When do wrens leave New York?

Most Northern House Wrens have left New York by the second week of August, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.

When is the best time to see wrens in New York?

The Northern House Wren is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 26% of New York checklists.

Which wrens are in New York?

Northern House Wren, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, and Marsh Wren are reported regularly; the Northern House Wren is the most common.

4 wren species in New York

When Do Wrens Arrive in New York?

Northern House Wrens, Carolina Wrens, and Winter Wrens are the wrens you are most likely to see in New York. Northern House Wrens reach New York in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (26% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of August.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April

Common byApr 22-30late April

PeakMay 8-14the second week of May

Most gone byAug 8-14the second week of August

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by the second week of August. Peak: on about 26% of New York checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Aprcommon
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augcommon
Sepuncommon
Octuncommon
Novnot usually seen
Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Wrens in New York, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Northern House Wren	Apr 15-21	Apr 22-30	May 8-14	Aug 8-14	26%
Carolina Wren	all year	–	Sep 15-21	–	24%
Winter Wren	Sep 15-21	Sep 15-21	Oct 15-21	Jan 22-31	5.7%
Marsh Wren	Apr 22-30	May 1-7	Jul 15-21	Oct 1-7	5.1%

Northern House Wren
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Marsh Wren

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in New York that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in New York

Best counties for Northern House Wren

Share of checklists at the peak

Wyoming CountyBest late June · 397 checklists that week, 11,458 in all53%
Chautauqua CountyBest the second week of June · 634 checklists that week, 35,772 in all50%
Orleans CountyBest the second week of July · 244 checklists that week, 16,706 in all45%
Richmond CountyBest the second week of May · 1710 checklists that week, 55,926 in all43%
Orange CountyBest the second week of July · 906 checklists that week, 74,227 in all41%
Jefferson CountyBest the second week of June · 833 checklists that week, 26,171 in all41%

All wrens in New York

4 species are reported regularly: 1 stay all year, 2 are summer visitors, and 1 are winter visitors.

#	Species	Pattern	First arrivals	Peak	Peak %
1	Northern House Wren	Summer visitor	Apr 15-21	May 8-14	26%
2	Carolina Wren	Year-round	all year	Sep 15-21	24%
3	Winter Wren	Winter visitor	Sep 15-21	Oct 15-21	5.7%
4	Marsh Wren	Summer visitor	Apr 22-30	Jul 15-21	5.1%

Common questions

When do wrens arrive in New York?: Northern House Wrens reach New York in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (26% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of August.
When do wrens leave New York?: Most Northern House Wrens have left New York by the second week of August, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see wrens in New York?: The Northern House Wren is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 26% of New York checklists.
Which wrens are in New York?: Northern House Wren, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, and Marsh Wren are reported regularly; the Northern House Wren is the most common.