Esopus Meadows, in the Town of Esopus, is a shallow underwater shelf of the Hudson River offshore of Lighthouse Park and Esopus Meadows Preserve. Emergent river vegetation nurtures insects, small fish, and other food species that attract wading birds, waterfowl, and swallows during migration. In winter, look for ducks, Bald Eagles and Great Cormorants. The adjacent forest is a 100 acre Scenic Hudson preserve. It is a magnet for warblers and other passerines migrating along the river. Summer nesters include Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Scarlet Tanager. Five species of woodpeckers remain all year. A marked trail map is available at www.scenichudson.org/parks/esopusmeadows.
Directions: From US 9W in Port Ewen or Ulster Park, turn east onto River Road. Park at the Esopus Meadows Preserve at 275 River Road or the adjacent Lighthouse Park.
Latitude, Longitude: 41°52’07″N, 73°57’05″W
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