Cattleman Road runs north-south through the middle of Swoope connecting Hewitt Rd and Glebe School Rd. It takes you through mostly agricultural fields and pastures. It’s an easy drive with not too much traffic. On the north end it crosses the Middle River, which is a good place to stop and search for Willow Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler, and Eastern Phoebe. In summer the fields can yield breeders such as Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, and Bobolink. In the winter keep your eyes open for Northern Harriers hunting the fields as well as American Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk. Several Loggerhead Shrike have also been found here in recent years in winter. Near Trimbles Mill Road is a stand of deciduous trees that often hold Red-headed Woodpecker. On the north end is also Smithleigh Lake just on the west side of the road on private property. This lake can’t be viewed from Cattleman Rd but can be partially viewed from above on North Mountain Road. Keep a watch for the resident pair of Bald Eagles that have nested near here for at least the past 6 years.
eBird Hotspot: Cattleman Road
—Vic Laubach