Edith Read Sanctuary, Rye

Edith Read Sanctuary is one of the top places to bird in Westchester County. It is a New York State Important Bird Area and a  part of the Westchester County parks system. (914) 967-8720

A spotting scope is useful here to pick out birds on the lake and sound. It has a large concentration of waterfowl in winter, mainly Greater and Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, American Wigeon and Black Duck. Most of the other ducks occur here in smaller numbers. There is also a large winter Great Blue Heron roost. Looks for what looks like gray rocks along the far shore and on the small islands. The sound has wintering loons, grebes, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. In late winter, early spring, look for migrating scoters and Northern Gannet. The sanctuary has yielded many rarities including Snow Bunting, Snowy Owl, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, and Eared Grebe.

The sanctuary adjoins Playland Amusement Park off U.S. Route 1 in Rye.
To reach Playland Park, take Exit 19 from Interstate-95 (New England Thruway) and go east on the Playland Parkway approximately 1.6 miles. Go around traffic circle and drive through the large parking lot and go to the far right corner. Another road leads out to the sanctuary.

Another good winter birding spot is Rye Beach. Take Forest Avenue south from Playland Parkway to fist left onto Dearborn, parking available on the left. Look for Purple Sandpipers on the jetty in winter.

For more information on the park check out Westchester County Park's Web Site

Birds of Westchester County

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