Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road

New York · Northeast

ModerateView on eBird

Habitat

River/RiparianWetland

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road is a productive birding destination in New York, with 211 species recorded on eBird. This river/riparian and wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, Mallard, and Hooded Merganser among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.

Location

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Notable Species

Canada Goose Mallard Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Blue Jay

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Evening Grosbeak (Eastern or type 3)

Hesperiphona vespertina

3/5/2026Dirty Bird Ranch (Private)1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/4/2026Stewart Park1 observed

American Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull (hybrid)

Larus smithsonianus x fuscus

3/4/2026Stewart Park1 observed

Iceland Gull (Thayer's)

Larus glaucoides

3/4/2026Stewart Park1 observed

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

3/4/2026Seneca Lake, Salt Point Rd.1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/2/2026Catharine Creek WMA--Catharine Valley Trail3 observed

Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)

Anas crecca

2/28/2026Hog Hole (Allan H. Treman State Marine Park)1 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

2/28/2026379 Elston Hill Road3 observed

Red-shouldered Hawk (lineatus Group)

Buteo lineatus

2/28/2026Dirty Bird Ranch (Private)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

42/20/2026

Mallard

22/20/2026

Hooded Merganser

22/20/2026

Common Merganser

52/20/2026

Blue Jay

42/20/2026

Common Raven

12/20/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

42/20/2026

Tufted Titmouse

22/20/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

12/20/2026

Carolina Wren

12/20/2026

American Robin

42/20/2026

American Goldfinch

22/20/2026

Dark-eyed Junco

62/20/2026

Birding Tips

1
Walk along the water slowly, scanning overhanging branches for kingfishers and warblers.
2
Check sandbars and gravel bars for shorebirds and terns.
3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Amenities

Parking

Trails

More in New York

Central Park

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Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

NYC's premier shorebird and waterfowl refuge with 330+ species recorded.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Finger Lakes wetland refuge with massive waterfowl concentrations during migration.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road for birding?▼

The best months to visit Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road?▼

Notable species at Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road include Canada Goose, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Blue Jay. The area supports river/riparian, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road?▼

Birding at Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road?▼

Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area - Rock Cabin Road offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.