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Wallkill River Refugespring migration

Wildlife refuge

At Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, waterfowl numbers are especially impressive in spring, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak). Its usual window for this year has passed.

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Local timing
Spring

About Wallkill River Refuge

What it is
A wildlife refuge in New Jersey
What you'll see
Spring waterfowl · spring (a season)
Before you go
  • What to bring: Bug repellent and plenty of water.
Sources (1)

Your guide to the area

Best spots and nearby places
Places on this map (2)
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census; spot positions agency pages.

Where to watch

Around Wallkill River Refuge

In season first, then nearest; straight-line miles
Show all 20 →
  • An arched white bridge over a creek and a small waterfall, with yellow and orange trees around it

    Vanderbilt Mansion

    Fall color in New York

    52 mi away

    Usual peak: Mid-October

  • A sailboat with a bright striped sail on blue water, a wooded shoreline and four tall striped smokestacks in the distance

    Target Rock Refuge

    Ospreys in New York

    62 mi away

    Season: March – September

  • A reservoir winding between hills covered in orange and yellow trees under a clear blue sky

    Western Catskills

    Fall color in New York

    66 mi away

    Statewide timing: By mid-October

  • North-South Lake

    Fall color in New York

    74 mi away

    Statewide timing: By mid-October

  • A small pale gray and white shorebird with an orange, black-tipped bill and orange legs walking on sand

    Fire Island

    Piping plovers and monarchs in New York

    85 mi away

    In stages: From March to September

  • Several paddleboarders and a canoe on a wide, calm river lined with marsh grass and trees

    Wertheim Refuge

    Waterfowl in New York

    92 mi away

    Best viewing: Late October through early April

  • Aerial view of marsh and forest in fall on the Connecticut coast

    McKinney Refuge

    Fall color in Connecticut

    109 mi away

    Usual peak: Mid- to late October

  • A pale shell-covered beach curving along calm blue water, with low shrubs and a wooded point beyond

    Morton Refuge

    Waterfowl in New York

    115 mi away

    Best viewing: Late October through early April

  • Sunset over the marsh seen from an observation tower

    Forsythe Refuge

    Warblers in New Jersey

    120 mi away

    Most numerous: Early May

  • Ithaca

    Fall color in New York

    131 mi away

    Statewide timing: By mid-October

  • Branches of red and orange oak leaves against a deep blue sky

    Saratoga Springs

    Fall color in New York

    136 mi away

    Statewide timing: By mid-October

  • A flock of birds taking off over the refuge

    Bombay Hook

    Waterfowl in Delaware

    142 mi away

    Season: Nov–Dec

  • Rolling wooded hills and pasture strips in orange, red and gold fall color under a blue sky with white clouds

    Finger Lakes National Forest

    Fall color in New York

    149 mi away

    Statewide timing: By mid-October

  • Dark cormorants standing on a line of rocks in rippled water, with green shrubs and wooded hills behind

    Ninigret Refuge

    Spring and fall migration in Rhode Island

    150 mi away

    Best viewing: Spring migration

Next season here: Spring waterfowl, spring.

The year at Wallkill River Refuge

  • Spring waterfowl numbersspring
  • Mallards, wood ducks, teal and black ducks stay for summersummer
  • Wintering raptorswinter

Questions people ask

When is the best time to see spring migration at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge?

Season: spring. Waterfowl numbers are especially impressive in spring, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak).

Is spring migration under way at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge right now?

Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: spring, local timing.

When are there the most ducks at Wallkill River Refuge?

Waterfowl numbers are especially impressive in spring: at the peak, two to three thousand northern pintails, two thousand green-winged teal and up to a thousand ring-necked ducks.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What should I bring to Wallkill River Refuge?

Bug repellent and plenty of drinking water.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What can I see at Wallkill River Refuge in winter?

Raptors, a big attraction for wildlife photographers and watchers.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge?

The best spots are Dagmar Dale Nature Trail (Sussex, NJ) and Owens Station Crossing (Sussex, NJ). Dagmar Dale Nature Trail (Sussex, NJ): at refuge headquarters, with public restrooms open daily all year. Owens Station Crossing (Sussex, NJ): at 136 Owens Station Road, one of the refuge's most-visited public use areas.

What is Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge has something to see in 9 months of the year. Spring waterfowl numbers: Mar–May. Mallards, wood ducks, teal and black ducks stay for summer: Jun–Aug. Wintering raptors: Dec–Feb.

How we know · Sources (2)

How we know

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3)

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