Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge Review
Looking for a new way to experience nature? We recently had birds eat right out of our hands at Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge.
When we visit family on the east coast, we always search for fun and unique outdoor experiences. Based on a recommendation as ‘a must for kids’ near Southampton, NY we ventured to Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge. For years, we had driven by the entrance to this park while heading to one of our favorite beach spots for the kids, but never stopped to visit until the summer of 2021. It turns out it’s an awesome spot for all ages and abilities to do a nature walk by the beach.
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge is over 187 acres of protected land on the Noyack and Little Peconic Bays. The refuge includes many different habitats, such as an upland forest, fields, ponds, a salt marsh, and the beach. Wildlife in the refuge surrounds you with white-tailed deer, eastern chipmunks, painted turtles, green frogs, songbirds and osprey all roaming around and easy to spot.
Before you head to the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge we recommend stopping at the store to pick up some bird seed, particularly a kind that has sunflower seeds. Our first visit we didn’t know we needed to bring any, but fortunately other more experienced visitors were kind enough to share and it made the visit so exciting! This year we were prepared and returned the favor by sharing our seed with another family.
When you arrive, there is a small parking lot for cars and a self-service pay station. As of June 2022, the daily fee was $4.00 and you can pay via credit card or cash (but there is no change, so be sure to have the exact amount if you go with cash). There are restrooms just past the start of the trail. While the trail is mostly shaded, be sure to grab your sunscreen, bug spray, and hand sanitizer.
As you walk along the trail you will hear the birds chirping. The flat shaded trail is great for all ages, abilities and even strollers. An all-terrain stroller would be best since the trail is not paved.
Now, time to feed the birds! We recommend trying to go in the morning before other visitors may have filled up all the feathered friends. As you walk along the trail look for a quiet, wooded spot. Hold you arm and hand out in front of you, facing the woods, wait patiently, and hold still and silent. Our experience is the birds who are hungry will first fly down to a low branch to check you out and then will decide to swoop in and grab a snack.
The birds fly in quickly so don’t be startled as they will fly away if you flinch. Their talons are a little rough, but it does not hurt. Most of the birds go for the sunflower seeds, but if you’re lucky they will eat a little bit in your hand and take a sunflower seed to go.
While the feeding the birds is the highlight of the visit, there are other wildlife to observe. This past visit we saw a deer, bunnies, chipmucks and a family of turkeys, including babies.
The trail ends at the bay. There is a ramp to a platform with free telescope viewers and benches if you need a little rest or want to enjoy a snack by the water. You can also walk along open areas of the beach. This time of year piping plover, terns, and other water birds use the beach for nesting. Parts of the beach area are roped off and the Jessup’s Neck peninsula is closed to protect the nesting habitats.
We hope if you’re in the area you check out this amazing spot. You can’t help but feel like an outdoorsy version of Snow White feeding the birds from your hands. If you aren’t headed to Long Island but know of a similar spot, please let us know in the comments below.
Have any hidden gems for taking your family outside? Let us know, we’d love to check them out.
We hope to see you outside.
