West Pond

West Pond

One of the most important features created under Robert Moses and Herbert Johnson was the creation of a 45-acre West Pond. This provided an excellent habitat and source of fresh water for coastal shorebirds, waterfowl, and other seasonal migrants. During fall, winter, and early spring, flocks of snow geese, Brant and other wintering waterfowl can be found on the west pond, along with ducks such as the Lesser and Greater Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, and many more. From spring through fall, trees and shrubs around the pond often fill with roosting egrets and herons. The upland areas around the pond provide habitat for songbirds - altogether, more than 300 species of birds have been identified at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge! However, in November 2012, Hurricane Sandy breached the West Pond, turning the pond into a tidal lagoon, compromising the freshwater habitat and affecting the vegetation surrounding it.