Target Rock Refugewildlife
Ospreys are a common sight along the bay in spring and summer, March to September, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.
Next 7 days at Target Rock Refuge
- TodayPartly Sunny72° / 62°–
- ThuPartly Sunny75° / 66°–
- FriMostly Sunny79° / 59°28% rain
- SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny68° / 56°20% rain
- SunPartly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers64° / 56°29% rain
- MonMostly Sunny64° / 45°14% rain
- TueSunny58° / 46°–
Today: sunrise 6:50 a.m., sunset 6:39 p.m., light until 7:07 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Warblers' Loop TrailA hilly 1-mile loop (about an hour) through the forest of the old formal gardens, where catbirds, cardinals, common yellowthroats and Carolina wrens use the azalea and rhododendron understory
- Rocky Beach TrailAn extension of the Warblers' Loop (3/4 mile, about 45 minutes, hilly) down to the rocky shoreline of Long Island's north shore
Nearby
- Fire Island25 mi2 separate phases, from from March to SeptemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Wertheim Refuge30 mi2 separate phases, from in the spring and summer months (March – September)SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Morton Refuge56 mi3 separate phases, from between mid-March and early AprilSatChance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Forsythe Refuge114 mi4 separate phases, from in spring (March, April, and May)SatChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
- Cape May Refuge148 mi2 separate phases, from June, July, and August is the time when our feathered families are raised and fledgedSatChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
- Umbagog Refuge297 mi2 separate phases, from Nesting season begins in May and may continue well into JulySatSunny
The year at Target Rock Refuge
- Ospreys along the bay, March to SeptemberNowMar–Sep
- Mar: Double-crested cormorants start returning to Long Island in late MarchMar
- Waterfowl on the Long Island refuges: best viewing late October to early April (the refuge complex's advice, not Target Rock alone)Oct–Apr
Target Rock Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge?
Ospreys are a common sight along the bay in spring and summer, March to September, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: in the spring and summer months (March – September). That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Is there a fee?
Yes: $4 per vehicle or $2 on foot or bike, or a $12 annual refuge pass. A current Federal Duck Stamp also covers the entrance fee.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Target Rock NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is it open?
From half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Target Rock NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog or bike?
No. Dogs and bikes are kept off the refuge because they disturb wildlife and can be a safety risk to other visitors.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Target Rock NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I fish from the shore?
Yes. Shore fishing is allowed with a free New York State saltwater fishing license; striped bass, bluefish, fluke, blackfish and porgy are common. There's no fish-cleaning station.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Target Rock NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there restrooms?
Yes, at the parking lot. Bring bug spray in spring and summer, and stay on the trails to avoid poison ivy and ticks.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Target Rock NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge?
Warblers' Loop Trail: a hilly 1-mile loop (about an hour) through the forest of the old formal gardens, where catbirds, cardinals, common yellowthroats and Carolina wrens use the azalea and rhododendron understory; Rocky Beach Trail: an extension of the Warblers' Loop (3/4 mile, about 45 minutes, hilly) down to the rocky shoreline of Long Island's north shore.
What is Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Ospreys along the bay, March to September (Mar–Sep), Double-crested cormorants start returning to Long Island in late March (Mar) and Waterfowl on the Long Island refuges: best viewing late October to early April (the refuge complex's advice, not Target Rock alone) (Oct–Apr).