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Home , Alley Pond Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Calvert Vaux Park, Carl Schurz Park, Clove Lakes Park, Conference House Park

TOP 10 BIRDING STOPS

1. CENTRAL , (SpFW) 72nd St., 103rd St. Manhattan’s 843-acre centerpiece is a magnet for spring and fall 19 4 migrants, making it one of the best birding spots in the . 20 When shifting weather patterns cause a migrant “fall-out,” the density of P 7 h o t : J songbirds is what birders dream of.

a m i c B WHERE TO GO: Enter at 72nd Street to Strawberry Fields and bird to the Lake and Ramble, or at 103rd Street and explore the Great Hill and

a y © D North Woods. Visit the Reservoir for wintering waterfowl. BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors 10 o n R i e p

2. WILDLIFE REFUGE, (SpSuFW) BIRDING Broad Channel, Q52-SBS, Q53-SBS Bus Part of Gateway , the refuge covers 9,000 BY SUBWAY acres of open bay, , mudflats, ponds, fields, and woods. 9 Over 300 species have been recorded in the bay, world-renowned for its shorebird migration. WHERE TO GO: Walk north about three-quarters of a mile (or take the Q52 or Q53 bus) to the Visitor Center. Explore the East and West 21 Ponds and the forested paths of the North and South Gardens. BIRDS TO SEE: shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, marsh birds, songbirds, and raptors

3. / BOTANIC GARDEN (SpFW) Prospect Park or / Eastern -Brooklyn or Prospect Park (ALLEY POND With 526 acres of woods, meadows, and bodies of water, Prospect Park PARK) offers a striking diversity of bird habitat. On peak spring days, nearly 100 species have been spotted here. The nearby 23 offers excellent birding as well. WHERE TO GO: Enter at Lincoln Road, Grand Army Plaza, or Bartel CONSERVATION | ADVOCACY | ENGAGEMENT Pritchard Square. Explore the Vale of Cashmere, Midwood, Long Meadow, Lookout Hill, Peninsula, Lullwater, and Prospect Lake. BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors

18 4. , BRONX (SpF) Van Cortlandt Park-242nd St. 17 22 Over half of this accessible park’s 1,146 acres offer excellent bird habitat, including deciduous forests, meadows, , and a constructed lake. Over 60 species breed here. WHERE TO GO: Enter at West 242nd Street and explore the Putnam Trail, John Kieran Nature Trail, Van Cortlandt Lake, , and nearby freshwater wetlands. 16 BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors 5. THE AMUNDSEN TRAIL: AND THE GREENBELT, (SpSuFW) 1 SIR Oakwood Heights Walk two blocks to the Amundsen Trail (White Trail), which connects High Rock Park and the to the north with Gateway National Recreation Area’s 1,200-acre Great Kills Park to the south. WHERE TO GO: Hike south to visit the , marsh trails, mudflats, 6 and woodland of Great Kills Park (Crooke’s Point is particularly productive)—or northwards toward the wooded trails of High Rock Park and visit the Greenbelt Nature Center. BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, marsh birds, and seabirds 15 6. , QUEENS (SpF) Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike, Bus The forested eastern end of this 538-acre park is a songbird migration 1 hotspot; the park’s “knob and kettle” terrain, a leftover from the last , hosts magnificent and pine groves. WHERE TO GO: From the subway, walk or take the Q37 bus to enter at and Forest Park Drive and explore the “Waterhole,” a migrant songbird haven, as well as the Little Gully, Gully, and Horseshoe. Bird with a friend; it’s easy to get lost. BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds and raptors

7. , BRONX (SpSuFW) Pelham Bay Park At 2,765 acres, this remote and wild City Park includes open water, salt marsh, rocky shore, old- and new-growth forest, shrubland, rare coastal tall grass meadows, and dry and wet oak savanna. WHERE TO GO: The most accessible part is the southern zone. Cross the walkway over I-95 and turn left into the park to reach the Pelham Bay Nature Center and explore Huntington Woods, wet meadows, and 2 the waterfront. A visit to Hunter and Twin Islands in the beautiful and 24 rugged northern part of the park is also well worth the effort. BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, marsh birds, and seabirds

8. , STATEN ISLAND (SpF) From St. George Ferry Terminal: S61/62 Bus Victory Blvd. & Clove Rd or S48 Bus Forest Ave. Over half of this 196-acre park is made up of hilly woodlands, ponds, and streams, and is known on Staten Island as the place to see warblers and other neotropical migrants, particularly in spring. 3 WHERE TO GO: Start at Martling Avenue and explore the wooded paths along the stream that runs between Brooks, Martling, and Clove Lakes. A pair of Great Blue Herons has nested in recent years next to 14 the Martling Avenue Bridge. 29 BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and raptors 26 8 9. , MANHATTAN (SpFW) Inwood-207th St. or 215th Street 30 27 This 196-acre park is the site of Manhattan’s only old-growth forest, a tulip poplar and oak woodland that hosts nesting forest birds. The park also includes a small adjacent salt marsh and offers great views of the . 25 WHERE TO GO: Enter at 218th Street and Indian Road to explore the park’s bays, shoreline, and mudflats; hike up forested “Inwood Hill”; and check the ball fields for grassland birds. The Pier may offer wintertime views of Bald Eagles. 13 BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors 10. THE NEW YORK , BRONX (SpF) 5 Bedford Park Blvd., B26 Bus This 250-acre preserve, home to resident Wood Ducks and Great Horned Owls, comprises gardens, ponds, areas, a 40-acre old- growth forest, and a wild portion of River. 28 WHERE TO GO: Walk nine blocks (or take the B26 bus) and enter at 12 the Mosholu Gate to explore the Twin Lakes area and forest trail; cross Hester Bridge to reach the River Trail. 15) : 42nd St.-Bryant Park 24) Shirley Chisholm State Park: Pennsylvania Ave., B83 Bus BIRDS TO SEE: songbirds, wading birds, and raptors MORE BIRDING STOPS 16) Park/ Promenade: 86th St. 25) and : Flatbush Ave.- Find more details at www.nycaudubon.org/go-birding 17) Randall’s Island: 125th St., M35 Bus Brooklyn College, Bus 11 11) Park: SIR Tottenville 18) Riverside Park Bird Sanctuary: 116th St.- 26) Field: Flatbush Ave.-Brooklyn College, 12) Mount Loretto Unique Area: SIR Pleasant Plains or Richmond Valley Sp: spring Su: summer F: fall W: winter 19) : Van Cortlandt Park-242nd St., free shuttle Q35 Bus 13) (open for special events): S62 Bus from St. George Subway map ©2020 Metropolitan 20) Woodlawn Cemetery: Woodlawn 27) Marine Park: Ave. U, B3 Bus or Kings Hwy., B31 Bus Ferry Terminal This guide has Transportation Authority. Used with 21) : 174th St. 28) Park: Bay 50th St., B82 Bus been updated and permission. Map current as of April 14) /, NYC environmental center: 22) Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Mets-Willets Point 29) Green-Wood Cemetery: 25th St. reprinted thanks to 2020. Subway and bus service changes South Ferry, Ferry Service (summer only) 23) : Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike, Bus 30) Bush Terminal Piers Park: 45th St. the generous support frequently. Check www.mta.info or of Con Edison. in-system maps.

84382_2020 SubBirding Map_R-4_AA1.indd 1 11/12/20 1:50 PM NEW YORK CITY IS BIRDING BIRDS NEED FOR THE BIRDS BY THE SEASON YOUR HELP From to Jamaica Bay, New York Flyway, it is a migratory stopover. Many species City boasts some of the very best birding in the also stay to breed or spend the winter in the City’s is the only organization solely dedicated to safeguarding birds and their United States: over 350 species have been diverse landscape of forest, marsh, grasslands, and habitats in the five boroughs. Join us! As a contributing recorded in the five boroughs. shoreline. Many of these prime birding spots are The City owes this member, you make possible our research, conservation, rich birdlife to a lucky confluence of location and just a subway or bus ride away. Let’s get birding education, and advocacy for New York City’s more habitat. Situated at a pivotal point along the Atlantic on the MTA! than 350 species of wild birds. P

h o t : C e n r a l P Project Safe Flight seeks to ensure safe passage for the millions of birds migrating through our city by a r

k © N reducing collisions with glass and expanding habitat.

e i l H We helped pass new City laws in 2019 that require o

w a r bird-friendly construction and green roofs. d ( C B Y 2 . 0 , fl i c k r WINTER SUMMER Waterbirds of monitors and tracks Waterfowl at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Red-tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons throughout wading birds and shorebirds that nest or stop over at Pelham Bay Park, Fort Tilden, and park lakes and the City. -nesting birds on Rockaway beaches

. c o m / p h t s n e i l g a r the City’s wetlands, islands, and beaches. reservoirs. Snow Buntings and occasional Snowy and breeding songbirds and waterbirds at Jamaica brings the joy of birding Owls at and Freshkills Park, Bay Wildlife Refuge, Inwood Hill Park, and Staten Education and Outreach and the rewards of conserving nature to diverse and Bald Eagles on Hudson River ice floes near Island . In late summer, migrating shorebirds at communities all across the City, offering bird walks, e / 3 0 6 4 7 1 8 5 ) Inwood Hill Park. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. classes, wildlife festivals, hands-on volunteering, and a seasonal center on Governors Island.

BECOME A MEMBER Benefits include free members-only bird walks, discounts on trips and classes, the quarterly Urban Audubon newsletter, the eGret enewsletter—and BIRDING TIPS FOR MORE INFORMATION knowing that you are making a difference for birds. • Bird in the early morning • Bird your patch. Small parks • NYC Audubon’s online guide Join now at www.nycaudubon.org. or late afternoon, particularly such as Bryant Park and even www.nycaudubon.org/go-birding in spring when songbirds are tiny “pocket parks” can yield • Birdwatching in New York City and NYC AUDUBON actively singing. surprising visitors during on , by Deborah Rivel 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1523 • Bring the right gear. migration. and Kellye Rosenheim New York, NY 10010 Binoculars are great for • Bird with a friend. Even • The New York City Audubon 212-691-7483 songbirds, but a spotting in the busiest places such as Society Guide to Finding Birds in SPRING FALL www.nycaudubon.org scope is key when observing Central Park, it’s safest to bird the Metropolitan Area, by Marcia T. Migrating songbirds in Central, Prospect, Migrating songbirds in Central, Prospect, Forest, shorebirds or waterfowl. with a companion. Fowle and Paul Kerlinger Forest, Clove Lakes, Van Cortlandt, and other Conference House, Van Cortlandt, and other Sign up for NYC Audubon birding trips, classes, and bird walks • Field Guide to the Neighborhood Birds City parks. Migrating shorebirds at Jamaica Bay City parks. Migrating raptors at Fort Tilden and at www.nycaudubon.org/ea of New York City, by Leslie Day Wildlife Refuge. the Staten Island Greenbelt.

This guide has been updated and reprinted thanks to the generous support of Con Edison.

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