Illustration
Harlequin ducks and winter sea ducks in Rhode Island
Sachuest Point Refuge
Wildlife refuge
Season
In the winter
Illustration
State guide
When to catch Rhode Islandthrough the year
We follow 1 place in Rhode Island for fall & winter wildlife: winter at Sachuest Point Refuge. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
Updated
When are you going?
Fall in Rhode Island
Good in fall
- Sachuest Point RefugeNorthern harriers, merlins and hawks, and the occasional snowy owl
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Rhode Island
Spring in Rhode Island
Good in spring
- Sachuest Point RefugeNorthern harriers, merlins and hawks, and the occasional snowy owl
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in Rhode Island
Good in summer
- Sachuest Point RefugeRed-winged blackbirds, goldfinches and cedar waxwings; piping plovers nest on the beach
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Places in Rhode Island
Pin color: each place's season now or next
Illustration
Harlequin ducks and winter sea ducks in Rhode IslandSachuest Point Refuge
Wildlife refuge
Season
In the winter
Planning a Rhode Island trip
Everything here from each place's own sources
Towns to stay in
Illustration
Town in Rhode Island · 25 mi from Sachuest Point Refuge
Providence
First frost
~Oct 30
Snow possible
~Dec 13
Frost dates: NOAA 1991–2020 normals at each town's nearest station. Snow possible: our calculation from NOAA normals. Photos show the nearest place we follow, named on the photo.
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Browse by season and event
- Fall & winter wildlife · 1 place hereFall & winter wildlife, everywhere →
Questions people ask
What should I look for in winter at Sachuest Point Refuge?
Sea ducks and loons offshore (harlequin duck, black scoter, long-tailed duck, common loon), and from fall through spring birds of prey, sometimes a snowy owl.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife watching at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the shoreline safe in rough weather at Sachuest Point Refuge?
Take care when waves are high and avoid wet rocks: they're slippery. Storms can also close the road to Sachuest; the town of Middletown posts closures.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Massachusetts · Connecticut · New Hampshire · Vermont
How we know
Every timing on this page, from these pages; checked Oct 2
- Oct 2Park ServiceWildlife watching at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (round 32, winter)Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife watching at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in a new tab)