Hudson River Audubon Society

Important Bird Areas / Westchester

There are two parks, a sanctuary and a conservancy designated as Important Bird Areas by the Audubon Society. The four IBAs have outstanding value for bird conservation, providing habitat for breeding or migration stopovers for endangered or threatened species. Year round, they support an outstanding number of species, commoners as well as attention-grabbing rarities. They are especially rewarding to bird, they should be on the top of your must-go list.

Across the lower 48 states, the IBA program has over 2600 sites, encompassing 37 million acres.

These are the four Westchester, linked to description and information.

Croton Point Park

Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Marshlands Conservancy

Rockefeller State Park Preserve

1 Croton Point Ave, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520

Bald Eagles can be found here easily in winter. The capped landfill, once the feeding grounds for thousands of gulls; now meadow, is the star attractant for birds year-round. Eastern Meadowlark and Bobolink have been sighted there.

Birding is best when Westchester County follows its own management plan of mowing 1/4 of the meadow per year, thereby creating different meadows habitats. In the summer of 2013, mowing was limited and the results dramatic. Bobolink returned to breed, and 3 to 4 Grasshopper Sparrows were found singing into the summer. Some late mowing may have led to failed nesting. Nesting was successful in 2014. In 2015 some mowing may have again affected successful nesting.

Fall and winter bring in many hawks such as American Kestrel and Northern Harrier. Red-tailed Hawks are common year-round. Look for Rough-legged Hawk in flight years and an occasional Short-eared Owl. Short-eared Owls are best seen at dusk as they start their night cruising the landfill for a meal. Great Horned Owl and Eastern-Screech-Owl are also present.

The landfill, is also great for sparrows in the fall, with Song, Savannah and White-throated the most common. All the other eastern sparrows may also show up and have included Vesper, Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows. A few Savannah Sparrows overwinter along the ditches that drain the old landfill.

Look for American Pipit and Horned Lark in the fall and winter, along with occasional Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur. Bald Eagles can be found in the trees, on ice flows or overhead in winter. Another great spot for eagle watching is a small parking lot at the very southern end of the Croton Train Station, past the maintenance hut. Look for eagles in the trees just right of the Route 9 bridge and in the opposite direction in the trees right of the landfill. American Coot can be common here in late fall. Their numbers drop as the eagles come in for the winter till they all seem to disappear.

Waterfowl in Croton Bay during fall and winter include Scaup, Common Merganser, Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead. The month of the Croton River, near the Route 9 bridge can have Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback and an occasional Redhead or Northern Pintail. The marsh to the south is difficult to access but can have Virginia and Sora Rails in migration. The lower trail out to the point holds many hard-hardies in winter including Gray Catbird, Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrow. 508 acres. Entrance Fee in the warmer months.
(914) 862-5290 / eBird hotspot / web site /

1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580

One of the top places to bird in Westchester County. It is a part of the Westchester County parks system.

A spotting scope is useful here to pick out birds on the lake and sound. It has a large concentration of waterfowl in winter, mainly Greater and Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, American Wigeon and Black Duck. Most of the other ducks occur here in smaller numbers. There is also a large winter Great Blue Heron roost. Looks for what looks like gray rocks along the far shore and on the small islands. The sound has wintering loons, grebes, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. In late winter, early spring, look for migrating scoters and Northern Gannet. The sanctuary has yielded many rarities including Snow Bunting, Snowy Owl, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, and Eared Grebe.

Another good winter birding spot is Rye Beach. Take Forest Avenue south from Playland Parkway to fist left onto Dearborn, parking available on the left. Look for Purple Sandpipers on the jetty in winter.
(914) 967-8720 / eBird hotspot / website /

220 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580

The only extensive salt water marsh in Westchester makes this place one of the top birding areas. 300 species have been found In this 150 acre preserve. It's the location of the famed Wood Sandpiper of 1990. Specialties in the marsh and mud flats include: shorebirds; waders; rails (including an occasional King); Marsh Wren; Salt Marsh, Nelson's, and Seaside Sparrow and many others. In February and March, American Woodcock display in the field at dusk. Excellent spring and fall migration. Wild Turkeys come to the feeders. Yellow-breasted Chats are rare but have been found in both summer and winter.

The rarity list is impressive and includes: Black Rail, American Avocet, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Red-necked Phalarope, Little Gull, Hammond's Flycatcher, Boreal Chickadee, Sedge Wren, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Boat-tailed Grackle and others.

Marshlands Conservancy on the Long Island Sound; it features estuarine marsh, open field and woodland habitats. Marshlands is part of the Westchester County parks system.
(914) 835-4466 / eBird hotspot / website /

125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570

Visitors' Center has trail maps and feeders. The Preserve has miles of different trails. One of the best places to view Eastern Bluebirds. Look for them on the Overlook Trail. The preserve offers a wide variety of habitats including Swan Lake for waterfowl, red maple swamp for spring warblers and winter owls and a ridgeline location which offers occasional views of the fall hawk migration. Parking fee charged.
(914) 631-1470 / eBird hotspot / web site