FALL MIGRATION ON THE ROCKAWAY PENINSuLA
October 3 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Leader: Ryan Goldberg
No registration required. Meet at 8 AM at the Arverne East Nature Preserve at Beach 44th St. on the Rockaway Peninsula.
Focus: Arverne East Nature Preserve, in the eastern Rockaways, is a newly restored 35-acre parcel of coastal habitat wedged between the A train and the boardwalk. Despite its size, it can be an exceptional place for observing fall migrants, from sparrows on the ground to diurnal migrants like raptors, blackbirds, and finches flying west along the barrier beach. Local conservation groups have planted cedars, pitch pines, and bayberries to establish a maritime forest. Beyond the boardwalk, the ocean is a great place to look for migrating shorebirds, seabirds, and waterfowl.
Notes: The preserve is accessible via public transit: take a Far Rockaway-bound A train to Beach 44th St. There is also an on-site parking lot for those who wish to drive. Depending on conditions, we’ll likely spend 2-3 hours at the preserve. For those who wish to continue birding, there will be the option of taking the A train to Broad Channel (or driving) to spend a few hours at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
The terrain is flat, with boardwalks through the preserve. We’ll also walk a short distance on the beach, so wear appropriate footwear. The pace will be slow and the morning may also include a short seawatch from the boardwalk or the preserve’s visitor center.
Please bring lunch if you plan to stay through the morning. The visitor center has bathrooms and water fountains.
Send questions to Ryan.Goldberg@gmail.com.
More information:
On the creation of the preserve: https://www.aiany.org/membership/oculus-magazine/article/winter-2024/street-level-arverne-east-nature-preserve/
Arverne East Nature Preserve on eBird: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L26660336