Birding

New York City parks boast a wide variety of bird species throughout the year, and the Urban Park Rangers host the guided tours you need to locate and identify them. Come learn what’s flying through your neighborhood this season! Visit our Birding at NYC Parks page for a list of some of the best places to go birding in New York City.

Fall Migration
Fall migration has begun! Learn about migratory birds passing through NYC on their journey south and listen to our Good Migrations playlist while you're out birding!

Raptor Fest
Meet owls, hawks, and falcons up close at Raptor Fest with the Urban Park Rangers at Prospect Park on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Birding Events
Monday, April 6, 2026
FMCP Stewardship Earth Week 2026 Series
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
, Flushing Meadows Corona Park 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the FMCP Stewardship Team and welcome Spring by observing Earth Week and take part in ecological conservation all month long. Activities range from trail maintenance, weeding, litter collection, tree and vegetation care, shoreline restoration, species removal, and other beautification projects.
Free!
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
FMCP Stewardship Earth Week 2026 Series
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
, Flushing Meadows Corona Park 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the FMCP Stewardship Team and welcome Spring by observing Earth Week and take part in ecological conservation all month long. Activities range from trail maintenance, weeding, litter collection, tree and vegetation care, shoreline restoration, species removal, and other beautification projects.
Free!
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
FMCP Stewardship Earth Week 2026 Series
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
, Flushing Meadows Corona Park 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the FMCP Stewardship Team and welcome Spring by observing Earth Week and take part in ecological conservation all month long. Activities range from trail maintenance, weeding, litter collection, tree and vegetation care, shoreline restoration, species removal, and other beautification projects.
Free!
Thursday, April 9, 2026
FMCP Stewardship Earth Week 2026 Series
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
, Flushing Meadows Corona Park 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the FMCP Stewardship Team and welcome Spring by observing Earth Week and take part in ecological conservation all month long. Activities range from trail maintenance, weeding, litter collection, tree and vegetation care, shoreline restoration, species removal, and other beautification projects.
Free!
Friday, April 10, 2026
FMCP Stewardship Earth Week 2026 Series
at Unisphere (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
, Flushing Meadows Corona Park 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the FMCP Stewardship Team and welcome Spring by observing Earth Week and take part in ecological conservation all month long. Activities range from trail maintenance, weeding, litter collection, tree and vegetation care, shoreline restoration, species removal, and other beautification projects.
Free!
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Birding: All About Crows
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn more about crows, a highly intelligent and sociable bird species.
Free!
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Spring Birding
at Wave Hill, Bronx 
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Welcome migratory birds back to Wave Hill this spring!
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Birding: Hawk Watch
at Avenue A and St. Marks Place (in Tompkins Square Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.
Free!
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Birding with The Queens County Bird Club
at Buddy Monument (in Forest Park), Queens 
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks, the Queens County Bird Club, and the Forest Park Trust for a birding event in Forest Park's natural areas!
Free!
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Birding: Raptors
at Entrance - Bartow Avenue and Eugene Street (in Long Pond Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Long Pond Park. Learn about the different raptors that call Staten Island “home-” including bald eagles, ospreys, hawks and vultures!
Free!
Birding: Spring Migration
at Oakland Lake (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us for a journey into the world of avian migration in Alley Pond Park.
Free!
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Birding: Warbler Watch
at The Overlook (in Forest Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Forest Park to look for spring warblers and more!
Free!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Bird Bonanza
at Urban Farm (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Spend the day exploring all things feathered with hands-on crafts, lively games, educational activities, and a guided bird tour with expert Gabriel Willow.
Free!
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Birding: Spring Warblers
at The Well House (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Prospect Park to look for spring migrants that include colorful warblers and more!
Free!
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Birding: Spring Migration
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx 
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a birding adventure around Crotona Park to look for spring migrants that include warblers, raptors and more!
Free!
Birding: Black Birders Week
at 165th Street and Edgecombe Avenue (in Highbridge Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn about prominent Black naturalists who have helped shape the field of ornithology while identifying some local bird species in Highbridge Park.
Free!
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Black Birders Week: Birding By Canoe Excursion
at Canoe and Kayak Launch (in Hook Creek Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Celebrate Black Birders Week with a canoe excursion into the salt marsh ecosystem of Hook Creek Park. Participants are selected by lottery. Lottery registration begins Monday May 18.
Free!
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Salt Marsh Saturday
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The marsh pathway gates will be open and our Natural Areas Team will be on site to answer questions, share facts and show off the unique species that call this ecosystem home.
Free!
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Salt Marsh Saturday
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The marsh pathway gates will be open and our Natural Areas Team will be on site to answer questions, share facts and show off the unique species that call this ecosystem home.
Free!
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Salt Marsh Saturday
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The marsh pathway gates will be open and our Natural Areas Team will be on site to answer questions, share facts and show off the unique species that call this ecosystem home.
Free!
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Salt Marsh Saturday
at Little Hell Gate Salt Marsh (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The marsh pathway gates will be open and our Natural Areas Team will be on site to answer questions, share facts and show off the unique species that call this ecosystem home.
Free!
