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About Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, Shirley, NY
Waterfowl numbers peak in the winter, while bird watching during the spring and fall migrations allows you to view a variety of birds including raptors, waterfowl and songbirds. Observation blinds are provided for your convenience.
DESCRIPTION: Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge consists of 2,400 acres on the south shore of Long Island, including the Carmans River, one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on Long Island. The refuge has a wide diversity of habitats, including oak-pine woodland, fields, ponds, a river, streams, bay, and fresh, brackish, and saltwater wetlands. These habitats attract and support a remarkable diversity and abundance of wildlife. The refuge is a haven for most species of wildlife found on Long Island, including waterfowl, deer, muskrats, fox, weasels, other small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, and aquatic wildlife, including game fish.
VISITOR USE ACTIVITIES: Visitors may park at the office and walk along the entrance road (open Monday-Friday, 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.). The one mile Indian Landing Nature Trail is accessible from the river only and provides access through the interior of the forest.
DIRECTIONS: From Route 27A (Montauk Highway), turn south onto Smith Road, just east of the Carmans River. Go 1/3 mile and the entrance is on the right.
