The tiny, mainly paved-over landmass where the Statue of Liberty stands, just off the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New York Harbour, might not appear to be a hospitable environment for wildlife.
However, there is an abundance of birdlife, quite possibly unnoticed by the vast majority of the 15–20,000 daily visitors. Numerous seabird and duck species range from laughing gulls to double-crested cormorants and buffleheads to black scoters.
The two areas of trees that fringe the grounds around the famous statue host American robins, northern mockingbirds, veeries and golden-crowned kinglets, among others. These trees, and the surrounding planted flowers, also shelter eight butterfly and four moth species.
Nearby human-made Ellis Island, once the centre for immigration, has landscaping separating its historic government buildings. This includes mature trees that provide resting places for small birds such as eastern phoebe flycatchers, black-and-white warblers and dark-eyed juncos.
Many red-throated loons inhabit the waters around the island and its shoreline, along with waders such as killdeer and great egrets. In the skies above soar ospreys, and Cooper’s and red-tailed hawks.
