Birding in New York
New York combines the legendary urban birding of Central Park with the vast wild forests of the Adirondacks and one of the most active birding communities in the world.
Overview
New York State offers birding on a grand scale, from the skyscrapers of Manhattan -- where Central Park is one of the most famous birding destinations on Earth -- to the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, the largest publicly protected wilderness in the contiguous United States. The state's position on the Atlantic Flyway, its Great Lakes shoreline, and its diversity of habitats create outstanding birding year-round. The Finger Lakes region and the Montezuma Wetlands Complex are critical stopover and staging areas for waterfowl and shorebirds. The Hudson River valley channels migrants north and south, while Long Island's barrier beaches and bays host huge numbers of shorebirds, terns, and wintering sea ducks. Jamaica Bay NWR in New York City is one of the most diverse urban birding sites in the nation. The Adirondacks add a boreal element to the state's bird list, with Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpeckers, and Bicknell's Thrush among the sought-after breeders. Whether you are chasing warblers in Central Park, scanning Montezuma for rare shorebirds, or exploring the vast boreal forests of the north, New York rewards birders with variety and accessibility that few states can match.
Seasonal Birding Guide
Central Park warbler migration is legendary, drawing birders from around the world in May. Montezuma NWR fills with waterfowl and shorebirds. Long Island's coastal parks host migrant passerines and shorebirds. The Adirondacks come alive with breeding warblers by late May.
Bicknell's Thrush breeds on Adirondack mountaintops. Piping Plovers and Least Terns nest on Long Island beaches. Boreal species breed across the northern forests, and marshes host nesting rails and bitterns. The Finger Lakes support breeding Cerulean Warblers in gorge forests.
Hawk migration is excellent at Derby Hill, Hook Mountain, and Fire Island. Jamaica Bay NWR hosts migrant shorebirds. Vagrant season brings rarities to coastal Long Island. Waterfowl migration fills the Great Lakes shore and Finger Lakes. Sparrow diversity peaks in October.
Long Island and the Great Lakes coast host impressive sea duck concentrations, including Harlequin Ducks and Barrow's Goldeneyes. Snowy Owls visit coastal areas in irruption years. Winter finches descend to the Adirondacks and beyond. Bald Eagles gather along the Hudson and Delaware Rivers. Owl prowls in the northern forests produce Boreal and Great Gray Owls in good years.
Quick Facts
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