As many of our feathered friends are heading south for the season it is exciting to see new bird flight and feeding patterns. For several years there has been a nesting pair of eagles in the wooded area north of the Cohoes Falls. This fall there is a new nest in a field that can be seen from two distant public locations just west of the hamlet of Vischer Ferry.

As you head west on Riverview Road from Vischer Ferry the road turns in a northerly direction as the traveler passes up the hill toward Sugar Hill Road. As you pass an open field to the left you may spot a new eagle nest in a tree in the middle of the field. This nest is also visible from the Towpath Trail that goes west from the end of Ferry Drive.

Keep and eye and ear open for other birds that remain active. Harvest some of that decorative Asian Bitter Sweet red berries with the yellow shell. Yes, take it home for decoration before it goes to seed. It is quite invasive, so when the holiday season passes throw it in the trash or, better yet, burn it for an early season marshmallow roast in the spring.