Jamaica Bay, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in the Northeast and a crucial stopover habitat for migrating shorebirds. Its 9,155 acres boast of richly diverse habitats including salt marsh, both brackish and freshwater ponds, upland fields and woods, and a constellation of islands stretching across the bay. Over 325 bird species have been sighted here in the past 25 years, and while migration time draws birds (and birders) in the greatest numbers, the refuge also provides valuable breeding territory for over 75 species: Osprey, barn owl, Forster’s tern, and many wading birds make their home here.

New York City Audubon has undertaken a number of projects to preserve, restore, and monitor this City wildlife haven. Our work in Jamaica Bay tackles environmental stewardship from multiple angles—by improving the habitat for the birds and other animals who call it home, and by helping New Yorkers learn more about this natural wonder in their own backyard.

Spring brings thousands of shorebirds to Jamaica Bay in search of sustenance, prior to their long journey to northern breeding grounds. Upon arrival, many rely on eggs of the horseshoe crab—an ancient species on the road to recovery from past over-harvesting. Jamaica Bay beaches serve as an important horseshoe crab spawning ground, and New York City Audubon scientist John Rowden has implemented a project to improve breeding success. From April to July, local high school and public volunteer groups remove tons of man-made debris blocking access to spawning beaches, and count horseshoe crabs and shorebird species at selected ongoing monitoring sites. In 2009 and 2010, hundreds of participants cleared beaches of tons of trash and counted thousands of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds.

Out beyond Jamaica Bay’s beaches, a series of islands provide a home to many of the refuge’s most spectacular breeding residents: egrets, herons, and ibis. New York City Audubon’s popular Harbor Herons project monitors the population of colonial wading birds on all of the New York harbor islands, which constitute a last refuge for many of these birds in the metropolitan area: In fact, our harbor colonies constitute a full one-third of the northeast’s entire breeding population. On Jamaica Bay’s islands, NYC Audubon Director of Conservation Susan Elbin reported a healthy population of 657 pairs in 2010, including great and snowy egrets, tricolored herons, and glossy ibis, along with many great black-backed gulls and Forster’s terns, among others.

New York City Audubon’s Education and Outreach programs are active in Jamaica Bay as well. Local school groups participate in hands-on environmental study programs integrated into their school curriculums, and we raise awareness about Jamaica Bay’s conservation needs at events around the bay. The annual Shorebird Festival (a joint project with the American Littoral Society and Gateway National Recreation Area) takes place in August, featuring guided tours and an educational presentation. Finally, nature walks, birding workshops, butterfly counts, and even a sunset nature cruise take place throughout the year, in order to provide New Yorkers plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with Jamaica Bay’s varied wildlife.

Looking to the future, New York City Audubon will continue to expand its conservation and education projects around the bay. Look for opportunities to volunteer as a citizen scientist or help with other conservation action. Next summer’s Shorebird Festival will include more extensive tours and presentations, and is not to be missed—put it on your calendars!

To contribute to NYC Audubon’s efforts in Jamaica Bay and across NYC's five boroughs, please visit NYC Audubon's Secure Donation Page.

NYC Audubon's projects in Jamaica Bay are a collaborative effort with numerous non-profit organizations and government agencies including the American Littoral Society, Jamaica Bay Eco Watchers, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the National Park Service. NYC Audubon's conservation and education programs in Jamaica Bay are made possible by the support of NYC Audubon's members and individual contributors as well as National Audubon's TogetherGreen, funded by Toyota, and the Bodman Foundation.