One Last Look Before the City: Birding at Marine Nature Study Area

Sunset at Marine Nature Study Area

As the sun began to dip, we made our way to the final stop of the day: the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside, a peaceful wetland I’ve visited in 2022, 2024, and now in 2025. Each time, it manages to surprise me. Even with just over an hour before the park closed, I knew this final stretch would be the perfect end to our birding journey.

The staff greeted us with a friendly reminder about closing time, but it wasn’t just about the schedule. They also shared the day’s birding highlights, including reports of Little Blue Herons—something I’d hoped to spot. Though we didn’t catch sight of them ourselves, just knowing they had been around fueled that classic birder’s hope: always chasing the next great sighting, always alert.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron - Marine Nature Study Area - 2024 Dennis Newsham

Yellow-crowned Night Heron - Marine Nature Study Area - 2022 Dennis Newsham

Yellow-crowned Night Heron - Marine Nature Study Area 2022 Dennis Newsham

Why the Marine Nature Study Area Never Disappoints

The Marine Nature Study Area is a birder’s paradise. Boardwalks that seem to look as if they float gently over marshlands offer unobstructed views of this thriving habitat. Above us, Barn and Tree Swallows darted in the breeze. Ospreys, their nests perched high, kept watch over their growing chicks. A few Yellow-crowned Night Herons, still in juvenile plumage, stalked the shallows with quiet grace. Snowy and Great Egrets moved through the reeds like ghosts. And then, a Killdeer—silent, still, before it bolted into the air.

What I love most about this preserve is how accessible it is—wide paths, varied habitats, and a welcoming community of fellow birders. It’s a place where you can get lost in discovery but also feel connected to something greater. This 52-acre sanctuary, open since Earth Day 1970, was founded on the principles of environmental education and conservation—something you can still feel in every corner of the Marine Nature Study Area.

Map of Marine Nature Study Area

Willet - Marine Nature Study Area - 2024 Dennis Newsham

Willet - Marine Nature Study Area - 2022 Dennis Newsham

Willet - Marine Nature Study Area - 2024 Dennis Newsham

What We Missed—and Found—at the Marine Nature Study Area

We didn’t find the elusive Little Blue Herons, but in many ways, the other sights made up for it. A Willet posed perfectly on a branch, and I watched an Osprey glide effortlessly on the breeze above its nest as I have in the past. As the light softened, the ocean’s salty air lingered in the stillness, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the quiet beauty of this wetland.

I took one last deep breath, letting the birdsong and the smell of the ocean wash over me. The day had given me exactly what I needed.

This stop was the perfect ending—a reminder of why I bird in the first place: for those moments of connection, of quiet, of surprise. Though the city would soon call us back, out there on that boardwalk, everything else melted away.

More Than Just a Day Trip

Moments like this are exactly why I do what I do—not just photographing birds, but sharing their stories in ways that bring them into everyday life. I’ve always believed that photography shouldn’t just sit flat on a wall. It should move with you, comfort you, and inspire you.

Bringing the Wild Into Your World

That’s why I created DennisNewsham.com — to turn my photography into functional art that brings the wild into your world. From calendars to pillow covers, reusable bags, scarves, puzzles, and more, every item is designed to help you connect with nature, wherever you are.

Barn Swallow - Marine Nature Study Area - 2024 Dennis Newsham

Tree Swallow - Marine Nature Study Area - 2022 Dennis Newsham

Snowy Egret - Marine Nature Study Area -= 2022 Dennis Newsham

Swan Family - Marine Nature Study Area- 2022 Dennis Newsham

Muskrat - Marine Nature Study Area - Dennis Newsham

My motto is:
“Let the wild in.”

And I truly mean it. I hope this post and the photographs that accompany it give you a sense of the peace and wonder I felt on that boardwalk—and maybe even inspire you to seek out a little wild of your own.

Just 45 minutes from the city, this is one of my favorite places for birding near NYC. Whether you’re in search of Ospreys, egrets, or a quiet place to reflect, the Marine Nature Study Area always delivers

Great Horned Owl from Central Park Tote by Dennis Newsham

Snowy Owl form Queens NYC - Canvas Bag by Dennis Newsham

Swan from Brooklyn Bag by Dennis Newsham

Wildlife Themed Ceramic Coasters by Dennis Newsham

Yellow Warbler Cleaning Cloth by Dennis Newsham

Barred Owl Pillow Cover by Dennis Newsham

Red-tailed Hawk Tea Towel by Dennis Newsham