Saturday, August 24
10am - 2pm
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
175-10 Cross Bay Boulevard
Queens, NY
Free
​
It's that time of year again. Join the American Littoral Society, New York City Bird Alliance, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, NYC Plover Project and Gateway National Recreation Area in August, the perfect time to explore the diversity of New York City’s shorebirds at our 19th Annual Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival. Meet at 9 am at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for a hike to the East Pond with our resident and visiting shorebird experts.

The festival is kid-friendly and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Event is Free, please consider adding a donation with your registration to support the festival.

This event is in partnership with NYC Bird Alliance, NYC Parks, NYC Plover Project and Gateway NPS.

General schedule for the day (subject to change/modify):
  • 9:00am - Join the early birders for a walk around the West Pond with NYC Bird Alliance and the Young Conservationists
  •  9:30am - Meet our festival partners at the visitor center and come inside to enjoy some light refreshments.
  • 10am - "Jamaica Bay Refuge Shorebirds: History, Beauty, and Management"- Indoor slide program by Don Riepe. Location: Inside the Visitor Center Conference Room
  • 10:30am - Hike to East Pond with shorebird experts Kevin Karlson, Tom Burke, and Don Riepe. See birds up close and personal! Kid friendly, bring your rubber boots! Location: Across the street on Crossbay Blvd. (see marked trail map provided by NPS on the day)
  • Noon-1pm - Downtime and kid friendly program - Junior Ranger Birder Walk offered by NPS
  • 1:00pm - "Shorebirds of North America" by noted author and expert Kevin Karlson. Digital indoor program. Location: Inside the Visitor Center Conference Room
 
See you there!
How to get there:
  • Use these GPS coordinates in your maps app: 40.616855,-73.824521
  • The Refuge has parking for those coming by car.
  • For those coming by public transportation: The Q-53-SBS Bus or the Q-52-SBS Bus stops right in front of the Refuge Visitor Center on Cross Bay Blvd.
  • You can also take the Rockaway/JFK-Bound A-train and get off at Broad Channel station then walk about 15 minutes North up and away from town on Crossbay Blvd.
Can't attend but want to become a member? Click here to read about membership benefits and how to join!