Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Birding

The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, in Genesee and Orleans counties, New York, was established in 1958 to provide nesting, resting and feeding grounds for ducks, geese and other water-loving birds. This Refuge contains 10,818 acres of marsh, swamp, woodland, shrub and thicket, wet meadow, pasture, old field and cropland. Primary Refuge objectives include offering food, rest, and protection for birds, especially in spring and fall migration, and providing nature-oriented recreation for people.

Public use includes nature study, especially bird watching and observation of concentrations of migrating waterfowl from convenient overlooks, walking nature trails, photography, hunting, fishing, and leisurely driving through the Refuge.

Birding is best from March through November. Peak migrations of waterfowl are in mid-April and early October. May is the best time to observe warblers, with the most species likely to be seen between the tenth and the twenty-first of the month. Visitors can readily view summering waterfowl and their broods. One can always expect to see some interesting birds on a tour of the Refuge, regardless of the season.

Enjoy yourself. Whether you're a seasoned birder or a beginner, we wish you a rewarding and memorable experience from this visit to your Refuge.

This resource lists 266 birds that have been identified on the Refuge, and is in accordance with the Sixth American Ornithologists' Union Checklist.
More Information

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Birds of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, New York. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Unpaginated. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.goviroquois.htm (Version 22MAY98).