Grassland · Westhampton
Gabreski Airport Grasslands
One of the last grassland bird strongholds on Long Island. Upland Sandpipers still return here in small numbers; Eastern Meadowlarks sing from the runway margins through June.
Access & parking
Viewable only from the public road perimeter (Old Riverhead Road West and Old Country Road). The airfield itself is restricted — birders scope the grassland from the shoulder.
Parking: Road-shoulder parking only; pull fully off the pavement.
Restrooms: None at the airfield perimeter; use the gas station on Old Country Road.
Difficulty: Stroller-friendly
When to go
Seasons: Breeding, Winter
Time of day: dawn
Target species
- Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
- Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
- Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)
- Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
- American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
Rarities reported here
- Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus)
- Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)
Photography tips
Long glass from the perimeter road is the only option — never enter the airfield. Heat shimmer kills detail after 9 AM in summer, so start at first light.
eBird hotspot
Open this hotspot on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird database →
Nearby birds
Other grassland sites worth pairing on a day trip:
- EPCAL Grasslands (Calverton) · Calverton
Looking for the broader fauna calendar (whales, seals, sea turtles)? /wildlife covers every species on the East End.