Royal Terns congregate on Midland Beach. Photo: Isaac Grant
Staten Island remained quite rural until just a few decades ago—and though much land has been developed, many important habitats have also been preserved. At the southern end of the island, a number of excellent waterside birding spots complement the south-shore parks profiled above, providing habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl, and good vantage points for birders during fall migration.
The City's largest colony of Purple Martins is in Lemon Creek Park. Photo: Isaac Grant
A Least Sandpiper cools off at Miller Field. Photo: Isaac Grant
Hairy Woodpeckers nest in the woodlands of south Staten Island. Photo: Danny Hancock/Audubon Photography Awards
The City's largest colony of Purple Martins is in Lemon Creek Park. Photo: Isaac Grant
A Least Sandpiper cools off at Miller Field. Photo: Isaac Grant
Hairy Woodpeckers nest in the woodlands of south Staten Island. Photo: Danny Hancock/Audubon Photography Awards
Tufted Titmice thrive in the woodlands of Clay Pit Ponds State Park. Photo: Isaac Grant
Clay Pit Ponds State Park
Birding Highlights by the Season
(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸✸
Flycatchers, thrushes warblers, tanagers, and other land birds; waterfowl and freshwater shorebirds
Summer ✸✸
Possible nesting/foraging woodland/wetland species such Wood Duck, Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Cedar Waxwing, Baltimore Oriole; foraging Barn and Tree Swallows, Chimney Swifts
Fall Migration ✸✸
Warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other songbirds; waterfowl and freshwater shorebirds
Winter ✸
Mixed songbird flocks; waterfowl including diving ducks such as Bufflehead (Sharrott's Pond)
Year-Round Highlights
Dabbling waterfowl, woodpeckers including Hairy Woodpecker
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve is a 265-acre nature preserve near the southwest shore of Staten Island. It contains a variety of unique habitats, such as wetlands, ponds, sand barrens, spring-fed streams and woodlands.
Clay Pit Ponds is the only state park on Staten Island. Though somewhat "under-birded," the park draws a number of woodland and meadow species that stay for the summer and likely breed, including Wood Duck, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, and Black-capped Chickadee. It's freshwater wetlands attract waterbirds such as Spotted Sandpiper and Green Heron. Sharrott's Pond, at the southern end of the park, may host diving waterfowl in the wintertime.
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
eBird
View eBird hotspot records for Clay Pit Ponds to explore recent bird sightings, species bar charts, and more. (Click on “Hotspot Map” at left to see nearby hotspots.)
Personal Safety
Clay Pit Ponds State Park is generally safe to bird. Make sure to bring a trail map to avoid getting lost. Come prepared for mosquitoes in summer and watch for ticks.
The secretive White-eyed Vireo has nested in Long Pond Park. Photo: Kelly Colgan Azar/CC BY-ND 2.0
Long Pond Park
Birding Highlights by the Season
(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸✸✸
Flycatchers, thrushes warblers, tanagers, and other land birds; freshwater shorebirds and waterfowl
Summer ✸✸
Possible nesting or foraging woodland/wetland species such Hairy Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling, and White-eyed Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Cedar Waxwing, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole
Fall Migration ✸✸✸
Warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other songbirds; freshwater shorebirds and waterfowl
Winter ✸✸
Wintering waterfowl including Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser; mixed songbird feeding flocks
Year-Round Highlights
Freshwater waterfowl, woodpeckers including possible Pileated, Belted Kingfisher
Long Pond Park, owned by the City of New York/Parks and Recreation, features seven ponds, the largest being 5-acre Long Pond. Long Pond is one of the most pristine ponds in the New York City area. Located 65 feet above sea level, it is fed completely from underground springs. With its special level of purity, the pond is a vital habitat supporting many species of animals.
A network of old roadbeds and foot trails make it easy to search different areas of the park. This area is excellent from late August through October for autumn migrants, including large numbers of sparrows, including Fox, Lincoln’s, and White-crowned.
From April through May good numbers of neotropical migrants (especially warblers and thrushes) can be found in the woods and along the roads leading to the Long Pond. It is also a good spot for migratory shorebirds and Wood Duck. From early May through late summer, Purple Martin and Northern Rough-winged Swallow carry out an energetic gleaning of air-borne insects over this area.
Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, and Red-eyed Vireo are the most common breeding birds; Great Horned Owl, White-eyed Vireo, and Warbling Vireo are less common, but present.
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
eBird
View eBird hotspot records for Long Pond Park to explore recent bird sightings, species bar charts, and more. (Click on “Hotspot Map” at left to see nearby hotspots.)
Personal Safety
Long Pond Park is generally safe to bird, but some areas are isolated and birding with others is recommended. Poison ivy is prevalent, and ticks abound, so wear long pants. In a wet summer, mosquitoes are also plentiful.
Directions and Visiting Information
There are two entrances:
Entrance 1 - Page Ave. and Adelphi Ave. View a Google map.
Entrance 2 - the end of Richard Ave. View a Google map. This entrance leads right to Pam's Pond. Look carefully for the trail, it has become a bit over grown.
North Mt. Loretto State Forest, a large area of hardwood forest and wetlands north of Mt. Loretto Unique Area and directly east of (and contiguous with) Long Pond Park, is a particularly wild preserved spot of habitat in southern Staten Island. The park's varied habitat includes ephemeral ponds, marsh, swamps, and mature woods, attracting a variety of species through the year: over 195 species have been documented across the property by eBirders, including over 20 warbler species and rarities such as Bicknell's Thrush.
This property's woodlands and wetlands host many interesting species that likely breed here, including Wood Duck, multiple woodpecker species, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and Indigo Bunting. Many wading birds and waterfowl species are attracted to the park's wetlands year-round, while the park can host a great variety of migrant songbirds, spring and fall.
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
eBird
View eBird hotspot records North Mt Loretto SF, North Mt Loretto SF - Snag Swamp, and North Mt Loretto SF - Reed Marsh to explore recent bird sightings, species bar charts, and more. (Note that North Mount Loretto State Forest is divided into multiple hotspots, some of which have more species richness than the primary park hotspot; click on “Hotspot Map” at left to see even more hotspots.)
Personal Safety
North Mount Loretto State Forest is generally safe to bird, but some areas are isolated and birding with others is recommended. Make sure to bring a trail map to avoid getting lost. Poison ivy is prevalent, and ticks abound, so wear long pants. In a wet summer, mosquitoes are also plentiful.
Resurrection Cemetery is a good spot for migrants like the Northern Parula. Photo: François Portmann
Resurrection Cemetery
Birding Highlights by the Season
(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸✸✸
Freshwater shorebirds, waders, and waterfowl; flycatchers, thrushes warblers, tanagers, and other land birds
Summer ✸✸
Foraging wading birds; possible nesting species such Wood Duck, Hairy Woodpecker, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed. White-eyed, and Warbling Vireos, foraging Purple Martin and Barn, Tree, and Bank Swallows, House Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Chipping Sparrow
Fall Migration ✸✸✸
Freshwater shorebirds, waders, and waterfowl; warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other songbirds
Winter ✸✸
Wintering waterfowl including dabbling and diving ducks; accipiters; gulls; mixed songbird feeding flocks, sparrows including Fox
Year-Round Highlights
Gulls, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Carolina Wren
A number of New York City cemeteries offer excellent birding, but Resurrection Cemetery seems to stand out in the crowd, perhaps due to its varied habitat and its position next to several other large preserved natural parklands. The cemetery is contiguous with North Mount Loretto State Forest and just north of Mount Loretto Unique Area, adding to a large swath of connected, preserved green space. Several ponds and the property's large trees have attracted over 250 bird species to the property, as documented by eBirders.
Several ponds on the cemetery property, the largest of which are sensibly dubbed as "Parallel and Perpindular Ponds" (describing their relation to the oblong cemetery, as well as to nearby Sharrott Avenue) can attract interesting waterfowl during migration and over the winter, in addition to large numbers of Canada Geese, Brant, Mallard, and gulls, and smaller numbers of species such as Hooded Merganser and Gadwall. Over the years, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, and Common Goldeneye have been seen here. Wood Duck are possible year-round. During migration, check for freshwater sandpipers like Spotted and Solitary.
The mature trees in the cemetery also attract a variety of landbirds including a strong contingent of woodpeckers, and the park draws many migrating songbirds including warblers, tanagers, and grosbeaks. In the warmer months, Swallows, including Purple Martin, love this park, and the ponds are also popular with wading birds. A surprising variety of birds are also found here during nesting season, including Wood Duck, Killdeer, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed, White-eyed, and Warbling Vireos, House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbird, both Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, and many Chipping Sparrows.
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For cemetery operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
Visit the Resurrection Cemetery website for operating hours, directions, and additional background information.lemoncreekhs
Purple Martins nest in Lemon Creek, one of only a few breeding sites in New York City. Photo: Isaac Grant
Lemon Creek Park (and Pier)
Birding Highlights by the Season
(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸✸
Flycatchers, thrushes warblers, tanagers, and other land birds; shorebirds and waders; Northern Gannet
Summer ✸✸✸
Foraging wading birds, gulls, and terns, American Oystercatcher; Osprey; nesting Killdeer, Fish Crow, Purple Martin, Barn, Tree, and Bank Swallows, Yellow Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak
Fall Migration ✸✸
Shorebirds, waterfowl; warblers, sparrows, and other songbirds
Winter ✸✸✸
Wintering diving ducks including Common Goldeneye, grebes, loons, and scoters; gulls; Great Cormorant
Year-Round Highlights
Gulls, common dabbling waterfowl, Double-crested Cormorant, Belted Kingfisher
Lemon Creek Park, a popular and ecologically diverse park that hosts one of the City's only Purple Martin colonies, includes a long and winding tidal creek and over a half mile of beach front including towering bluffs facing Prince's Bay. The creek itself has gone by several names over its history, including Seguine's Creek and Little North River. Though much of the creek's watershed has been developed since the mid 20th century, it can be traced beyond Lemon Creek Park's boundaries along a circuitous route almost three miles north, through Bloomingdale Park, (at which point it is known as Sandy Creek) to its main origin, the small freshwater Porzio's Pond, just north of Woodrow Road.
Along the way, the creek's water travels both over and under ground to empty into Prince’s Bay, and ultimately to Raritan Bay. The red clay bluffs in the park, reaching 85 feet above Prince’s Bay at Mt. Loretto, are part of the Harbor Hill terminal moraine (the ridge of rock that marks the farthest advance of the Wisconsin Glacier, continuing east to form the spine of the western end of Long Island). The varied habitats of Lemon Creek Park and Pier, which provides both fishing and good vantage points on the bay for birding, have made it a surprisingly rich hotspot for a farily small park: across different spots in the park, eBirders have documented over 220 species here.
The main parking lot of the park lies on the east side of Lemon Creek, below a small boating marina, on a broad, round upland peninsula. The Purple Martin colony nests in several man-made houses here maintained by volunteers, not far from a freshwater pond at the peninsula's western end. Five additional swallows species--Tree, Barn, Bank, and Rough-winged--are are seen here regularly during breeding season. (Cliff and Cave have also been documented here in the past, making it officially a seven-swallow park!) The park's uplands host other interesting songbirds that may nest, including Orchard Oriole and Blue Grosbeak.
Waders, terns. and shorebirds abound in Lemon Creek Park, spring through fall, and the beaches provide excellent winter birding for diving birds including scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, grebes, and loons. Check for Great Cormorant, and Northern Gannet out in the, particularly in March and April. During the colder months, also keep a lookout for Harbor Seals, which are seen here regularly.
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
eBird
View eBird hotspot records for Lemon Creek Park and Lemon Creek Pier to explore recent bird sightings, species bar charts, and more. (Note that the park is divided into multiple hotspots; click on “Hotspot Map” at left to see even more locations.)
Personal Safety
Lemon Creek Park is generally safe to bird. Come prepared for mosquitoes in summer.
(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸✸
Flycatchers, thrushes warblers, tanagers, and other land birds; some waterfowl and freshwater shorebirds
Summer ✸
Some foraging wading birds; possible nesting woodland species such as Hairy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Cedar Waxwing, Wood Thrush, Eastern Towhee; foraging Barn and Tree Swallows
Fall Migration ✸✸
Warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other songbirds; waterfowl and freshwater shorebirds
Winter ✸
Mixed songbird flocks; accipiters
Year-Round Highlights
Common dabbling waterfowl, woodpeckers including Hairy Woodpecker
The 250 acres of Blue Heron Park, owned by the City Of New York/Parks and Recreation, are made up of low lying, moist second growth forest with 3 named ponds. Wetlands such as Butterfly Pond in the park, are surrounded by dense vegetation, perfect habitat for many bird species. In spring, the vernal pools throughout the park attract a diversity of migrants, and in fall, weedy edge habitat around Butterfly Pond is particularly attractive to good numbers of migrating sparrows.
In late summer, Purple Martins and other swallows often congregate around Butterfly Pond before departing. Amphibians and a few species of reptiles including Eastern Box Turtle are still surviving here.
Pine and Palm Warblers, along with kinglets, Brown Creeper and Eastern Phoebes are often very common in spring and fall. In October the raptor migration can be quite good depending on the weather conditions and wind direction. A north or northwest wind, along with a cold front is ideal.
One of the 3 larger ponds, Spring pond is visible from Poillon Avenue just east of Hylan Boulevard. One can bird this pond from trails, and during migration, birds favor this wetland habitat. Green Herons are now breeding here and insect diversity, including dragonflies, is spectacular.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, however the many feeders in the rear of the Nature Center during winter time always have a fine variety of birds. In past years, Pine Warblers wintered along with Purple Finches, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and the more common residents. All can be observed at close range from inside the warm Nature Center building. Photographers have a fine time with the birds so close at the feeders.
Blue Heron Pond itself is now undergoing rapid succession and vegetation is replacing sections of the pond. In spite of less water, Wood Ducks, Little Blue Herons and Great Blue Herons can be found here along with migrating Solitary Sandpipers.
In the woodlands during summer months, birders can find a rather good selection of breeding specialties for an urban park surrounded by dense housing development. Both cuckoos have nested and Eastern Towhee, Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Wood-Pewees, and American Woodcock are summer breeding residents.
A resident population of Wood Thrush survives despite problems associated with forest fragmentation and Cowbird parasitism. Surviving numbers of Wood Thrush are showing that this species, unusual as a breeding species in urban parks, is doing well here.
In addition, Eastern Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls are permanent residents in the park. In late winter both of these species can be heard calling near the Nature Center. Calm clear evenings are the best times to hear the owls.
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
eBird
View eBird hotspot records for Blue Heron Park to explore recent bird sightings, species bar charts, and more. (Click on “Hotspot Map” at left to see nearby hotspots.)
Personal Safety
Blue Heron Park trails are generally safe to bird, though some wooded areas are quite remote. Make sure to bring a trail map to avoid getting lost. Come prepared for mosquitoes in summer. Ticks are rarely found in the woods.
Trails at Blue Heron Park are well marked and trail maps are available from the Nature Center. A naturalist is on duty on the weekends from 1 until 4 pm, and guided walks are sponsored by the Friends of Blue Heron Park. Friends of BHP has a bulletin and provides many programs throughout the year, including bird trips and walks led by Howard Fischer.
Urban Park Rangers also provide the public with programs and the Staten Island Rangers are stationed at this park. The Nature Center phone number is 718-967-3542 and a website will show all events in detail.seasidewildlifehs
Laughing Gulls summer along Staten Island's south shore. Photo: Lawrence Pugliares
Seaside Wildlife Nature Park
Birding Highlights by the Season
(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸
Waders and waterfowl; some songbirds
Summer ✸
Foraging wading birds, gulls, and terns including Royal Tern in late summer; Osprey, common nesting land birds including Boat-tailed Grackle
Fall Migration ✸
Waterbirds; warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other songbirds
Winter ✸✸
Wintering waterfowl including dabbling and diving ducks, grebes, and loons
"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" class="attachment attachment--content"> Occupied by the Great Kills Hotel in the late 19th to early 20th century and vacant for much of the 20th century, this seaside property was trasnsferred to NYC Parks in 1999. Community members led cleanup efforts and established a small garden around 2001, and the park has become a small but very accessible community park, complete with a nature trail through shrubby areas and a small salt marsh, and a walk along the seafront.
Though a somewhat underbirded site, the aspirationally named Seaside Wildlife Nature Park is a good spot to see perched terns and gulls, including Royal Terns, which gather here in summer on pilings in the harbor. Waders such as Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and night-herons visit the shoreline, while shrubby areas may attract warblers and other songbirds during migration. In the wintertime, a good variety of dablling and diving waterfowl can be seen from the park: good numbers of Brant, Bufflehead, and Red-breasted Mergansers are seen along with less common species such as Common Goldeneye, along with loons, grebes, and
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
A Baird's Sandpiper visits Miller Field. Photo: Isaac Grant
MIller Field and Midland Beach
Birding Highlights by the Season
(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸
Flycatchers, thrushes warblers, tanagers, and other land birds; shorebirds and waders
Summer ✸✸
Nesting Killdeer; some foraging waders; Fish Crow, Barn, Tree, and Bank Swallows, Chipping Sparrow; shorebirds starting in July
Fall Migration ✸✸
Shorebirds including rarities; some raptors and other landbird migrants; sparrows (Midland Beach: sparrows, landbirds migrants, winter finches)
Winter ✸✸
Wintering geese including occasional rarities, grassland birds such as Horned Lark. (Midland Beach: diving ducks and other seabirds; raptors; mixed songbird flocks, Red-breasted Nuthatch)
Miller Field, site of a former coastal defense air station, is part of Gateway National Recreation Area's Staten Island Unit. Perhaps a site for the more hardcore birder, Miller Field's "birding action" consists primarily of a parking lot with a shallow pool (one might say puddle) that attracts a startling variety of shorebirds, gulls, terns and some waterfowl. The open fields here also may attract grassland species and raptors. it has racked up an impressive species list: over 190 species have been documented here by eBirders, including rarities such as Ameican Avocet, Red-necked Phalarope, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Franklin's Gull, and Mew Gull.
To the southwest of Miller Field lie the beaches just north of Great Kills Park. Miller Field has its own small shoreline, and to the northeast lies Midland Beach, a long beach popular with birders for its shorebirds and terns in summer and seabirds in winter.
See "Birding Highlights by the Season" above; the eBird links below also may be helpful. To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
eBird
View eBird hotspot records for Miller Field and MIdland Beach to explore recent bird sightings, species bar charts, and more. (Click on “Hotspot Map” at left to see other nearby hotspots.)
Personal Safety
Miller Field is generally safe to bird. Come prepared for mosquitoes in summer.
Thanks to those who provided local birding expertise for this page: Howard Fischer (2020, 2012, 2001); José R. Ramírez-Garofalo (2020); Seth Wollney (2012)
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