Bird watching is a popular hobby on Long Island. With over 400 species of birds, including shorebirds and winter waterfowl, Long Island is home or haven to majestic ospreys, plovers, egrets, double-crested cormorants, a variety of songbirds, hawks, falcons, red cardinals and more. Read about some of the places where you can observe a variety of these feathered flyers.
1. Discovery Wetlands Cruises
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
There are beautiful wetlands filled with birds and marine life near Stony Brook Harbor. Board the 35-passenger pontoon boat Discovery at the harbor for a wonderful 1 1/2-hour cruise through the soothing surroundings of West Meadow Creek. An naturalist onboard will give a running commentary about the history, geology and ecology of the area and point out some of the many varieties of birds that live or visit these wetlands. Read more about Discovery Wetlands Cruises...
2. Uplands Farm Sanctuary
Linda Tagliaferro
3. Garvies Point Preserve
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
4. Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
5. Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
The Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge lies on Long Island's south shore. Half of the refuge is upland with rare Pine Barren habitats, and the other half comprises aquatic habitats. Here you'll find approximately 30 bird species. During the winter, about 5000 waterfowl, mostly black ducks, take refuge here.In addition, the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is a migration corridor used by a variety of raptors, songbirds and shorebirds.
6. Garden City Bird Sanctuary
Photo © The Garden City Bird Sanctuary
7. Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge covers over 3,000 acres and provides a habitat for 126 bird species. You'll find double-crested cormorants, Forster's and common terns, wading birds and shorebirds. Ospreys and other raptors like red-tailed hawks, American kestrels and sharp-shinned hawks fly through the refuge. Waterfowl like greater scaup and black ducks stay here in winter.
Waterbirds include the double-crested cormorant and great cormorants. Other waterbirds found here include red-throated loons, horned grebes, belted kingfishers, great blue herons and more. Shorebirds include black-bellied plovers, least- and spotted sandpipers and more.
8. Elizabeth A. Morton Wildlife Refuge
Open daily, year-round, the Elizabeth A. Morton Wildlife Refuge in Sag Harbor, NY features migratory and resident birds including white-breasted nuthatches, blue jays, cardinals, tufted titmice, black capped chickadees and more. During spring and fall, migratory warblers and hawks frequent the wildlife refuge.
There is a small entrance fee for all visitors. For more information,, please see the Elizabeth A. Morton Wildlife Refuge website.
9. Cold Spring Harbor State Park
With an entrance just off Main Street (Route 25A) in Cold Spring Harbor, NY, the Cold Spring Harbor State Park is the backdrop for spring and fall migrations of a number of songbirds. In addition, the 40 acres of trails that wind up and down gentle hills also provide a home for great horned owls and red-tailed hawks. Walk the trails for a short or long tour and you'll be treated to some spectacular views of Cold Spring Harbor.This North Shore park extends all the way to Bethpage State Park and all the way to the South Shore of Long Island.
More info: please visit Cold Spring Harbor State Park or call (631) 432-1770.
