A birdwatcher's paradise

Lenoir Preserve is a 40-acre nature preserve comprising of woodlands and field habitats. It is adjacent to the Old Croton Aqueduct on slopes overlooking the Hudson River, providing spectacular views.

The property was formerly home to two Hudson River estates and boasts a number of unusual specimen trees and shrubs imported from around the world. Among them are some magnificent copper beeches from Europe, gingko trees from Asia and Douglas Firs from the Pacific Northwest. These imports join native sugar maples, red oaks, hemlocks, pines and tulip trees in providing shelter for many kinds of wildlife including woodpeckers, owls and bats.

Every spring and autumn, bird watchers gather to observe major hawk migrations. Nature enthusiasts can learn about raptor identification markings, such as flight patterns and silhouettes, and can take part in official tracking counts of raptors.

In summer, the butterfly garden is at its height, visited by a wide variety of butterflies. Nearby, a dragonfly pond provides the necessary habitat for numerous aquatic insects and attracts birds and other wildlife. The butterfly and hummingbird garden is maintained entirely by volunteers from Hudson River Audubon Society.

Admission and Fees: County park pass is not required for admission

Nature Center Hours: September to June,Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; July and August, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trails are open every day dawn to dusk.