Lake birding habitat

Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes)

New York · Northeast

Habitat
Lake
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes) is a productive birding destination in New York, with 202 species recorded on eBird. This lake habitat attracts Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, and Common Merganser 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

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

4/17/2026Hunt-Parker Sanctuary--Bylane Farm1 observed

Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

4/17/2026Van Cortlandt Park--NW Forest1 observed

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

4/17/20265th Avenue Wetlands, Hackensack River1 observed

Eastern Warbling Vireo

Vireo gilvus

4/17/2026Inwood Hill Park--Dyckman Fields1 observed

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

4/17/2026Brinton Brook Sanctuary1 observed

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

4/17/2026Humes Preserve1 observed

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

4/17/2026Pelham Bay Park, New York US-NY 40.87161, -73.791701 observed

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

4/17/2026Bristow Bird Sanctuary1 observed

Blue-winged Warbler

Vermivora cyanoptera

4/17/2026Rockefeller SP Preserve1 observed

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

4/17/2026Inwood Hill Park1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

44/17/2026

American Goldfinch

14/17/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

14/17/2026

Common Grackle

54/17/2026

Pine Warbler

14/17/2026

Northern Cardinal

14/17/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

14/17/2026

Downy Woodpecker

14/17/2026

Northern Flicker

14/17/2026

Blue Jay

64/17/2026

Tree Swallow

34/17/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

14/17/2026

American Robin

254/17/2026

House Finch

24/17/2026

Chipping Sparrow

94/17/2026

Song Sparrow

24/17/2026

Mallard

14/17/2026

Killdeer

14/17/2026

American Crow

24/17/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

44/17/2026

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 Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes) for birding?
The best months to visit Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes) for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes)?
Notable species at Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes) include Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ring-billed Gull. The area supports lake habitats.
How difficult is birding at Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes)?
Birding at Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes) is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes)?
Kensico Reservoir (Kensico & Rye Lakes) offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.