Beach · Westhampton
Cupsogue Beach County Park
The western birding gateway to the East End. Red Knots on spring passage, a mixed tern roost that periodically holds Royal and Sandwich Terns, and a documented winter Snowy Owl spot on the dune line.
Access & parking
Suffolk County park at the western tip of the Westhampton barrier island. The flats at low tide on the bay side are the birding target; the ocean jetty gives a pelagic sea-watch in winter.
Parking: Paved lot at the main entrance. County parking sticker or day-use fee in season.
Restrooms: Flush restrooms at the main pavilion in season.
Difficulty: Moderate
When to go
Seasons: Spring Migration, Breeding, Fall Migration, Winter
Time of day: morning
Target species
- Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
- Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
- Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
- Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
- American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
- Red Knot (Calidris canutus)
- Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Rarities reported here
- Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus)
- Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Photography tips
Red Knots refuel on the bay flats in May — shoot low on the tide line at a respectful distance. The tern roost at the western tip is protected: 100 yard buffer minimum.
eBird hotspot
Open this hotspot on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird database →
Nearby birds
Other beach sites worth pairing on a day trip:
- Montauk Point State Park · Montauk
- Orient Beach State Park · Orient
Looking for the broader fauna calendar (whales, seals, sea turtles)? /wildlife covers every species on the East End.