Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
New York · Northeast
Moderate
April-May, September-October
Free
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a productive birding destination in New York, with 324 species recorded on eBird. This coastal habitat attracts Snow Goose, Brant, and Canada Goose 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
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Black Vulture
Coragyps atratus
Marsh Wren
Cistothorus palustris
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Virginia Rail
Rallus limicola
Northern Yellow Warbler
Setophaga aestiva
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphia
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Forster's Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Glossy Ibis
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
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.
- 4
Onshore winds can push pelagic species closer to shore, making post-storm days excellent for rarities.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Gateway National Recreation Area
- Floyd Bennett Field
- Jacob Riis Park
More in New York
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Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
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New York Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in New York →