Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Check for upcoming activities at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, such as walks, lecture series and art shows.

Please call the refuge at 718-318-4340 for reservations and additional information. The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge -- part of Gateway National Recreation Area -- is the only wildlife refuge in the national park system and is recognized as worldclass location for birding and nature photography. The refuge's 9,155 acres contain diverse habitats including salt marsh, upland field and woods, several

fresh and brackish water ponds and an open expanse of bay available for exploration. At the Visitor Contact Station, a recently built "green" building, rangers can point you in the right direction whether you are interested in bird watching, strolling quiet trails or just experiencing the outdoors. The facility is also home to exhibits which highlight Jamaica Bay's remarkable plant and animal life, history, and how people continue to shape the nature of the bay. A wide range of ranger and volunteer led programs are offered year-round at the site, and include presentations on seasonal wildlife, sunset tours, family programs and an annual lecture series.

06/10/2022

Due to an issue with the fire detection and suppression system, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (including restrooms) will be closed until further notice.

07/22/2021

It’s Shorebird season at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: most hardcore Shorebirders will visit the East Pond for Shorebirds. Please remember to wear knee high boots and take care when birding the Pond.

If you are not familiar with the Pond, it is advisable NOT to attempt walking the edge by yourself as they are tricky areas that could be deep.

Stay safe everyone!

The Ranger’s log for today.
10/23/2019

The Ranger’s log for today.

Shorebird season is in full swing. Unfortunately, the East Pond is not in the best of shape but we are working to salvag...
08/31/2019

Shorebird season is in full swing. Unfortunately, the East Pond is not in the best of shape but we are working to salvage the remainder of the season.

This image was taken yesterday of a Pectoral Sandpiper on the East Pond.

The Pectoral Sandpiper is a medium-sized sandpiper that breeds on wet tundra in both the North American and Siberian Arctic and winters mostly in southern South America.

Pectoral Sandpipers migrate southward from arctic breeding areas in largest numbers through central North America to winter primarily on the pampas of south-central and southern South America. Most individuals that breed in Siberia migrate east, or perhaps even along the Great Circle route over the Arctic Ocean, to Alaska or Canada and then on to South American wintering areas. Individuals at the extremes of this range potentially make a total return-trip migration of more than 30,000 km, a distance comparable to that flown by the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). Source: birdsna.org

Female Purple Finch at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Photo credit: Andrew Baksh
11/23/2018

Female Purple Finch at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Photo credit: Andrew Baksh

Fall brings an influx of Sparrows. Many of our arriving White-throated Sparrows can be seen along the trail around the W...
11/04/2018

Fall brings an influx of Sparrows. Many of our arriving White-throated Sparrows can be seen along the trail around the West Pond and near the Refuge visitor center.

A Field Sparrow from the West Pond trail. Photo credit: Andrew Baksh

The área near bench 4 is being cut right now to give better viewing to the south east corner of the West Pond. The marsh...
08/05/2018

The área near bench 4 is being cut right now to give better viewing to the south east corner of the West Pond. The marsh in that corner has attracted quite a number of shorebirds.

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
10/13/2017

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

While the East Pond has lost a lot of its magic over time. One could still beauties like this Stilt Sandpiper. This one ...
09/02/2017

While the East Pond has lost a lot of its magic over time. One could still beauties like this Stilt Sandpiper. This one has an unusually long bill.

American Avocet on the East Pond with Short-billed Dowitchers.
08/17/2017

American Avocet on the East Pond with Short-billed Dowitchers.

You know it is Shorebird season when the boot washing station is up. Thanks to the staff at the Refuge for setting up th...
08/01/2017

You know it is Shorebird season when the boot washing station is up. Thanks to the staff at the Refuge for setting up this cleaning station, helping visitors cleanup after a hike (schelp) on the East Pond.

Shorebirds are back at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens Co. Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers feed on the East Pond.
07/23/2017

Shorebirds are back at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens Co. Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers feed on the East Pond.

Address

New York, NY

Telephone

(718) 318-4340

Website

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