Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Shinnecock East & Charles F. Altenkirk County Park
(Barrier Island - Southampton)

Most people know the Shinnecock East and Charles F. Altenkirk County Parks as favored places for beach camping, swimming and fishing. However, they are also one of the favored places to see the threatened piping plover and other rare bird species.

The piping plover was once common along Long Island’s beaches. It is a small, stocky, sand-colored shore bird that resembles a sandpiper. It has a distinctive black band across its forehead. The piping plover population has sharply declined for several reasons. Much of its beach-nesting habitat has been destroyed by housing and commercial construction. Even where its habitat has not been destroyed, its well-camouflaged nests are trampled or crushed by beach users and off-road vehicles. Plover nests are also preyed on when unthinking people let their dogs or cats roam unleashed on the dunes. Trash left by humans also endangers these birds because it attracts predators (raccoons, foxes, gulls and crows) that also prey on plover eggs and chicks.

Because of its decline, the U.S. government listed it as a protected and threatened species. Its beach nesting areas are now marked and fenced as “Restricted Areas.” Volunteer plover monitors check on their condition, while park brochures educate visitors.

The best piping plover nesting areas are located in the inner dune areas of the park’s eastern section. The nest area is completely surrounded by campsites, park roads and parking lots. The threatened least tern also nests in these same sites. These birds are best seen when they nest during April. You can watch them with binoculars from outside the fence perimeters. Do not enter the nest area or harass them!

The American bittern is seldom seen because of its excellent camouflage. However, it can be seen in the winter in the salt marshes along Dune Road. The occasional North Shrike can also be spied from the road in winter. A few exceedingly rare Iceland gulls are reported annually at the Shinnecock Inlet. Of course, a variety of shore, water, and marsh birds can also be observed during the seasons.

The park covers the east end of Shinnecock Island and the west tip of Shinnecock Spit peninsula. The Shinnecock Inlet separates the two sections. The park is a rugged barrier beach with both ocean and bay beach recreation areas.

For park information, or the status of bird nesting, call (631) 852-8899 (during warm season only).

How to Get There: This trip requires binoculars.
For the Charles F. Altenkirk (western) section, take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 63. Go south on Route 31 (Old Riverhead Road). Stay on Route 31 through the village of Westhampton Beach. Follow signs to “Westhampton Beach” and cross the bay bridge onto the barrier island. Turn left on Dune Road. Drive 7 miles until you enter Charles F. Altenkirk County Park (formerly known as Shinnecock Park West). On the way to, and through the park, stop and watch for bird life in marshes on the bay side. Then drive to the eastern tip and observe birds at the inlet. A spectacular view of the bay can be observed while traveling east towards Ponquogue Bridge.

To reach the Shinnecock East (eastern) section of the park where the largest piping plover colonies are, take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) east to Long Island’s South Fork. Cross over Shinnecock Canal. About 4.3 miles after the canal turn right onto Tuckahoe Road. (Look for signs for Southampton College.). Turn left on Montauk Highway (called Hill Street in Southampton). Drive three blocks and turn right on Halsey Neck Lane. Turn right again just before the ocean beach. Follow it all the way to the end.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Shinnecock East & Charles F. Altenkirk County Park (Barrier Island - Southampton) Most people know the Shinnecock East and Charles F. Altenkirk County Parks as favored places for beach camping, swimming and fishing. However, they are also one of the favored places to see the threatened piping plover and other rare bird species. The piping plover was once common along Long Island’s beaches. It is a small, stocky, sand-colored shore bird that resembles a sandpiper. It has a distinctive black band across its forehead. The piping plover population has sharply declined for several reasons. Much of its beach-nesting habitat has been destroyed by housing and commercial construction. Even where its habitat has not been destroyed, its well-camouflaged nests are trampled or crushed by beach users and off-road vehicles. Plover nests are also preyed on when unthinking people let their dogs or cats roam unleashed on the dunes. Trash left by humans also endangers these birds because it attracts predators (raccoons, foxes, gulls and crows) that also prey on plover eggs and chicks. Because of its decline, the U.S. government listed it as a protected and threatened species. Its beach nesting areas are now marked and fenced as “Restricted Areas.” Volunteer plover monitors check on their condition, while park brochures educate visitors. The best piping plover nesting areas are located in the inner dune areas of the park’s eastern section. The nest area is completely surrounded by campsites, park roads and parking lots. The threatened least tern also nests in these same sites. These birds are best seen when they nest during April. You can watch them with binoculars from outside the fence perimeters. Do not enter the nest area or harass them! The American bittern is seldom seen because of its excellent camouflage. However, it can be seen in the winter in the salt marshes along Dune Road. The occasional North Shrike can also be spied from the road in winter. A few exceedingly rare Iceland gulls are reported annually at the Shinnecock Inlet. Of course, a variety of shore, water, and marsh birds can also be observed during the seasons. The park covers the east end of Shinnecock Island and the west tip of Shinnecock Spit peninsula. The Shinnecock Inlet separates the two sections. The park is a rugged barrier beach with both ocean and bay beach recreation areas. For park information, or the status of bird nesting, call (631) 852-8899 (during warm season only). How to Get There: This trip requires binoculars. For the Charles F. Altenkirk (western) section, take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 63. Go south on Route 31 (Old Riverhead Road). Stay on Route 31 through the village of Westhampton Beach. Follow signs to “Westhampton Beach” and cross the bay bridge onto the barrier island. Turn left on Dune Road. Drive 7 miles until you enter Charles F. Altenkirk County Park (formerly known as Shinnecock Park West). On the way to, and through the park, stop and watch for bird life in marshes on the bay side. Then drive to the eastern tip and observe birds at the inlet. A spectacular view of the bay can be observed while traveling east towards Ponquogue Bridge. To reach the Shinnecock East (eastern) section of the park where the largest piping plover colonies are, take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) east to Long Island’s South Fork. Cross over Shinnecock Canal. About 4.3 miles after the canal turn right onto Tuckahoe Road. (Look for signs for Southampton College.). Turn left on Montauk Highway (called Hill Street in Southampton). Drive three blocks and turn right on Halsey Neck Lane. Turn right again just before the ocean beach. Follow it all the way to the end.