Urban Park birding habitat

Jacob Riis Park

New York · Northeast

Habitat
Urban Park
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Jacob Riis Park is a productive birding destination in New York, with 261 species recorded on eBird. This urban park habitat attracts Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, and American Herring Gull among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.

Location

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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

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

7/17/2026College Point Wetlands (formerly Flushing Airport)2 observed

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

7/17/2026Plumb Beach2 observed

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

7/17/2026Sandy Hook--Spermaceti Cove area2 observed

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

7/17/2026Canarsie Beach Park1 observed

Ruff

Calidris pugnax

7/17/2026Jones Beach SP--West End1 observed

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

7/17/2026Brooklyn Botanic Garden1 observed

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

7/17/2026Central Park--The Ravine (incl. The Loch)1 observed

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

7/17/2026Plumb Beach2 observed

Short-billed Dowitcher (griseus)

Limnodromus griseus

7/17/2026Plumb Beach16 observed

Sora

Porzana carolina

7/16/2026Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--East Pond, south end1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Lesser Black-backed Gull

27/12/2026

Royal Tern

17/12/2026

Rock Pigeon

157/12/2026

American Oystercatcher

87/12/2026

Laughing Gull

407/12/2026

Ring-billed Gull

307/12/2026

American Herring Gull

607/12/2026

Great Black-backed Gull

67/12/2026

Black Skimmer

37/12/2026

Least Tern

27/12/2026

Common Tern

207/12/2026

Roseate Tern

17/12/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

67/12/2026

Osprey

27/12/2026

Barn Swallow

17/12/2026

House Sparrow

17/12/2026

Black Scoter

27/5/2026

European Starling

17/4/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Visit at dawn for peak songbird activity before crowds arrive.

  2. 2

    Check flowering trees and berry-producing shrubs for seasonal migrants.

  3. 3

    Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Jacob Riis Park for birding?
The best months to visit Jacob Riis Park for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Jacob Riis Park?
Notable species at Jacob Riis Park include Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, American Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Horned Lark. The area supports urban park habitats.
How difficult is birding at Jacob Riis Park?
Birding at Jacob Riis Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
What amenities are available at Jacob Riis Park?
Jacob Riis Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.