Lake birding habitat

Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake)

New York · Northeast

Habitat
Lake
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake) is a productive birding destination in New York, with 259 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Brant, Canada Goose, and Gadwall among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.

Location

Loading map...

Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Bobolink

Dolichonyx oryzivorus

6/3/2026Piermont Pier--Art Rittenberg Ball Field & Ferry Road to Scheffold Memorial1 observed

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana

6/3/2026Piermont Pier1 observed

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

6/2/2026Marshlands Conservancy3 observed

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus

6/2/2026Siscowit Reservoir (Westchester Co.)7 observed

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

6/2/2026home 11 observed

Boat-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus major

6/2/2026Marshlands Conservancy2 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

6/2/2026Inwood Hill Park1 observed

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

6/1/2026Inwood Hill Park1 observed

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

6/1/2026Inwood Hill Park1 observed

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

6/1/2026Marshlands Conservancy3 observed

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

6/1/2026Pelham Bay Park--Southern Meadow and environs1 observed

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

6/1/2026Pugsley Creek Park1 observed

Fox Sparrow

Passerella iliaca

6/1/2026Marshlands Conservancy1 observed

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

6/1/2026Uplands Farm Sanctuary1 observed

Brant

Branta bernicla

6/1/2026Piermont Pier1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

46/3/2026

Mourning Dove

16/3/2026

American Herring Gull

96/3/2026

Forster's Tern

26/3/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

86/3/2026

Black-crowned Night Heron

26/3/2026

Snowy Egret

26/3/2026

Great Egret

56/3/2026

Osprey

66/3/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

16/3/2026

Northern Flicker

16/3/2026

Willow Flycatcher

16/3/2026

Great Crested Flycatcher

16/3/2026

Eastern Warbling Vireo

36/3/2026

Fish Crow

46/3/2026

Tree Swallow

36/3/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

16/3/2026

Barn Swallow

46/3/2026

Northern House Wren

26/3/2026

European Starling

196/3/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake) for birding?
The best months to visit Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake) for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake)?
Notable species at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake) include Brant, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, American Black Duck. The area supports lake habitats.
How difficult is birding at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake)?
Birding at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake) is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake)?
Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary & Rye Playland (incl. Playland Lake) offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Visitor Center.