The Guardian World · Aug 12, 2026

Drone footage shows rare bird’s-eye view of stingrays off New York coast

With wing spans up to 3ft, the shy cownose ray species typically arrive in Long Island waters in the warmer months Drone footage of dozens of stingrays in the ocean off New York has captivated beachgoers and marine enthusiasts, offering a rare bird’s-eye view of a species that scientists say has visited the area for decades. It shows cownose rays gliding through the water en masse near the surface.