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

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

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

6/3/2026New York Botanical Garden1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

6/3/2026New York Botanical Garden1 observed

Forster's Tern

Sterna forsteri

6/3/2026Path over City Is. Bridge2 observed

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

6/3/2026Path over City Is. Bridge1 observed

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

6/3/2026Sherman Creek Park and Swindler Cove1 observed

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

Boat-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus major

6/2/2026Pelham Bay Park--Southern Meadow and environs2 observed

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus

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

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

6/2/2026home 11 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

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

65/26/2026

Mute Swan

15/26/2026

Mallard

25/26/2026

Mourning Dove

25/26/2026

Chimney Swift

25/26/2026

Killdeer

35/26/2026

Spotted Sandpiper

25/26/2026

Least Sandpiper

15/26/2026

American Herring Gull

75/26/2026

Common Loon

15/26/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

255/26/2026

Great Blue Heron

15/26/2026

Osprey

15/26/2026

Bald Eagle

15/26/2026

Red-bellied Woodpecker

15/26/2026

Northern Flicker

15/26/2026

Fish Crow

175/26/2026

Common Raven

15/26/2026

Tree Swallow

65/26/2026

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

45/26/2026

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.