New York State Birding
On this page:
Birding is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy! From Montauk to Buffalo, New York is home to a vast array of amazing habitat that supports over 450 different bird species. Birding, or birdwatching, is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed by all ages and experiences, plus it's a great way to get outdoors. Join the fun! Get out and try birding in your neighborhood today. It's easy to get started.
New York State Birding Trail
The New York State Birding Trail highlights world-class birding opportunities across the state. The trail provides information on places anyone can go to find birds amid beautiful settings. The trail is not a physically connected or built trail, but a network of promoted birding locations that can be accessed by car or public transportation and providing an inclusive experience for all.
Map of Trail
To find birding locations near you, please use the map below or this list of locations, which contains links to site pages for more information, to find a location near you. The Google Map can also be accessed via the Google Maps website (leaves DEC website).
Partners and Links
The New York State Birding Trail is made possible by a joint effort of many partners (links leave the DEC website), including:
- National Park Service - Gateway National Recreation Area
- NYC Parks
- NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Buffalo Audubon Society
- Audubon NY
- NYC Audubon
- National Audubon Society
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Self-Nomination Process
In addition to state-owned and managed locations, other publicly and privately managed locations are able to compete simple self-nomination process to be considered for inclusion on the trail. Sites all meet criteria to ensure a positive experience for visitors throughout the state. Review the nomination guidelines (PDF) and use nomination form (PDF) to be considered for inclusion on the trail.
See some of the nominated sites on our locations list.
Getting Started and Birding Resources
You don't need a lot to get started birding-just a good pair of binoculars, a desire to be outdoors, and a destination. Some people like to use a checklist/life list of common species they might find around their home so they can keep track of what they have observed. Check out some of these (most links below leave DEC website):
- Clements Checklist of Birds of the World- downloadable formats from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website.
- eBird- online tool by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society to keep track of bird lists.
- Merlin Bird ID - a downloadable app to help identify the birds you see or hear.
- New York State Ornithological Association (NYSOA) - options to order copies or download and print a PDF document.
See our list of bird species fact sheets for information about some species you may see nearby.
Backyard Birding
One of the best things about birding is that you can do it anywhere! Birds can be observed in our neighborhoods, around schools, and work places so there's always a chance to practice your birding skills. You can see a wider variety of birds in your backyard by creating a better bird habitat (leaves DEC website).
Breeding Bird Atlas
Birders of all backgrounds are invited to participate from 2020 to 2024 in the New York State Breeding Bird Atlas to help conduct a statewide inventory of all the birds breeding in the state. A Breeding Bird Atlas occurs every 20 years in New York. The third atlas will continue to improve our understanding of changes in the distribution of breeding birds in the state and provides the basis for more informed conservation and management practices for birds and their habitats.
Birdability
Birding truly is for everybody regardless of disability or other health concerns. Learn more about Birdability (leaves DEC website) and see a map of accessible birding locations with details of their accessibility features, how to become a more welcoming and inclusive birder, and more. For more accessible recreation locations, check out DEC's Accessible Recreation destinations.
Educational Resources for Kids and Educators
Use some of the following resources to enhance your outdoor recreation and birding adventures:
- Kids Get Outside (Kids GO!) Activities - Printable scavenger hunts, checklists, and posters developed to help kids get the most out of their outdoor exploration. Bird activities include a songbird, raptor, and bald eagle info sheets, bird journal sheet, bird adaption matching game, and a Things with Wings scavenger hunt.
- DEC Lesson Plans - Lessons grouped by grade level on a variety of environmental topics. Bird related lessons include Nesting Bird (Grade Pre K-2), Five Classes of Vertebrates (Grade 4-8), and Wildlife Conservation III (Grade 6-12).
- Conservationist for Kids is an insert into Conservationist magazine geared for elementary-aged children. The complete insert is available online as a PDF. Taking a look through the index of issues, you'll find turkeys and birds in general. Each PDF also includes a teacher supplement with lesson plans and additional resources.
Share the Shore!
Nesting birds on the beach need our help to survive. Learn how (leaves DEC website) we can protect nesting shorebirds while we are out birding.
Lights Out Initiative
New York State has adopted the 'Lights Out Initiative' on agency buildings to reduce dangers to migratory birds. We encourage other property owners to join the effort. Lights Out is a simple concept-commercial and residential property owners and managers reduce night time light pollution by turning off or dimming non-essential lights. This reduces the likelihood of disorientation and impact by birds. Note that exterior security lighting is more bird friendly when directed downward rather than into the sky.
2022 I BIRD NY Challenges
The 2022 I Bird NY Challenges have ended, but if you still want to complete an at-home challenge download the Beginner's Birding Challenge (PDF), also available in Spanish (PDF) or the Experienced Birder Challenge (PDF) or download Experienced Birder's Challenge in Spanish (PDF).
Finished? Congratulations! Download our Certificate of participation for the Beginners Birding Challenge (PDF), and the Experienced Birder's Challenge Certificate (PDF).
Entries can be mailed to I BIRD NY Beginners Birding Challenge, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1010 or emailed to birdingchallenge@dec.ny.gov, and must be received October 14. All participants in both challenges will be able to print a certificate of participation and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win birding accessories.
I BIRD NY: Beginner's Guide to Birding- download this beginner's booklet (PDF) for great information and fun activities.
I BIRD NY: Una Guía de Observación de Aves Para Principiantes - download the beginner's booklet (PDF) in Spanish
Upcoming Birding Events
Some events may have registration and limited participation. Check the event page for more details and information on how to sign up (some links below leave DEC website). Find more birding events at State Parks by visiting their events webpage.
- Saturday, January 21 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Bird at the Preserve at Connetquot River State Park Preserve
- Saturday, January 21 from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Payson Park House in Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan)
- Tuesday, January 24 from 3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Five Rivers: Community Science: Winter Raptor Survey
- Saturday, February 28 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Project Feederwatch at Creekside Classroom Environmental Education Center at Saratoga Spa State Park
- Saturday, February 4 from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Five Rivers: Family Fun, I BIRD NY: Meet Argo, then Take an Owl Prowl
- Saturday, February 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Bird Walk with Audubon at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center
Ongoing events:
- Saturdays between Setepmber 3, 2022 and May 27, 2023: Introduction to Birdwatching Walks at the Audubon Center at the Boathouse in Prospect Park (Brooklyn) from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Saturdays and Sundays between January 1 and February 12, 2023: A Birding History and Wildlife Hike, "On the Canals" on the Seneca/Cayuga Canalway Trail
- January 7 - February 25: On The Canals Snowshoeing Excursions at Montezuma Audubon Center
Additional Links and Resources
Bird Conservation Area Sites
Many of New York's best and biologically rich landscapes are in danger. These sites have been designated as Important Bird Areas (leaves DEC website). New York Developed the Bird Conservation Area Program in 1997 to enhance bird populations and their habitats on state lands and waters. The goal of the Bird Conservation Area (BCA) Program is to integrate bird conservation interests into agency planning, management, and research projects, within the context of agency missions.
Looking for other birding trails to explore? Check out some of these (links leave DEC website):
Donate toward improving New York's habitat and increasing access for fish and wildlife recreation by purchasing a Habitat/Access stamp.
Bird Webcams
Check out some of the bird webcams to observe birds across the state. DEC has an active webcam featuring nesting Peregrine Falcons on the Mid-Hudson bridge, an endangered species of New York.
NY Species:
See a list of bird species that can be found in New York.
Birding Organizations
Links below leave DEC's website.
#BlackBirdersWeek promotes diversity and takes on racism in the outdoors. This initiative aims to boost recognition and representation of Black people enjoying birding and the natural world.
The Feminist Bird Club is dedicated to promoting inclusivity in birding while fundraising and providing a safe opportunity for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC, and women to connect with the natural world.
Young Birders Network includes extensive information for young birders around the world and is primarily geared for ages 12-18. Its aim is to provide resources for young birders to connect and learn, and also to provide adult advocates for young birders the resources to encourage and support.
American Birding Association - Read through the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics before heading out in the field.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds Website - Check out this article "Binoculars and Beyond: Nine Tips for Beginning Bird Watchers" and "Building Skills: The 4 Keys to Bird Identification.
NYS Birding Trail Announcements
October 2021: New York City
February 2022: Greater Niagara
March 2022: Long Island
April 2022: Hudson Valley
May 2022: Central - Finger Lakes
May 2022: Capital Region
August 2022: Adirondacks - North Country, Catskills, and Southern Tier
October 2022: 13 (Nominated) Additions