Animals To Watch
Endangered & Invasive Species to Keep an Eye out for
Long Island Osprey
Ospreys return to Long Island early to mid March to nest along the coast.
Also known as “sea hawks” are highly visible, often nesting on man-made platforms or utility poles.
Their population has recovered strongly, largely due to conservation efforts by PSEG Long Island.
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The Southern Pine Beetle
The southern pine beetle (SPB) is a small destructive bark
beetle that has become a threat to Long Island’s pine
forests and suburban landscapes.
Though all pines are susceptible, pitch pines have been the most affected in our parks.
The SPB is native to the southern United States but has recently expanded its range into New York.
The adult beetles attack trees in large numbers. They enter the trees by boring through the bark and create S-shaped tunnels to lay their eggs.
NYS Parks Resources & Plans
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Roseate Tern
A small-medium tern, 33–36 cm (13–14 in) long with a 67–76 cm (26–30 in) wingspan
More than 90 percent of the Northeastern population is now limited to three major breeding colonies, Long Island hosts more than 2000 breeding pairs.
In the late 19th century, these birds were hunted for their plumes which were used to decorate hats.
More recently, their numbers have decreased in some regions due to increased competition and predation by large gulls, whose numbers have increased in recent times.
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Long Island Ticks
The East End has a high density of three types of ticks. the Blacklegged tick also known as the deer tick, the Lone Star tick and the American Dog Tick.
56% of ticks on Long Island and in Connecticut have tested positive for Lyme disease, with the East End having some of the highest rates
Due to the climate and, thick vegetation, and deer population, tick activity is high from March to November.
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Piping Plover
Piping plovers are small, endangered shorebirds, on Long Island’s sandy Atlantic beaches and barrier islands. They arrive in early spring and migrate south in September.
Roughly 200 breeding pairs rely on this habitat, necessitating protected nesting areas.
They are highly vulnerable to disturbance, due to laying their eggs in shallow open sand, often near dune grass, and rely on camouflage for protection.
This requires beachgoers to respect fencing, keep dogs leashed, and avoid driving on beaches during certain times of the year.
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Northern Yellow Sac Spider
The Yellow Sac Spider are venomous. Their bites cause only localized swelling
This spider body size can range from 1/4 to 3/8 of
an inch, is light yellow or tan and is slightly darker on the middle of the abdomen near the head. The young spiders can be almost transparent and easily go unnoticed.
This spider nests in undisturbed locations
like corners, ceilings, around doorframes, behind
pictures and seldom used clothing. Outdoors, this
spider is found in bushes under leaves.
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Eastern Mud Turtle
Endangered in New York State. They are considered the rarest turtle species in the state, with known populations restricted to a small number of wetland complexes on Long Island.
They are small (3-4 inches), with smooth, dark, dome-shaped shells and hinged lower shells. They can mistaken for young snapping turtles due to the shape of their head.
Prefer shallow, slow-moving, heavily vegetated freshwater, but they are also found in brackish marshes. They are often found on land in sandy, moist soil.
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Northern Black Widow
Also known as the Northern Widow, is a venomous species of spider
Reports indicate they are present on the East End and South Fork of Long Island.
They are shy and prefer to escape rather than fight, typically only biting if directly threatened or pressed
While rarely fatal for healthy adults, their venom is potent, resulting in pain, severe muscle cramps, and nausea.
They are common in dark, secluded, and low-to-the-ground spots such as barns, woodpiles, stone walls, and sheds
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Northern Long-Eared Bat
The northern long-eared bat is a medium-sized bat about 3 to 3.7 inches in length but with a wingspan of 9 to 10 inches.
On November 29, 2022 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule to reclassify the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
They utilize a diversity of forest habitats for roosting, foraging and raising young. In general, any tree large enough to have a cavity or that has loose bark may be utilized for roosting or rearing young.
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Asian Tiger Mosquito
Asian tiger mosquitoes are Highly aggressive, black and white striped, day biting pests.
They have established a significant growing population across Long Island
They breed in small containers of still water. They can breed in something as small as a bottle cap.
They can transmit diseases like West Nile, Zika, and chikungunya.
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Northern Harrier Hawks
Northern Harrier hawks, formerly known as marsh hawks, are present on Long Island year round, commonly seen hunting over low fields, marshes and grasslands.
Frequently spotted in Long Island coastal areas, often observed hunting at dawn or perched on the ground.
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Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are common large, hairy, non web spinning hunting spiders.
Found throughout Long Island Homes, basements and gardens.
Active at night, they may appear in homes, particularly in late summer, but are generally harmless, beneficial pests that prefer to flee rather than bite.
While their large size is intimidating, they are not dangerous to humans. Bites are rare, usually only occurring if the spider is handled or trapped against the skin.
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The Eastern Tiger Salamander
An endangered species in New York, found exclusively on Long Island, primarily within the central Pine Barrens of Suffolk County.
As NY’s largest terrestrial salamander, they live in underground burrows and migrate to vernal ponds for early spring breeding.
Listed as endangered in NY State since 1983 due to habitat loss and fragmentation
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Beach Tiger Beetle
The Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle dwells along the U.S. northeast coast in small sand burrows.
They can be spotted by its light tan color with dark lines and green hues on its thorax and head.
Habitat destruction is a significant threat to the northeastern beach tiger beetle.
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Black Skimmer
The Black Skimmer is so named by one of the ways it feeds-collecting food in its lower bill as it skims across the surface of the water
Black Skimmers nest on open sandy beaches, barrier island beaches, dredge spoil islands, typically sharing these areas with terns, gulls, and plovers.
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Northern Cricket Frog
An endangered species in New York that was historically common on Long Island but was extirpated byt eh 1930s
Once widespread, these tiny frogs disappeared due habitat loss and pollution.
They were known for inhabiting sunny, shallow, vegetation-rich ponds.
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North Atlantic Right Whale
North Atlantic right whales, one of the world’s most endangered species, are frequently spotted in New York Bight & South of Longisland Praticuallaryly in wintwe and spring.
They use these waters for feeding, often congregating in offshore canyons, with sightings including mother-calf pairs.
Due to high vessel traffic, these whales face significant threats from ship strikes and entanglements.
