Monticello WWTP photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Clay Hill Road is a side road in the town of Monticello that leads form down town through a rural sub division dotted with oak and juniper, several family farms, and mostly private property, until you reach the towns waste water treatment ponds on the east end.  The drive is less than 2 miles from end to end and can be done in a couple minutes--the ponds are the main reason to visit this area for birds.

Birding:
If you look in eBird you'll notice the month of April has a pretty good data set from this location--I have been here almost every week of the month over the years and never leave town without driving this road to see whats at the ponds on the east end.  I have never found anything really noteworthy, but there are some usual suspects.  Waterfowl are usually a target here, and amongst the CANADA GEESE and MALLARD there have been GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, CINAMON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP and RUDDY DUCK here.  EARED GREBE round out the waterbirds.  TURKEY VULTURE are almost always seen in the ravine leading out of town here, while GOLDEN EAGLE and COOPER'S HAWK have been observed too.  SAY'S PHOEBE are typically present, while HAIRY and DOWNY WOODPECKER have both been found.  WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BEWICK'S WREN and WESTERN BLUEBIRD are worth mentioning. And both COMMON RAVEN and AMERICAN CROW are often seen here. Over 50 species have been seen here in just a handful of trips by various birders.  It's one of those easy to make side stops when birding in the area, and I highly recommend it.

Directions:
From the intersection of Main and Center in Monticello head south on Main Street for .3 miles. Turn left onto 300 South and go .4 miles. Take the slight right and you are on Clay Hill Road which continues 1.3 miles where you can stay left and drive 100 yards to the water treatment ponds.