Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

New York · Northeast

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarshCoastal

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

August-October

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a remarkable urban wilderness within New York City, hosting over 330 bird species. The West Pond trail circles a freshwater pond surrounded by salt marsh, offering close views of shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors.

Location

Loading map...

Notable Species

American Oystercatcher Glossy Ibis Osprey Seaside Sparrow Clapper Rail

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Corthylio calendula

3/4/2026Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse1 observed

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

3/4/2026Confluence Park, Owego1 observed

Fish Crow

Corvus ossifragus

3/4/2026Buffalo Botanical Gardens1 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Buffalo RiverWorks1 observed

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

3/4/2026575 E Main St, Little Falls US-NY 43.04367, -74.857422 observed

Boat-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus major

3/4/2026Sheepshead Bay1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Wallabout Channel1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/4/2026Webster Park--Campground area5 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/4/2026Wallabout Channel1 observed

Fish Crow

Corvus ossifragus

3/4/2026Burger King Parking Lot1 observed

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoides

3/4/2026Old Field Point and Lighthouse1 observed

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicus

3/4/2026Smith Point County Park1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026Braddock Bay--West Spit4 observed

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

3/4/2026Confluence Park, Owego2 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026Braddock Bay--North Marina3 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/4/2026Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island US-NY 42.95853, -78.944481 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Kingsborough Community College2 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026Braddock Bay--North Marina2 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026Braddock Bay--North Marina2 observed

Northern Shrike

Lanius borealis

3/4/20262800-3098 Thorpe Road, Seneca Falls, New York, US (42.883, -76.788)1 observed

Recent Observations

Common Raven

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

3/4/2026

1 birds

Rock Pigeon

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-billed Gull

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

3/4/2026

1 birds

Hooded Merganser

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bufflehead

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

3/4/2026

18 birds

American Crow

1568 Porter Covert Rd, Lodi US-NY 42.62898, -76.86410

3/4/2026

4 birds

American Kestrel

1568 Porter Covert Rd, Lodi US-NY 42.62898, -76.86410

3/4/2026

1 birds

European Starling

Sunset Park, Brooklyn (neighborhood)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Blue Jay

Sunset Park, Brooklyn (neighborhood)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Ring-necked Pheasant

2800-3098 Thorpe Road, Seneca Falls, New York, US (42.883, -76.788)

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Sparrow

Sunset Park, Brooklyn (neighborhood)

3/4/2026

15 birds

Red-breasted Merganser

West Street Waterfront, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

2 birds

Gadwall

West Street Waterfront, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

2 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

West Street Waterfront, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Black Duck

West Street Waterfront, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

3 birds

Barred Owl

20 Wildwood Dr, Poughkeepsie US-NY (41.6321,-73.9066)

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Robin

2260 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore US-NY (42.9587,-78.8786)

3/4/2026

Golden-crowned Kinglet

2260 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore US-NY (42.9587,-78.8786)

3/4/2026

Great Blue Heron

2260 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore US-NY (42.9587,-78.8786)

3/4/2026

Birding Tips

1
Walk the West Pond trail for the best variety
2
Check the East Pond in late summer for shorebirds

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Gateway National Recreation Area

More in New York

Central Park

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

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 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for birding are August-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge?▼

Notable species at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge include American Oystercatcher, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Seaside Sparrow, Clapper Rail. The area supports wetland, marsh, coastal habitats.

How difficult is birding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge?▼

Birding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge?▼

There is no entrance fee at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge?▼

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails.