Seaside Wildlife Nature Park

Seaside Wildlife Nature Park is named for the variety of flora and fauna found at this waterfront park on Great Kills Harbor. The 20-acre park includes almost 3 acres of salt marsh. Birdwatchers from around the city are drawn to the park, which provides habitat for at least 68 species of birds including ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), terns, mute swans (Cycnus olor), and cormorants. Visitors can also find crustaceans like horseshoe crabs, mussels, clams, and crabs among the park's salt marshes. The park’s trees include honey (Gleditsia triacanthos) and black locusts (Robinia pseudoacacia), pine (Pinus spp.) and white oaks (Quercus alba), eastern redbuds (Cersis canadensis), and mulberry (Morus spp.). There is also a stand of phragmites (Phragmites australis), a grass that can be overabundant and outcompete other plants.