Croton Point Park

Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and Blue–Gray Gnatcatcher, from “Birds of New York” (1915), Cornell University Library.

Croton-on-Hudson, New York

Croton Point Park, a 508-acre site situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River in Westchester County, is part of the Lower Hudson River Important Bird Area.

One of the most critical wintering Bald Eagle sites in the state, and becoming an important breeding area for Bald Eagles. Croton Point Park supports wintering and breeding grassland birds including the Northern Harrier (year-round), Short-eared Owl (up to six individuals in winter), Grasshopper Sparrow (observed in breeding season), Vesper Sparrow (observed during migration), and Henslow’s Sparrow (observed during migration). Supports about 10% of the state’s winter Bald Eagle population. —audubon.org

Proximity to the river makes this a great location for Bald Eagles in the winter, as well as a variety of waterfowl, including Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye. Great-horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls can be seen, and the capped landfill, now a meadow, provides habitat for sparrows, American Pipits, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and Lapland Longspurs, depending on the season. Occasionally, Long-Eared Owls are present, and a Northern Wheatear has stopped by in the past.

On your way south to Croton-on-Hudson, stop at Charles Point Pier Park for Great Cormorants (in the winter), waterfowl, Bald Eagles, Fish Crows, and gulls; and then move on to George’s Island Park for more eagles and waterfowl, including the occasional Red-throated Loon.