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Wildlife in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Here’s what naturalists are spotting in Jamaica Bay right now - pulled live from recent research-grade observations. Browse by group, explore the map, and identify what you find with Huck.

8,392
recent observations
30
species listed
24
birds
5
plants
1
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 8,392 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Jamaica Bay. The most frequently seen is the Northern Yellow Warbler, with 481 recorded sightings.

Birds account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (24 of the species listed here), followed by plants (5).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist📋 Printable field sheet

Most-observed species in Jamaica Bay

Northern Yellow Warbler
Setophaga aestiva
481 observations
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
445 observations
Rugosa Rose
Rosa rugosa
394 observations · iNaturalist
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
387 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
377 observations
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
371 observations
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
341 observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
333 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
332 observations
Shining Sumac
Rhus copallinum
293 observations
Great Egret
Ardea alba
288 observations
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
281 observations
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
276 observations
Brant
Branta bernicla
260 observations
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
259 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
259 observations
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla
257 observations
Least Sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
254 observations
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
246 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
229 observations
Snowy Egret
Egretta thula
221 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
221 observations
Low Pricklypear
Opuntia humifusa
212 observations
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescens
202 observations
American Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
200 observations
Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
197 observations
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
197 observations
Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula
196 observations
Common Soapwort
Saponaria officinalis
194 observations · iNaturalist
Gadwall
Mareca strepera
189 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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