jamaica bay wildlife refuge

With the New York City skyline and JFK airport as a backdrop this is a wonderful place to walk, bird watch and commune with nature. We visit this refuge about once a week and our experience is always different. It is a great place to see warblers (birds for the non-birders), during their spring migration north, sea birds, hawks and owls in the winter, shore birds, late summer/fall. The osprey will be returning any day now from their southern wintering spots. In fact we are now awaiting the hopeful return of C2 an osprey that was tracked by GPS last year on his round trip migration to Columbia. Upon return in the spring of 2014 he and his mate successfully fledged two offspring. He was again tracked leaving Jamaica Bay in September 2014 but GPS contact was lost after a short time just off the cost of Cuba. When you visit the refuge be sure to ask about Coley and C2.This is a great place to stroll. You may be lucky enough to see other wildlife such as raccoons, terrapin turtles. The terrapin will lay eggs in the summer. Look for the protective medal gates placed around the nesting site to protect the eggs from predicators (I mentioned the cute raccoons, well they love turtle eggs!). On or near the full moon in May and June take a walk with Mickey Cohen and Don Riepe from the Littoral Society for an informative, fun walk and talk about the hoarsshoe crabs who lay eggs on the shore here.Water is available from water fountains in the small visitors center. Bathrooms are clean. Parking and entrance is free. No food to purchase and no place within one mile to purchase food but two small picinic tables are available.

Our travel consultant could not believe our request. Taxi pick-up from JFK airport. Drop- off at The wildlife refuge. Sounds bonkers, i know, but my femme and i always step off long haul trips and immerse ourselves immediately in nature... sometimes very wild nature. You certainly couldn't get a more watery wilderness contrast so close to the surrounding city-scape. We were told that these wetlands are a haven for thousands of birds, totally unfazed by the millions of people rumbling by in their cars while jets roar overhead. Our quest is to intersect at the proximity where humans and birds follow their own rhythms. The 9155-acre refuge offers this easy access to the natural world filled at different times with herons, egrets, warblers, hawks and 150 species that were not here during our visit. Its amazing to have this pleasant illusion of being nowhere but being within the sight of Manhattan's skyline. I wish i could be here for winter just to catch sight of crystals of ice forming on the trees and grasses, and to heighten the wonderful feel of solitude.

I've been to nyc a number of times and decided to see what my search would showup. It pointed out this place as a major birdwatching area unless its the summertime. its relatively easy to get here via public transportation for most it will require a bus ride the last leg of the trip. Unfortunately i got here more close to midafternoon and in the stifling heat there is not much to see. However, i'm sure that during cooler temps this area has major possibilities because on arriving i did see some photographer with major photo gear leaving for the day. the visitor center had very good exhibits about the surrounding area and the creatures that inhabit the area at least i got to see the remains of a horseshoe crab.

We could not believe there is such a place like Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge existed in New York City, not far from the JFK airport. You can get there by the D train and walk for a mile. We chose to drive. There is a parking lot just outside the visitor center. To our surprise, the entrance to the refuge is free. The refuge consists of two parts, the west pond trail which is behind the visitor center and the east pond trail which is across the street. Most people would walk around the west pond trail since it is just behind the visitor center. It used to be a closed loop trail which took 40 minutes to complete. After Super Storm Sandy, a small portion of the trail (less than 100 feet) was damaged and has not been repaired. As a result, it took us 90 minutes to complete the trail. There is a Osprey nest in the shorter portion of the trail. To see the Manhattan skylines from afar, one needs to walk along the longer trail. I would strongly recommend to walk the east pond trail because there is a look out into the Big John pond where you can get a close up with the waterfouls. The trail from the entrance of the east pond trail to the big John pond is about 10 minute walk. There is a small exhibition in the visitor center. and the ranger stationed there was friendly and knowledgeable.

Alight the D train to Rockaway at Broad Channel, Queens, turn right and walk 1mile to the Park Reception Centre, sign in with the lovely Edguardo the Ranger and spend as long as you wish up until dusk exploring the walking trails, looking for turtles, terrapins, weird helmet crabs and whatever bird life happens to be flying past at the time. Excellent. And Free. Toilets but no cafe.Incidentally if you turn left out of the subway & walk to the toll bridge you get to the Rock & Roll Bagel cafe / takeaway ( about 100m from the tollbooths), which is also excellent, not free, but very reasonable.

A walk around Gateway NRA in the Jamaica Bay sanctuary is walk that makes you forget you are in New York City. Parking is free in the sizable lot. Stop at the small visitor center and have the ranger explain some of the wonderful trails you can take around the sanctuary. Bird watching is particularly enjoyable, so bring a pair of binoculars. Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy wiped out the circular trail that used to wind around the entire facility, so you can only go so far on the largest trail, but there is more than enough to see here anyway. This is a beautiful day out for nature lovers.

Birds of all sorts, water fowl, warblers and owls, as well as swift, slicing through the air types, too quick to be recognized. Free flowing currents and swaying grasses and shrubs alive with butterfies.Nature thriving in view of the city scapes. Good people running the place, too.

Birds of all sorts, water fowl, warblers and owls, as well as swift, slicing through the air types, too quick to be recognized. Free flowing currents and swaying grasses and shrubs alive with butterfies.Nature thriving in view of the city scapes. Good people running the place, too.

Tip Best to have sun cream, food and water. Good boots or shoes in case of mud etc. Bit tricky to get to and get around. I first went by subway to Broadway Channel, walked out to Cross Bay Blvd. I was advised to catch a bus but there didn't seem to be a stop close by. So I recommend take the subway to Rockaway Blvd. Go down the steps and catch the bus no Q53 or Q52. The stop is on cross bay blvd and liberty ave. Go to the 3rd stop just at the centres entrance. It is a fair drive. The centre is on the right. There are toilets in the centre but no food. They do sell water. If you at there for birds don't go to the west pool . It has been breached with sea water and is no longer a circular walk. However you won't be disappointed by the area across the road. I went really at the wrong time of year but there were a variety of species there.The main entrance is immediately opposite the centre. That takes you to 2 good spots. One is Big Johns pond, which has a hide, and then another down to the water and a another hide. There is a further access is over the road turn right , then some 75 yards down the road you will see a metal post and what is a pathway in between bushes and trees. That will take you to the water at one single point. Then to the right there is a very narrow path between tall reeds to the flatsalso. Be cautious not to disturb the birds by moving quickly and bear in mind tides. There other points much further away which I didn't have time to get to.

really pleasant and surreal outdoor experience. at once you experience a quiet hideaway for birdwatching and exporing; at the same time, you can see the city skyline and the airport.

Great for all ages. Easy walking paths for children, interesting for grownups. Sights change with seasons.

My wife and I have been coming here for many years, and love the place. Whether you're looking to do some serious birding or nature photography, or just want some exercise and a nice walk outdoors, this is the haven in the metropolis for you! The relatively new Visitor Center, a LEED certified "green" building, is fabulous, and the Ranger-guided walks and other programs are excellent. Just dress for the weather (it gets terribly windy on the Bay), wear sunscreen as needed, and bring water in summer.

We rented a car and spent almost three hours here! The visitor centre is very informative with displays and information. It provides a lot of good information before setting out on your walk. We saw so many migratory and nesting birds. We were unable to get very close to the water which made if more challenging to get some good shots, but I ended up with a few beauties! I would recommend it as a daylong destination. Being a lunch or snacks as there are tables just outside the visitor centre. I think I got my best shot sitting there. What a haven in the middle of a big city!

This is an amazing place to watch all kinds of wildlife within a major metropolitan area. It is also a safe place to simply walk and enjoy the shoreline. The terrain is flat, and many locals come here to exercise. The two ponds and trails comprising the park are artificial environmental projects created during the construction of JFK airport, but this doesn't stop birds, turtles, and small mammals from populating the area, and even when the park is filled with visitors, one can often spot osprey, ibis, herons, egrets, all kinds of ducks and geese, and different songbirds in the brush. There are owls here as well, but you may not see them as the park closes as dusk. It is a major migratory stopping point, so you will see different species depending on when you visit. The visitor center provides maps and books for sale. Entrance is free, but you will need to register before entering the park. Local chapters of environmental groups, such as the American Littoral Society and Audubaun, host guided hikes. There are also kid-friendly educational displays and occasional art exhibits in the center. Dogs are not permitted and if you try to sneak in a pet, you will be caught. Also, bikes and running are not allowed for the benefit of the fragile ecosystem.Getting to the visitor center by public transit takes some planning. You can take the Rockaway bound A train (make sure you are not on a Lefferts A) to Broad Channel station and walk to the visitor center. This will give you an opportunity to see picturesque Broad Channel. However, it's a bit of a hike. A shorter option is to get off the A train at Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park and catch the Q53 Limited bus, which stops right outside the visitor center. Make sure to tell the driver where you're going as they often blow by the refuge, even if the bell is rung!For those driving, parking is free and safe as the lot is right next to the visitor center. Still, you will need to lock your windows and doors. You are in New York City even if it doesn't feel like it.Beware, there is no food or drink other than a water fountain available at the visitor center! The nearest store is a ways away. Bring your own snacks and eat them at the designated picnic area outside the center, or walk back to Broad Channel when you're done for a slice at Tommy's Pizza.

Fui muito bem recepcionada pela equipe que trabalha lá. Me deram um mapa demonstrando quais rotas lá dentro eu poderia fazer e também me passaram a dica para visitar a reserva florestal da frente. A entrada é gratuita.O parque, no fundo, não é muito grande porque, como é uma reserva, você não pode ir andando em qualquer lugar e nem pode pisar no mato ou na parte "praia", que eles chamam. Não havia nenhum pássaro voando por lá, mas as fontes indicam que no Outono há bandos de patos e gansos por lá. Deve ser mais para o meio e final de Outubro. Você deve seguir as regras de não fumar, não comer, não sujar não pegar flores, etc. Eu achei um passeio gostoso, mas fiquei decepcionada em não ver nenhum pássaro.