Morton Refugewinter wildlife
At Morton Refuge, late October through early April are the best times to see waterfowl, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Right now at Morton Refuge
Right now in Morton Refuge · September
- Ospreys along the shoreline, March to September · Mar–Sep
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Elevated beach viewing platformLooks out over Little Peconic Bay and Noyack Bay, where large groups of black ducks, bufflehead and common goldeneye float in winter
- Jessup's Neck beachAlmost two miles of beach along the Jessup's Neck Peninsula, reached by the 1.2-mile Wild Birds Nature Trail; the nesting closure on part of the beach runs April to August
Nearby
- Wertheim Refuge30 miLate October through early April
- Great Meadows Refuge110 miNovemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
- Forsythe Refuge152 miDecember through FebruarySatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Rachel Carson Refuge195 mibeginning in early July and continuing through early NovemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Bombay Hook203 miNovember (the peak) and DecemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Eastern Neck Refuge245 mimid- to late November to the end of MarchSatPartly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
The year at Morton Refuge
- Ospreys along the shoreline, March to SeptemberNowMar–Sep
- Piping plovers arrive, mid-March to early AprilMar–Apr
- Mar: Harbor seals on the beach in MarchMar
- Part of the beach closed for nesting birds, April to AugustApr–Aug
- Jul: Heaviest use of the refuge by piping plovers, JulyJul
- Best times to see waterfowl: late October through early AprilOct–Apr
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge?
At Morton Refuge, late October through early April are the best times to see waterfowl, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: Late October through early April. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual winter wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: Late October through early April, local timing.
Which ducks can I see in winter?
Large groups of black ducks, bufflehead and common goldeneye floating in the bay. Chickadees, black ducks, wild turkeys and white-tailed deer are around all year.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Elizabeth A. Morton NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the whole beach open in winter?
The refuge closes part of the beach from April to August to protect nesting birds; that closure isn't in place in the October-to-April waterfowl season. Always respect posted closed areas.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Elizabeth A. Morton NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I ski or snowshoe here?
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are both on the refuge's list of activities. The refuge is open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Elizabeth A. Morton NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Will I see seals?
Possibly at the end of the season: the refuge points out harbor seals on the beach in March.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Elizabeth A. Morton NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge?
Elevated beach viewing platform: looks out over Little Peconic Bay and Noyack Bay, where large groups of black ducks, bufflehead and common goldeneye float in winter; Jessup's Neck beach: almost two miles of beach along the Jessup's Neck Peninsula, reached by the 1.2-mile Wild Birds Nature Trail; the nesting closure on part of the beach runs April to August.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge?
Part of the beach closed for nesting birds, April to August (Apr–Aug).
What is Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Ospreys along the shoreline, March to September (Mar–Sep), Piping plovers arrive, mid-March to early April (Mar–Apr), Heaviest use of the refuge by piping plovers, July (Jul), Part of the beach closed for nesting birds, April to August (Apr–Aug), Harbor seals on the beach in March (Mar) and Best times to see waterfowl: late October through early April (Oct–Apr).