Bird Sightings & Species List

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is a place for birders of all abilities to experience the wonders of connection with wildlife. Whether your goals are to add to your life list or simply to enjoy an afternoon of bird watching, our Refuge has something for you.

Birding List for the Refuge as of 2026

In 2020, a team of Friends and longtime volunteers who routinely help with bird surveys on the refuge updated the Refuge’s 2007 published bird list. It was a big project, published in 2021.  This year, 2026, working with the refuge biologist, we updated the list to include name changes, added listings, and seasonal updates where needed.  As before, we consulted data from our weekly sightings lists, e-bird, Christmas Bird Counts and other refuge surveys for this update. The list follows the American Ornithological Society’s naming convention and current species order, 66th Supplement, August 2025. 

How to Use this list:   The list is formatted to be printed on legal sized paper in two pages or one front and back.  The definitions for common, uncommon, rare, and accidental have been refined and apply across a three-month season.  Keep in mind, for example, a migrant listed as Occasional in spring (March to May) may not arrive until April. Habitats do vary considerably on the Refuge and the listing is for the entire Refuge.  You are more likely to see those wintering Varied Thrushes on the Carty Oaks to Wetlands Trail than on the River ‘S’ Auto Tour.  There were very few listings exclusive to closed sections of the refuge; you never know when they might show up on our open drive or trails. A box has been provided to check off your sightings as you tour the refuge if you like paper records. 

Good Birding all.

Which birds have been spotted on the Refuge this week?

Which birds were seen last week but not yet this week?

Which birds have been spotted so far in 2026?

A searchable archive by date range:

Archived Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Checklist