Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

New York · Northeast

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandMarsh

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

March-April

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Montezuma NWR sits at the north end of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region, providing critical wetland habitat for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. The auto tour route offers easy viewing of marshes that host thousands of Snow Geese and ducks in migration.

Location

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Notable Species

Snow Goose Bald Eagle American Bittern Virginia Rail Black Tern

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

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

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoides

3/4/2026Old Field Point and Lighthouse1 observed

Fish Crow

Corvus ossifragus

3/4/2026Burger King Parking Lot1 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

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus

3/4/2026BLVU2 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/4/2026Kingston Point Beach1 observed

Great Egret

Ardea alba

3/4/20262260 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore US-NY (42.9587,-78.8786)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
Drive the Wildlife Drive at dusk for best waterfowl viewing
2
Spring migration peaks in March with thousands of Snow Geese

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Visitor Center

Auto Tour Route

Nearby Attractions

Finger Lakes Wine Trail

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Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Best Places to See Bald Eagles in North America

11 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge for birding are March-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Notable species at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge include Snow Goose, Bald Eagle, American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Black Tern. The area supports wetland, marsh habitats.

How difficult is birding at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Birding at Montezuma National 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 Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge?▼

There is no entrance fee at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Auto Tour Route.