Tidal Bays and Marshes
Saltwater wetlands are very productive habitats for birds. They act as nesting sites for dozens of species of breeding birds, and are important staging areas for migrating landbirds. In winter, huge flocks of waterfowl that breed in the arctic call New York’s tidal bays and marshes home. Tidal bays and marshes are among our most vulnerable wildlife habitats, because they occur in the most densely populated parts of the state.
Thirty-six of Audubon New York’s Important Bird Areas are found in tidal bays, marshes and estuaries.
The Hudson River Estuary is a mix of fresh and salty waters. It experiences daily tides all the way to the first barrier on the river channel—the Federal Dam at Troy, some 154 miles upriver from New York City.
- Schodack Island State Park
- Stockport Flats
- Tivoli Bays
- Constitution Marsh Sanctuary
- Doodletown and Iona Island
- Lower Hudson River
Tidal bays and saltwater marshes are found along New York’s Atlantic coast and Long Island Sound.
| 7. Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary 8. Marshlands Conservancy 9. Huckleberry Island 10. Pelham Bay Park 11. North Brother/South Brother Islands 12. Harbor Herons Complex 13. Hoffman and Swinburne Island Complex 14. Jamaica Bay Complex 15. Little Neck Bay to Hempstead Harbor 16. West Hempstead Bay/Jones Beach West 17. Oyster Bay Area 18. Huntington and Northport Bays 19. Captree Island Vicinity 20. Great South Bay 21. Connetquot Estuary 22. Nissequogue River Watershed/Smithtown Bay | 23. Crane Neck to Misery Point 24. Fire Island 25. Carmen’s River Estuary 26. Moriches Bay 27. Shinnecock Bay 28. Peconic Bays and Flanders Bay 29. Mecox Sagaponack Coastal Dunes 30. Northwest Harbor/Shelter Island Complex 31. Orient Point/Plum Island 32. Accabonac Harbor 33. Napeague Harbor and Beach 34. Gardiner’s Island 35. Great Gull Island 36. Montauk Point |
