Where to bird watch on LI
Fall is the ideal time to go out and get a good look at the many birds on Long Island.
Why? Because this little island that sticks out into the Atlantic is in the jet stream, and, more important, in the flight path of birds coming from the north and the west.
Before you head into the wild, you need to know a few things to make the trip more successful and enjoyable.
Bring binoculars, a birding book, water and a snack. Also, carry along birdseed and nuts. Wear comfortable shoes. Dress in layers because there may be a lot of standing and waiting.
While it is a kid-appropriate hobby, it isn't always kid-friendly because of the waiting. You might want to start the younger ones out with a bird feeder in the backyard.
Here are some events and groups for novice and midlevel birders (yes, that's what you're called).
South Shore Audubon Society 516-486-7667 ssaudubon.org
Where: Various parks and preserves (Oct. 12 at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve; Oct. 19 at Massapequa Preserve)
When: 9:30 a.m. Sundays
Cost: Parking fees apply.
What you might see: Plovers, egrets, herons, peregrine falcons, merlins, hawks
Why go: Weekly walks with past president Elliott Kutner. Canceled only for rain, snow or temperature colder than 30 degrees. "Long Island sticks 125 miles into the ocean," says Kutner, who co-founded the group 39 years ago. "We're one of the few places migrating birds can stop, feed up and move on." On nonstrenuous walks, birders will see creatures migrating south and east.
Also try: From the North Fork to Huntington, Long Island has active Audubon societies. Many host similar nature walks; visit audubon.org .
Garvies Point Preserve 50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove 516-571-8010 garviespointmuseum.com
When: 8:30 a.m.-dusk
Cost: $3 adults
What you might see: Warblers, hawks, herons, birds of prey
Why go: If there is a novice walker's ideal spot, Garvies is it. Multiple habitats -- fields, thickets, ponds, old woodland, young woodland, shore -- mean multiple types of birds.
"A lot of different types of birds nest here and migrate through here," says Kathy Natalie, curator and North Shore Audubon Society member. "We have five miles of trails and 2,000 feet of shoreline." The North Shore Audubon Society also hosts birding walks here Wednesdays.
Sunken Meadow State Park Route 25A off the Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park 631-269-4333 nysparks.state.ny.us
When: Sunrise-dusk daily
Cost: $6 parking
What you might see: Songbirds, hawks, geese, swans, ducks, egrets, herons, birds of prey
Why go: Because of the park's tidal marsh area, great basin area and mudflats, there is a plethora of species available regularly. A display of birds in the park near the main office in the breezeway will help you along. "You need to avoid high-traffic areas," said Enrico Nardone, member of the Seatuck Environmental Association. "If you go to the tidal marsh area, you'll see a lot of native and nonnative species."
Morton National Wildlife Refuge 784 Noyack Rd., Sag Harbor 631-286-0485 fws.gov/northeast /longislandrefuges
When: Half-hour before dawn to half an hour after dusk
Cost: $4 a car
What you might see: Chickadees, titmice, catbirds, cardinals, turkeys (along the trail to the beach), woodpeckers, terns, belted kingfishers, ducks, hawks and sanderlings.
Why go: Habitats include woodland, seashore and marsh. Besides, who would pass up the chance to have a chickadee eat from your hand?
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