The birding is so great in New York, it often spills over into Vermont! Just across the Champlain Bridge, visit Chimney Point to get a water's edge view of the lake and its incredible bird species.

Birding

Chimney Point State Historic Site in Vermont sits on the Vermont side of the Champlain Bridge. It offers much the same birding opportunities as the New York side of the bridge, but from a different vantage point.

In late fall and winter look for common ducks such as Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, and Greater and Lesser scaup. Rare species of ducks such as Barrow’s Goldeneye, Redhead, and Canvasback are sometimes mixed in.

Chimney Point offers better views than the New York side sites when ice is forming around the bridge and pushing ducks north into the open water of the lake. Birders should park in the earthen parking lot and walk under the span of the bridge to a small grassy (or snowy!) area next to the span where they can scope the birds.