News From the Nest

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is launching a new, monthly birding newsletter. The newsletter, News From the Nest, is geared toward birders of all abilities and levels, and includes updates from the New York State Birding Trail, birding resources, highlights, and much more.

Sign up for News From the Nest now.

Long Island Segment of the NYS Birding Trail Is Now Live!

The Long Island segment of the NYS Birding Trail is now open and is the third region to be completed. The Long Island segment of the trail includes 20 locations on a mix of State and Federal lands throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

From Montauk Point State Park on the tip of Long Island to Hempstead Lake in Nassau County, visitors can experience birding at a variety of habitats. Visitors can enjoy birding at coastal locations like the barrier island ecosystem at Fire Island Lighthouse, where one-third of all North American species have been recorded. Inland sites like Edgewood Oak Brush Plains and Ridge Conservation Area offer multiple opportunities to observe migratory birds and other forest and grassland species. The sandy pine barrens of Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest are ideal habitat for woodpeckers, great horned owls, and orioles. Three National Wildlife Refuge properties with salt marshes and lagoons offer the chance to see waterfowl, raptors, waders, and songbirds. Visiting north shore sites such as Sunken Meadows State Park that has salt marshes where snowy and common egrets, black-crowned night herons, and great blue herons can be seen fishing in the waters of the marsh. Long Island is part of the Atlantic flyway and on the migratory path of a high diversity of bird species. A visit to these sites will have something for everyone.

Learn more and start planning your adventure!

Birding Trail Site Spotlight: Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, a 187-acre peninsula on Noyack and Little Peconic Bays, boasts exceptionally diverse habitats. Sandy and rocky beaches fringe the peninsula, while wooded bluffs overlook the bays. Morton consists of upland forest, fields, ponds, salt marsh, beach, and a lagoon. These habitats are used by a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, eastern chipmunk, painted turtles, green frogs, songbirds, and osprey. Waterfowl, such as long-tailed duck, common goldeneye, and white-winged scoter, are common during the winter months, while piping plover, terns, and other water birds use the beach during the spring and summer months. Check out some of the most recent sightings on eBird and use Merlin to help identify species.

The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge features a visitor center, trails, bathrooms, and parking ($4 fee).

Need more places to go? Check out the NYS Birding Trail for an updated list of locations, with new ones continually being added. 

Photo Credit: Anthony Graziano

Photo Submissions

Each month we will be spotlighting the best pictures from across the Birding Trail! To share your photos from the trail, please email photo submissions with photo location to: birdtrail@dec.ny.gov with the subject line, “Photo Submission.”

Upcoming Birding Events

Fri. April 8 – Birding at Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Sat. April 9 – Bird Migration Hike at Reinstein Woods

Sat. April 9 – Birding at Hallock State Park Preserve

Sat. April 9 – The Big Night at Evangola State Park

Mon. April 11 – I Bird NY Woodcock Walk at Five Rivers

Wed. April 13 – I Bird NY Woodcock Walk at Five Rivers

Fri. April 15 – Birding at Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Sat. April 16 – Bringing Back the Early Spring Migrants at Five Rivers

Sat. April 16 – Choosing the Right Binoculars at Five Rivers

Wed. April 20 – Intro to Birding at Thatcher State Park

Fri. April 22 – Birding at Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Sat. April 23 – Bird-Safe Windows at Reinstein Woods

Fri. April 29 – Birding at Minnewaska State Park Preserve