Birds

A flock of shorebirds takes flight over mudflats.

Derek Rogers

 

Explore Birds

• Birdwatching Locations and Tips
• Beach and Wetland Birds
• Piping Plover
• Threatened and Endangered Species

Explore Birds at Fire Island National Seashore

Before you head out to go birdwatching at Fire Island National Seashore, e-mail us to request a birding checklist.

During fall migration, you can join Fire Island Raptor Enumerators, a group of dedicated individuals who collect data and keep records on the numbers of raptors and their flight patterns in this region, to watch the fall migration of raptors from the raptor-viewing platform just east of Robert Moses State Park, Field 5.

National parks provide important habitat for resident, migratory, and threatened and endangered bird species. Learn more about migratory birds in national parks and threatened and endangered species, like Piping Plover, at Fire Island.

 

A Diversity of Bird Species

More than 330 species of birds have been recorded on Fire Island, more than 1/3 of all species found in North America. Fire Island is without a doubt one of the best birding locations in the New York area, particularly during the spring and fall migrations.

Located along the Atlantic migratory flyway, Fire Island plays host to a wide variety of both migratory and resident bird species. The island's rich mosaic of forest, dune, and marsh habitats offers feeding and nesting opportunities for a wide array of shorebirds, songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and waders.

Fire Island National Seashore is one of more than 40 National Park Service sites that are recognized as "Globally Important Bird Areas" by conservation organizations. The Seashore's Atlantic coastline is a part of the American Bird Conservancy's designated Long Island Piping Plover Nesting Beaches.