Long Island's shores--it isn't unusual to spot an osprey, red-tailed hawk, piping plover, or even a
bald eagle. Sizeable concentrations of migrating birds rest in the waters off Montauk Point. Seals
inhabit our rocky shores during the winter months.
from Ranch Road at Indian Field on the east
to the Montauk Association houses (seven
cottages deigned by the fi rm of McKim, Mead
and White in the 1880's) to the west. It is
bordered on the north by Montauk Highway
and extends southward to the Atlantic Ocean
and the ocean beach. Fifty-four acres of tidal
and freshwater wetlands are interspersed
throughout maritime shrub lands. This nat-
ural topography is called "Montauk Moor-
lands", and provides critical habitat to sev-
eral rare and endangered species such as the
northern harrier, the spotted turtle and the
Cooper's hawk, and hosts several species of
spring migrating birds and other shore birds.
Army and U.S. Airforce bases. Several build-
ings, bunkers, batteries, and an old radar
building (a National Historic Site) remain,
although they remain off limits to the public.
Roads cross the park, along with an exten-
horseback riding, a beach used by surfers and
surfcasters, a picnic area with grills and an old
maritime forest. Enter the park at the main
entrance (East Gate) a half mile west of the
Montauk Point Lighthouse, and park at one of
two small parking fi elds; fee is $8 in season.
Open daily year round from sunrise to sunset.
For more information about guided nature
walks, historical tours, and environmental
programs, call the park offi ce. (668-3781)
a British 74-gun warship sailing with the
Channel Fleet during the American Revolu-
tionary War. On January 23, 1781, as she was
on her way to Newport, Rhode Island to inter-
cept French ships attempting to run a British
blockade, she ran into severe weather and
ran aground at what is now called Culloden
Point. This wreck, just offshore, is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places and
is popular with scuba divers. The natural
wooded area leading up to the shoreline of