Bald Eagles in the Boroughs: A Summer Visit to Mount Loretto
I can’t believe it’s August already. Summer always seems to slip away faster than I expect, and this one has been especially hot. With the heat comes an almost instinctive urge to escape the city and disappear into nature. For me, summer birding usually means heading to the coast, and one of my favorite escapes is tucked away on Staten Island.
Mount Loretto Unique Area has become a summer tradition. Not just for its breezy shoreline and scenic trails, but because it offers something truly rare—a breeding pair of Bald Eagles raising their young within the five boroughs of New York City.
Getting There Is Half the Adventure
Coming from Queens, the trip to Mount Loretto takes some effort, especially on summer weekends when the MTA takes full advantage of lighter traffic to schedule repairs. Train delays and rerouted connections are part of the experience. But for anyone used to birding across boroughs, it’s a familiar challenge.
We started by taking the subway into Manhattan. First to Grand Central, then downtown to Whitehall Terminal. From there, we caught the Staten Island Ferry and took in the breeze across the harbor. Watching gulls and cormorants trail the boat, seeing the skyline fade behind us, and passing the amazing Statue of Liberty never gets old. It still gives me goosebumps.
By the time we arrive, we’re usually ready for a slower pace. And Mount Loretto delivers. It’s quiet. Open. Breezy. The kind of place where you instantly feel like you’ve left the city behind.
A True Urban Wildlife Sanctuary
Mount Loretto is one of those places that seems to hold everything at once: forest, meadows, wetlands, beach, and a bluff. Once a Catholic orphanage, the land is now a protected state preserve, offering more than 200 acres of natural beauty on Staten Island’s southern shore. That includes roughly 18 acres of wetland.
You can wander shady trails, pause by a pond to watch for herons, or head down to the beach to scan for gulls, terns, ospreys, and eagles. There’s even a small oceanfront observation deck, and depending on the season, you might spot harbor seals up on the rocks.
Just a quick note. Most of the photos in this post are from my summer visits, but I included a few Harbor Seal shots from March 2019. I wanted to show just how much Mount Loretto has to offer throughout the year. You never know what you’ll see.
But the real stars for me are the eagles.
And they’re not alone. On our two visits this summer, we saw:
- • Adult and Juvenile Bald Eagles
- • Ospreys, including young ones on the nest and the adults fishing
- • Great Blue Herons patrolling the pond
- • Eastern Cottontail rabbits nibbling along the trail
- • White-tailed Deer browsing in the underbrush
- • Groundhogs, including one especially massive one
- • Warblers and other songbirds weaving through the foliage
The trails are well marked and easy to navigate. There’s even a porta-potty near the main entrance. It’s not glamorous, but it’s clean and helpful if you’re staying for the day.
Close Encounters and Wild Moments
This year brought a few especially memorable moments.
One of them happened while we were on the beach, looking toward the trees in search of eagles. Out of nowhere, I heard a splash—an osprey dove right into the water just feet away from us. It wasn’t successful this time, but the sheer energy of the moment had everyone scrambling to capture it. The air was electric. And of course, the first thing people asked was, “Did you get it?”
Another time, while walking along the beach, I looked down to check my camera settings. Suddenly someone shouted, “Watch out!” I looked up and two deer were running straight toward us. Just as quickly, they veered off into the bushes. My heart was racing, and there was no time to get a shot. We all had a good laugh though.
On our earlier trip this month, as we were heading back from the beach, we turned a corner and spotted three or four Eastern Cottontail rabbits chasing each other across a patch of grass. They were running, jumping, and darting around like kids playing tag. Usually, rabbits bolt the moment they see you, but this time they didn’t seem to care. It felt like one was yelling, “Mom! Jack won’t stop chasing me!” It was so fun to witness.
Some parts of these trips are peaceful—just sitting and looking out over the ocean or into the trees. Other moments make your heart race with excitement as you try to photograph the action. It’s the kind of day that holds both calm and chaos, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Familiar Faces and Shared Moments
Another thing I love about Mount Loretto? The people. Over the years, I’ve come to know some of the regulars—fellow birders, nature lovers, and friendly faces I often bump into when I least expect it.
On this trip, I ran into a few friends I hadn’t seen in months or years. There’s a quiet joy in that. A wave, a smile, a quick update on what birds have been spotted. The conversation always starts the same way: “How have you been? What are you seeing?” That shared rhythm is one of the best parts of birding in New York.
From the Field to the Studio
Moments like these are why I do what I do. For me, photography isn’t just about capturing wildlife. It’s about sharing the joy, the awe, and the quiet magic of these encounters. Especially in a place like New York.
That’s why I created my online store: DennisNewsham.com. It’s where my photography lives beyond the camera—where images become part of everyday life. Whether it’s a puzzle, a pillow cover, a tote bag, or a tea towel featuring moments like the ones I captured here, my goal is to help others bring a little wild New York into their homes.
“Wild New York … Where City Meets Nature” isn’t just a slogan. It’s the heart of everything I do—connecting people with the overlooked beauty just beyond the noise.
Visit DennisNewsham.com to explore the full collection.
One Last Look
As always, we kept a respectful distance, using long lenses and quiet footsteps. Watching the juvenile eagles explore the skies while their parents kept watch was a moving reminder of how resilient and accessible nature can be—even in a city of 8 million people.
Mount Loretto never disappoints. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, there’s always something new to see.
And for me, it’s one more reason to keep walking, keep watching, and keep sharing.
And stay tuned—Wild New York 2026 is coming soon.
It’s filled with some of my favorite moments from this past year, and I can’t wait to share them with you.
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