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AccessibilitySigns of Spring in NYC Parks
Staten Island Chuck, NYC's resident groundhog at the Staten Island Zoo, predicted early spring! Our parks are already seeing signs of the coming season ahead of spring's official start on March 20. Here are some early signs of spring to look for:
Snowdrops
As winter comes to an end, snowdrops emerge out of the frozen ground as one of the earliest signs of spring. This year, we spotted snowdrops in Central Park and Prospect Park during the first week of February, and at the High Line just after Valentine's Day. (Photo courtesy of Friends of the High Line)
Atlantic Coast Leopard Frogs
One of the first signs of spring in NYC is the cough-like breeding call of the recently-discovered Atlantic Coast leopard frog. This species was first recognized in Staten Island's freshwater marshes. Atlantic Coast leopard frogs live in northwest Staten Island, including at our very own Sweetbay Magnolia Preserve.
NYBG's Orchid Show
The New York Botanical Garden ushers in spring every year with the return of the orchid show. This year's Thailand theme will feature vanda orchids, largely popular in Thai gardens and homes. The orchid are on view from February 18 through April 9. More info
The Crocus
The crocus is one of the first spring bulbs to pop up in some of our parks. This year, we spotted crocuses blooming in Central Park and on the High Line in late February.
Red Maple Trees
Spring is early! Flower buds appeared on some red maple trees in late February and bloomed early March. Is there a red maple tree near you? Visit our Street Tree Map to find out!
The Delacorte Clock
This musical clock is a favorite stop for kids walking by the Central Park Zoo. Check out the Delacorte Clock's spring playlist, which features songs like "Easter Parade" and "Younger than Springtime". The spring playlist starts March 2. Songs play on the half hour.
Daffodils
New York City's official flower is no stranger to spring's bright colors. This year, Madison Square Park Conservancy spotted daffodils in the park in early March. Wondering why there are so many daffodils around the city? In 2007, the daffodil was named the official flower of NYC in recognition of the Daffodil Project, a citywide initiative with New Yorkers for Parks to plant millions of daffodils as a living memorial of hope after the tragedies of September 11. (Photo credit: Madison Square Park Conservancy)
Glory of the snow flowers
These pretty lavender-blue flowers starting blooming at Wave Hill in early March. When in full bloom, come late March, these early spring flowers blanket the woodland floors, adding a magical experience to walk around the garden grounds.
Spring Forward: Daylight Savings Time
On Sunday, March 12, 2017, time springs forward one hour. This means more daylight hours and later sunsets!
Spring Migration
As springtime nears, our parklands welcome warblers and many other songbirds migrating into the city. The Ramble, a 36-acre wild garden in the middle of Central Park, is a favorite among birders for spotting spring migrants.
We spotted woodcocks in the North Woods of Central Park in mid-March. The presence of woodcocks also known as "timberdoodles" is a sign that their spring migration to the north has begun.
In early spring, piping plovers arrive on Rockaway Beach to court and nest.
And it's not uncommon to see aerial courtship displays by red-tailed hawks in the beginning of spring.
Ospreys also return to our parks in early spring to mate. These majestic birds mate for life and build their nests along coastlines, usually in very tall trees, and on light poles and utility poles.
Visit our Birding in NYC Parks page to find some of the best places to go birding in the city, or go birding with an expert at these birding events.
Magnolias
Last year, the saucer and star magnolia trees in Central Park started blooming one week ahead of spring.
Forest Park Greenhouse
Each year, the Forest Park Greenhouse plants thousands of flowers at parks and gardens in Brooklyn and Queens. Take a tour of the Forest Park Greenhouse
Salamanders
Salamanders congregate for a few days in early spring to mate and lay eggs in vernal pools. It is then a race against time for the aquatic, gilled larvae to transform into land-dwelling adults before the water dries in late summer. (Photo: Susan Stanley/NYC Parks)
Monarch Butterflies
When the weather warms up, monarchs come out of hibernation and mate. After mating, they begin their trip to southern United States to lay their eggs on milkweed. Spot them in our gardens and among roadside plants.
GreenThumb's Annual GrowTogether Conference
When's spring's in the air our green thumb starts to wiggle even more. Thinking about starting a garden or looking to improve your own? On March 25, come to GreenThumb's full day of gardening workshops led by experts at our community gardens. Register for GreenThumb's GrowTogether Conference
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