Prime Hook Refugespring migration
Spring waterfowl: the spring waterfowl migration peaks in March, with ducks, snow geese and Canada geese abundant, per the refuge's Nature's Calendar of Events (Fish and Wildlife Service). This year's season is over; the next is in 2027.
Right now in Prime Hook Refuge · September
- Fowler Beach closed for shorebird nesting (March 1 – October 1) · Mar–Sep
- Mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies can be very high (June–September) · Jun–Sep
153days to the next spring migration seasonMarch, local timing
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Fowler Beach closed for shorebird nesting (March 1 – October 1)NowMar–Sep
- Mar: Spring waterfowl migration peaks: ducks, snow geese and Canada geese (March)Mar
- Shorebirds: peak concentrations in May; migration continues to mid-JuneMay–Jun
- May: Warbler migration peaks (May)May
- May: Horseshoe Crab Festival (each May)May
- Mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies can be very high (June–September)NowJun–Sep
- Nov: Fall waterfowl migration peaks (November)Nov
Where to watch
- Dike TrailA half-mile (one-way), wheelchair-accessible foot trail at the headquarters area leading to an accessible observation platform overlooking the marsh
- Boardwalk TrailA half-mile, wheelchair-accessible loop through uplands and forested wetland and across 600 feet of freshwater marsh
Prime Hook Refuge in pictures
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prime Hook NWR: Nature's Calendar of Events (PDF) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prime Hook NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?
Spring waterfowl: the spring waterfowl migration peaks in March, with ducks, snow geese and Canada geese abundant, per the refuge's Nature's Calendar of Events (Fish and Wildlife Service): March. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is spring migration under way at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the spring migration season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 153 days (March, local timing).
Is there a fee, and when is the refuge open?
There's no entrance fee. The refuge is open every day from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. The visitor center at 12322 Turkle Pond Road, Milton (off Route 16, 1.1 miles east of Route 1) is open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., depending on weather and volunteers.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prime Hook NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I walk on Fowler Beach in spring?
No. Fowler Beach is closed for shorebird nesting from March 1 to October 1. The rest of the year it's walk-in only, with no dogs on the beach.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prime Hook NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I paddle the whole Canoe Trail?
As of September 2026, no: the eastern part of the Canoe Trail is heavily silted in, so the refuge asks paddlers to go only west from Foord's Landing. You can't get from Foord's Landing to the headquarters boat ramp by water.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there bugs?
From June through September mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies can be very high. Tuck pant legs into socks and use insect repellent, and watch for poison ivy. The refuge is carry-in, carry-out, so take your trash with you.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prime Hook NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?
Dike Trail: a half-mile (one-way), wheelchair-accessible foot trail at the headquarters area leading to an accessible observation platform overlooking the marsh; Boardwalk Trail: a half-mile, wheelchair-accessible loop through uplands and forested wetland and across 600 feet of freshwater marsh.
When is the festival in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?
Horseshoe Crab Festival (each May), usually in May.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?
Fowler Beach closed for shorebird nesting (March 1 – October 1) (Mar–Sep).
What is Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring waterfowl migration peaks: ducks, snow geese and Canada geese (March) (Mar), Shorebirds: peak concentrations in May; migration continues to mid-June (May–Jun), Warbler migration peaks (May) (May), Fall waterfowl migration peaks (November) (Nov), Fowler Beach closed for shorebird nesting (March 1 – October 1) (Mar–Sep), Horseshoe Crab Festival (each May) (May) and Mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies can be very high (June–September) (Jun–Sep).