Catch New York Cities Fall Migration | Bird Watching
Did you know New York City offers some of the best birding in all of the United States? Over 350 species have been spotted in the five boroughs thanks to our position along popular migratory stops and local habitats where a variety of birds spend their winters. This fall discover the surprising diversity that can be found around NYC by joining in on one of the many free walks offered throughout the 5 boroughs. These outings are for all skill levels and are ideal for those just getting into birding, or even an experienced birder looking to find a birding community in their own backyard. Most do not require advance registration, so just drop in and enjoy the awesomeness of NYC’s fall migration!
Join New York City Audubon
Photo from: NYC Parks
ONGOING FREE WALK SERIES NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED:
Drop in and Bird: Morning Bird Walks in Central Park
Tuesdays, August 20-September 24, 7:30-9am
Governors Island Bird Walks
Sunday, October 6, 2-3pm
Saturday, October 19, 2-3pm
Fall Migration Bird Walks at the Battery, Manhattan
Tuesdays, September 3-October 29, 8-9am
Van Cortlandt Bird Walks, The Bronx
Saturdays, September 7-November 23, 9-10:30am
Pelham Bay Park Bird Walks, The Bronx
Sundays, September 8-December 8, 9-10:30am
Birding at Wave Hill, The Bronx
Sundays, September 8 and October 13, 9:30-11:30am
Birding Tours of Bryant Park
Mondays, September 9-October 14, 8-9am
Thursdays, September 12-October 17, 5-6pm
Birding Tours of the North Woods, Central Park
Mondays, September 9-23, 5:30-7pm
Wednesdays, September 11-25, 5:30-7pm
Fridays, September 13-27, 5:30-7pm
FREE ONGOING EVENTS THAT REQUIRE REGISTRATION:
FALL MIGRATION IN BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK WITH HEATHER WOLF
Saturday, October 19, 9-10:30am
Guide: Heather Wolf
Meet at Pier 1 park entrance at the intersection of Old Fulton Street and Furman Street. Join Heather Wolf, author of Birding at the Bridge, for a picturesque bird walk along the Brooklyn waterfront in search of spring migrants. Limited to 19. Free
Click here to RSVP for October 19 walk
GOVERNORS ISLAND BIRD WALKS
Saturday, September 28 and October 19, 2-3pm
Sunday, October 6, 2-3pm
Guide: NYC Audubon
Meet at Nolan Park House 17 on Governors Island. Join NYC Parks for a bird walk around beautiful and historic Governors Island, which boasts over 200 species on ebird.org. Learn about the island's fascinating history and search for waterbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and more. Binoculars are available. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
DROP IN AND BIRD: MORNING BIRD WALKS IN CENTRAL PARK
Tuesdays, August 20-September 24, 7:30-9am
Guide: Harry Maas
Meet at the park entrance at East 79th Street and 5th Avenue, parkside. Start your day off right with bird walks at the height of Fall migration, in one of the best birding spots around. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
FALL MIGRATION BIRD WALKS AT THE BATTERY
Tuesdays, September 3-October 29, 8-9am
Guide: Gabriel Willow
With The Battery Conservancy
Meet at the Netherlands Memorial Flag Pole located at the entrance to the park on the corner of Broadway, Battery Place, and State Street. Join Gabriel Willow to explore the migrating birds that find food and habitat on lower Manhattan's waterfront. RSVP preferred, visit tbcevents.eventbrite.com for more information. No limit. Free
VAN CORTLANDT BIRD WALKS, THE BRONX
Saturdays, September 7-November 23, 9-10:30am
Guides: NYC Audubon
With the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
Meet at the southeast corner of the Mosholu Avenue Park entrance. The history of birding and Van Cortlandt Park are inseparable. Influential birders such as Roger Tory Peterson and Allan D. Cruickshank got their starts on Van Cortlandt’s ecologically diverse grounds. These walks celebrate the tradition set forth by these great ornithologists. Participants will look for various species of residents and migrants and discuss a wide range of avian topics. For more information, please call 212-691-7483. No registration necessary. No limit. Free.
PELHAM BAY PARK BIRD WALKS, THE BRONX
Sundays, September 8-December 8. 9-10:30am
Guide: NYC Audubon
With Pelham Bay Park
September 8: Meet at Rodman's Neck Parking Lot
September 15-December 10: Meet at Orchard Beach Parking Lot
Join NYC Parks to explore some of the best birding NYC has to offer. Discover Pelham Bay Park's diverse habitat that attracts a variety of spring migrants. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
BIRDING AT WAVE HILL, THE BRONX
Sundays, October 13, November 10, and December 8, 9:30-11:30am
With Wave Hill
Naturalist Gabriel Willow contributes his extensive knowledge of bird species and their behaviors on these captivating walks. Wave Hill’s garden setting overlooking the Hudson River flyway provides the perfect habitat for resident and migrating birds. Ages 10 and up welcome with an adult. Limited to 20. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission (see www.wavehill.org for more information).
BIRDING TOURS OF BRYANT PARK
Mondays, September 9-October 14, 8-9am
Thursdays, September 12-October 17, 5-6pm
Guide: Gabriel Willow
With Bryant Park Corporation
Meet at the Birding Tour sign at the 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue entrance to the Park. Discover the surprising variety of birds that stop in Bryant Park during migration. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
BIRDING TOURS OF THE NORTH WOODS, CENTRAL PARK
Mondays, September 9-23, 5:30-7pm
Wednesdays, September 11-25, 5:30-7pm
Fridays, September 13-27, 5:30-7pm
Guide: Nadir Souirgi
Meet at the 103rd Street and Central Park West entrance to the Park. Discover birding in the more serene northern part of Central Park during the height of songbird migration. No registration necessary. No limit. Free
QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDEN BIRD WALKS
Saturday, October 26, 9:30-10:30am
Sundays, October 6, October 20, and November 3, 9:30-10:30am
Guide: Corey Finger
With Queens Botanical Garden
Explore Queens Botanical Garden in search of migrant songbirds and learn about the valuable resources that the Garden offers birds and other wildlife. Binoculars available. Register for one date or the whole series of five walks (walk-ins welcome). Email info@queensbotanical.org or visit www.queensbotanical.org/calendar to register. Each walk limited to 25. Free (with Garden admission)