Fire Island - Watch Hill

New York · Northeast

ChallengingView on eBird Directions

Habitat

Coastal

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Fire Island - Watch Hill is a productive birding destination in New York, with 222 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.

Location

Loading map...

Notable Species

Sanderling Brown Pelican Osprey Royal Tern Willet

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra

7/20/2026Prestons Pond Complex1 observed

Blue Grosbeak

Passerina caerulea

7/20/2026Prestons Pond Complex1 observed

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

7/19/2026Captree SP1 observed

Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

7/18/2026Paumanok Trail (Jones Pond)2 observed

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

7/18/2026Fire Island--Watch Hill2 observed

Least Bittern

Botaurus exilis

7/18/2026Wertheim NWR--Lower Carman's River1 observed

American Coot

Fulica americana

7/17/2026Patchogue Lake1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Mallard

87/18/2026

Mourning Dove

67/18/2026

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

17/18/2026

Clapper Rail

17/18/2026

American Oystercatcher

47/18/2026

Killdeer

27/18/2026

Short-billed Dowitcher

757/18/2026

Spotted Sandpiper

27/18/2026

Lesser Yellowlegs

17/18/2026

Willet

357/18/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

57/18/2026

Sanderling

147/18/2026

Least Sandpiper

107/18/2026

Semipalmated Sandpiper

157/18/2026

Laughing Gull

607/18/2026

American Herring Gull

47/18/2026

Great Black-backed Gull

27/18/2026

Lesser Black-backed Gull

77/18/2026

Least Tern

27/18/2026

Common Tern

307/18/2026

Birding Tips

1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in New York

Central Park

Manhattan's surprising migrant trap with 280+ species in the heart of NYC.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

NYC's premier shorebird and waterfowl refuge with 330+ species recorded.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Finger Lakes wetland refuge with massive waterfowl concentrations during migration.

New York Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in New York →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Fire Island - Watch Hill for birding?▼

The best months to visit Fire Island - Watch Hill for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Fire Island - Watch Hill?▼

Notable species at Fire Island - Watch Hill include Sanderling, Brown Pelican, Osprey, Royal Tern, Willet. The area supports coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at Fire Island - Watch Hill?▼

Birding at Fire Island - Watch Hill is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.

What amenities are available at Fire Island - Watch Hill?▼

Fire Island - Watch Hill offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.