestions to improve this tour, please contact discovercayuga@gmail.com.


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What You'll See on the Tour

Come join us for an Osprey Eco-Cruise, May-October! Visit DiscoverCayugaLake.org to book your tour today! 
Treman Marina State Park nest, Ithaca 42.46129, -76.51730 This was the first Osprey nest platform erected in the southern part of the lake. It was built by volunteers with help from NYSEG in 1999 and has been active since 2003. It is usual... Read more
Newman Golf Course nest on Inlet, Ithaca 42.45665, -76.51050 Active since 2016. Nest is best viewed from near the park police station near where the M/V Teal docks at Allen Treman Marine State Park, Ithaca. Book a seat on a Discover Cayuga... Read more
Union Fields nest, Ithaca 42.45021, -76.51369 Active since 2014. Park in the lot near the fieldhouse. Eagles tend to bother this pair in the mornings. The kids playing ball show great interest in the birds and sometimes forget about the g... Read more
Stewart Park (E) Youth Bureau nest, Ithaca 42.46396, -76.50097 Active since 2017. There is plenty of space for parking at Stewart park. Stewart, the male, is an excellent fishermen and provider. You can observe this nest while also having ... Read more
Stewart Park (W) Suspension Bridge nest 42.45830, -76.50605 Active since 2016. There is plenty of space for parking at Stewart park. You can park and walk across the picturesque suspension bridge to get a great view of this nest. ...
Stewart Park lagoon nest, Ithaca 42.46030, -76.50505 There is plenty of space to park at Stewart Park to observe this nest. NYSEG knocked this nest down several times in 2020. It's fate in 2021 remains to be seen.
Cargill nest, 522-62 Portland Point Rd, Lansing 42.53516, -76.53148 Active since 2010. It is in the heart of the salt mine operation—apparently the Osprey pair do not mind the commotion. Park on the side of Portland Point Road to view. Th... Read more
Portland Point Rd. nest #1, middle of Portland Pt. Rd, Lansing 42.52906, -76.52759 This nest has a pair nesting there but they have not bred yet. Pull over on side of road. Becare of the salt trucks.
Portland Point Rd. nest #2, base of road, Lansing 42.52541, -76.52742 This nest has been taken over by a Canada goose in 2021! However, the Ospreys took back the nest, but too late to breed. Park on the side of Portland Point Road and loo... Read more
Portland Point Rd. nest #3, end of road, Lansing 42.52389, -76.52605 This nest is resting on the wires and needs NYSEG to put up a riser to protect the nest. This nest is near a private driveway, please view from the pull off  before the... Read more
Church Hill platform, Lansing in back of churches 42.54174, -76.53996 This nest is easy to spot and you can park your vehicle safely in the parking lot behind the churches. View from the parking lot and stay out of the field to protect the ... Read more
Myers Hill Rd. nest, near #69 Lansing 42.53750, -76.54069 This nest is surounded by a few more trees than some of the other nests on the map. Ospreys generally like to nest on a flat surface that is out in the open so they can keep their e... Read more
Salmon Creek platform, Salt Point Natural Area, Lansing 42.53936, -76.54669 This platform was erected in 2017. Orpheus from the Salt Point nest guards this nest, too.
Salt Point nest, Salt Point Natural Area, Lansing 42.53935, -76.55001 Active since 2013. The pair that lives at this nest have been named Orpheus & Ophelia. If you're interested in getting an even closer look at this pair you can find t... Read more
Milliken Station nest, Cayuga Dr., Lansing 42.60599, -76.61286 This nest became active in 2021! 
Milliken Station Rd. green tanks, off Cayuga Dr., Lansing 42.60322, -76.62374 You can spot this nest at the top of the tank. Older nest.
Triangle utility pole nest, Rt. 90, King Ferry 42.66567, -76.63967 The platform was erected to prevent the Ospreys from nesting on the cell tower across the street, it is currently uninhabited. 
Long Point nest, 1961 Lake Rd, Aurora 42.71269, -76.70566 Safely pull off to the side of the road to get a closer look at this nest. This is a very scenic area. Picnic in Long Point State Park for some of the best panoramic views of Cayuga ... Read more
Cayuga Lake Farm nest, 3625 Route 90, Aurora.  42.79305, -76.70891 View nest from Rt. 90 just north of the private driveway. Please do not trespass.
Millstone Lane nest, Rt. 90, S of Union Springs 42.80128, -76.70538 Pull over carefully to the side of the road to view.
Picket Gate nest, 3862 Rt. 90, Union Springs 42.80511, -76.70384  
Great Gully Farm nest, Union Springs 42.80992, -76.70126 A little ways away from this nest is the Great Gully Waterfall, another beautiful spot to see nearby. Park across the road, at the historical marker for the Cayuga Castle. ...
Rt. 90 x Great Gully Rd, W side, S of Union Springs 41.81190, -76.69929
Hearts & Hands Winery nest Rt. 90, Union Springs 42.82076, -76.69905 Pull over carefully on busy Rt 90 to view. Stay in car if possible.
Frontenac Harbor nest, 21 Basin St, Union Springs 42.84014, -76.69564 This nest is right in the busy harbor!
Union Springs Academy greenhouse nest, Spring St. 42.84562, -76.68170 The nest has been removed by NYSEG several times so the Ospreys build on the utility poles nearby. Hopefully, NYSEG will build a riser for the birds to safely nest on. ...
Water Dept. nest #2, lower, by Rt. 90, Un. Spgs.42.84907, -76.69023 These two nests are right by each other; you can observe both of them at once. The pair switches between the two nests during the season.
Water Dept. nest #1, upper, by buildings, Union. Springs. 42.84896, -76.68953 These two nests are right by each other; you can observe both of them at once.
Rt. 326 & Rt. 90 nest, N of gas station, Union Springs 42.85809, -76.69236 View carefully from side of the busy road.
Backus Rd. nest, north of Union Springs 42.85835, -76.70105 This nest is at the second bend in the road. Keep driving to Hibiscus harbour to see two more nests!
Hibiscus Harbor Marina nest, Backus Rd, Cayuga 42.85612, -76.70455. This nest is resting on wires and needs to be put on a riser by NYSEG. Potential fire hazard.
Hibiscus Point nest, 355 Backus Rd, Cayuga 42.85494, -76.70878 This nest was moved from the utility pole just west of this one when it became a fire hazard.
Kozy Kove pole nest, 5081 N. Kozy Kove Rd, Cayuga 42.86478, -76.70525 Active since 2016
Grandview Farm nest, Cayuga 42.87867, -76.70164 This is one of the oldest nests in the area. Pull over in vacant lot near Fire Road 15.
Gorwydd/Waterside nest, Firelane 18, Cayuga  42.88167, -76.70658 This is one of the older nests in the area. Located down a private driveway. Please do not trespass.
Wayne’s Point nest, Rt. 90, Cayuga 42.89776, -76.71091 Active since 2018
5820 Rt. 90, Cayuga, pole by highway, East side 4 2.89976, -76.71266 Park carefully on the side of the road. View from car if possible.
Davis Point nest, 5923 Davis Pt. Rd./Rt. 90, Cayuga 42.90262, -76.71764 Active since 2014.
6000 Rt. 90, Cayuga, pole by hwy, W side. 42.90873, -76.72323 This is a busy road. Pull to the side carefully.
Harris Park nest, 620 Railroad St., Cayuga 42.91762, -76.72989 Active since 2012, however it does not appear to be active in 2021.
Beacon Mills channel marker nest, Cayuga 42.92222, -76.73117 Active since 2012 This nest is very vulnerable to storms and is blown off frequently. This does not, however, prevent the Ospreys from breeding successfully in this nest. ...
6515 Rt. 90 nest, pole by hwy, W side, N of Cayuga 42.93258, -76.72672
Mud Lock nest on tower, River Rd, N of Cayuga 42.94640, -76.73564 Active since 2012, there is another nest built on the lock itself which was never used. Plenty of parking at the fishing access.
Seneca River Trail nest, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, on pole by river 42.96510, -76.73817 Active intermittenly since 2012. Go into the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and take the Seneca Trail to nest on the river. ...
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #1, E end, tower #4 W of Seneca River 42.96056, -76.74551 This nest is the first to spot, out of 8 nests on the road.  Rt. 5&20 Nests #1-8 are best observed by driving by in your car. Please do not pull off of... Read more
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #2 nest 42.95872, -76.74877 See write up of Rt. 5&20 #1. Active since 1999. This is nest #2 out of the 8 nests highlighted on Rt. 5&20. These nests are best observed by driving by in your car. Please do ... Read more
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #3 nest 42.95782, -76.75044 See write up of Rt. 5&20 #1. Active since 2012. This is nest #3 out of the 8 nests highlighted on Rt. 5&20. These nests are best observed by driving by in your car. Please d... Read more
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #4 nest 42.95426, -76.75701 See write up of Rt. 5&20 #1. Active since 1999. This is nest #4 out of the 8 nests highlighted on Rt. 5&20. These nests are best observed by driving by in your car. Please d... Read more
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #5 nest 42.95325, -76.75862 See write up of Rt. 5&20 #1. Active since 2012. This is nest #5 out of the 8 nests highlighted on Rt. 5&20. These nests are best observed by driving by in your car. Please d... Read more
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #6 nest 42.95246, -76.76033 See write up of Rt. 5&20 #1. Active since 2014. This is nest #6 out of the 8 nests highlighted on Rt. 5&20. These nests are best observed by driving by in your car. Please d... Read more
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #7 nest 42.95145, -76.76190 See write up of Rt. 5&20 #1.  Active since 2018. This is nest #7 out of the 8 nests highlighted on Rt. 5&20. These nests are best observed by driving by in your car. Please... Read more
Osprey Alley Rt. 5&20 #8 nest, west end 42.95042, -76.76398 See write up of Rt. 5&20 #1. Active since 2016. This is the last nest out of the 8 nests highlighted on Rt. 5&20. These nests are best observed by driving by in yo... Read more
Seneca Falls Country Club nest, 2693-2699 Rt. 89 42.89082, -76.75125 Active since 2012 Beautiful view of nest! 
Lower Lake Rd (S end) & Rt. 89 nest, Seneca Falls 42.87977, -76.74608 Active since 2017. 
Parker Rd. nest, 3311 Parker Rd. & Rt. 89, Seneca Falls 42.84851, -76.74679 Active since 2018. 
Sunrise Cove Rd. nest, 4198 Rt. 89, Seneca Falls 42.82089, -76.74756 Active since 2018. 
Knapp Winery nest, 2770 Ernsberger Rd., Romulus 42.76546, -76.77912 Active since 2019 Visit the winery for some refreshments! 
Dean’s Cove nest, 5794-5872 Rt. 89, Romulus 42.74267, -76.76995 Active intermittently since 2014. Park on Road to Dean's Cove.
Morgan Rd, Interlaken 42.65176, -76.70050 Active since 2018. Great views of the lake! 
Taughannock Falls platform, T. Falls SP, Trumansburg 42.54413, -76.59636 Not active yet. Platform is located too close to the trees for ospreys to choose to nest in this location.
Rice Rd. pole nest, W end, N side, Trumansburg 42.54146, -76.62463 Active intermittently since 2016.   Be sure to stop at the Taughannock Falls overlook to view the tallest waterfall East of the Mississippi on your way to view this nest! ... Read more
Hog's Hole/Hangar Theater nest, Ithaca 42.45743, -76.51844 It has a state-of-the-art dogwaste compost pile near it. Active since 2021

 

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