Shore Acres spans nearly 46 acres and 1,800 feet of Lake Champlain shoreline. The property includes diverse ecosystems—wetlands, grasslands, and shoreline—that attract a wide variety of wildlife, especially birds.

Wildlife sightings often include foxes, red squirrels, and other mammals, but our most celebrated residents are avian: Purple Martins. Known for their dazzling aerial acrobatics, they delight both guests and staff. Other regulars include American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Gray Catbirds, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-winged Blackbirds, Cooper’s Hawks, House Sparrows, and the occasional Snowy Owl.

Along our expansive shoreline, waterfowl and shorebirds thrive. Great Blue Herons patiently hunt, while Common Mergansers, Loons, Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, Belted Kingfishers, Canada Geese, Bald Eagles, and Ospreys make frequent appearances. Just across Route 2, an Osprey family returns each year to raise their young, often perching on the entrance utility pole or soaring above our waters.

Bring your binoculars and cameras to spend time exploring the Shore Acres property and view the wildlife it has to offer. And while you are at it, spend a weekend at our Inn to tour local areas known for their birding and wildlife, such as North Hero’s Pelot’s Natural Area and the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

Thanks to all who attended the first Birding Extravaganza at Shore Acres in 2024!  It was a great success!  We were blessed by not only fabulous weather but by the birds as well.  To name a few showings, we had Baltimore Orioles, a Bald Eagle, Ospreys, Great Blue Herons, and King Birds, just to name a few.  And let’s not forget about the spectacular Great Blue Heron Rookery. We hope to hold another birding event with Chip Darmstadt during the Fall migration in late-September or early-October as well.  Check back here to view the eBird Checklist along with more pictures within the next couple of weeks.