Fort Tilden

New York · Northeast

EasyOfficial Site View on eBird

Habitat

CoastalDuneUrban Park

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May, September-October

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Fort Tilden is a former military installation on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, now part of Gateway National Recreation Area. The park's coastal dunes, maritime shrubland, and remnant battery structures create diverse microhabitats that attract migrant songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors.

Spring migration brings waves of warblers and sparrows to the dense shrubby vegetation, while the beach hosts nesting Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatchers. The park's position at the western end of the Rockaway Peninsula makes it an excellent hawk watch site during both spring and fall migration. Over 300 species have been recorded in the greater Jamaica Bay/Rockaway complex.

Location

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Notable Species

Piping Plover Least Tern American Oystercatcher Yellow-breasted Chat Peregrine Falcon Seaside Sparrow

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

3/5/2026Agawam Lake1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/5/2026Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/5/2026Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost1 observed

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellus

3/5/2026Swamp Rd, Ft. Edward1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/5/2026Ft. Edward Yacht Basin1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/5/2026Webster Park--Campground area5 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/5/2026Wallabout Channel1 observed

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

3/5/2026Home7 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/5/2026Windcrest Drive, Manorville1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/5/2026Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/5/2026Bradley Beach, Ft. Edward1 observed

Iceland Gull (kumlieni)

Larus glaucoides

3/5/2026Ceasar's Bay Bazaar2 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

3/5/2026Piermont Pier1 observed

Pine Grosbeak

Pinicola enucleator

3/5/2026Webster Park--Campground area1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/5/2026Webster Park--Campground area2 observed

Red Crossbill (Northeastern or type 12)

Loxia curvirostra

3/5/2026Michigan Hollow, silo house2 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/5/2026Buffalo River Ohio St. Fishing Access Site1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/5/2026Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/5/2026Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost1 observed

Pine Grosbeak

Pinicola enucleator

3/5/2026Webster Park--Campground area1 observed

Recent Observations

Brant

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

155 birds

Canada Goose

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

29 birds

American Wigeon

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

18 birds

American Black Duck

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

2 birds

Black Scoter

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

5 birds

Long-tailed Duck

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

11 birds

Bufflehead

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

45 birds

Common Goldeneye

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-breasted Merganser

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

4 birds

Rock Pigeon

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mourning Dove

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

12 birds

Killdeer

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Woodcock

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

7 birds

Ring-billed Gull

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

68 birds

American Herring Gull

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

18 birds

Great Black-backed Gull

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

5 birds

Horned Grebe

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

17 birds

Red-throated Loon

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Loon

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

1 birds

Great Cormorant

Floyd Bennett Field

3/4/2026

7 birds

Birding Tips

1
The community gardens and overgrown battery areas are the best migrant traps for songbirds
2
Stay off marked nesting areas on the beach — Piping Plovers and Least Terns nest here in spring
3
Combine with a visit to nearby Jamaica Bay NWR for a full day of diverse coastal birding

Amenities

Parking

Trails

Restrooms

Nearby Attractions

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Riis Beach
Breezy Point

More in New York

Central Park

Manhattan's surprising migrant trap with 280+ species in the heart of NYC.

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

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Fort Tilden for birding?▼

The best months to visit Fort Tilden for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Fort Tilden?▼

Notable species at Fort Tilden include Piping Plover, Least Tern, American Oystercatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, Peregrine Falcon, Seaside Sparrow. The area supports coastal, dune, urban park habitats.

How difficult is birding at Fort Tilden?▼

Birding at Fort Tilden is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Fort Tilden?▼

There is no entrance fee at Fort Tilden. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Fort Tilden?▼

Fort Tilden offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails, Restrooms.