Dafter Driving Loop

Dafter Landfill The dafter landfill, open Monday-Friday, is an excellent location to view gull species (check website for current days and hours of operation). Upon arrival it is required that you check in at the office when you first get there. Sign in and listen to any instructions from the office worker. After checking in at the office, birders are allowed to explore the lower area around the landfill. Birders are not allowed to ascend to the top of the hill on the active landfill site. 

When you are finished birding, make sure to check out at the office before you leave. Many of the gulls can be seen from the on the small hill next to the office. Here gulls tend to rest while not feeding on the active dump site. While most of the birds are herring gulls, keep a sharp eye out for glaucous, Iceland and great black-backed gulls all of which are quite regular here from late December-March. In addition, lesser black-backed gulls are also found here, although with less regularity. 

Note that ring-billed gulls, a common species downstate, are typically absent late December through February here. Look carefully for rarities such as California, Slaty-backed or Franklin's gulls, all which have been spotted here in years past! Who knows what could show up here! In addition to gulls you may find a massive congregation of bald eagles. Birders will delight in the sight of 10 to 80+ eagles feeding at the active dump site and roosting on the tree line around the landfill. Hundreds of ravens and crows are mixed into the fray. 

The setting may not be the most pleasant, but the birding is great! Be on the lookout for snowy owls during winter along your drive. Irruptions often push birds down into this area and they can be seen hunting while perched on hay bales, fence posts or rooftops. Fruiting trees along the driving route may sport Bohemian waxwings and pine grosbeaks. While driving along open agriculture land, you may be able to spot a sharp-tailed grouse. Remember to be courteous while birding in residential areas (try not to point binoculars at private residences) and not to block driveways, or venture onto private property without permission.