The weather is finally warmer and it's time to spend some serious time outdoors. Want to learn something while outside? Try birdwatching. Brooklyn is on the Atlantic Flyway, a major migratory bird route stretching from South America to Greenland.
Here are five top birdwatching spots in Brooklyn:
1. Prospect Park
Prospect Park’s woodlands, meadows and lake attract a wide variety of birds, especially during spring and fall migrations. Visitors can spot warblers, ducks and hawks along its trails or near the water’s edge.
2. Marine Park Salt Marsh
This unique wetland in southeastern Brooklyn is home to shorebirds, wading birds, and seasonal migrants. Trails and observation points make it easy to observe herons, egrets and other marsh-dwelling species quietly.
3. Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood’s historic grounds feature open lawns, wooded areas and ponds that attract both local and migratory birds. Birdwatchers often spot owls, woodpeckers and songbirds while strolling along its serene pathways.
4. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Though technically part of nearby Queens, the refuge is accessible from Brooklyn and is a hotspot for birdwatchers. Its marshes, lagoons, and shoreline attract a wide range of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors during migration season.
5. Floyd Bennett Field and Dead Horse Bay
Floyd Bennett Field, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, along with nearby Dead Horse Bay, offers one of Brooklyn’s most diverse coastal birding environments. The area’s mix of open fields, grasslands and shoreline habitats attracts raptors, shorebirds, gulls, and seasonal migrants, making it especially productive during spring and fall migration.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, Brooklyn offers a surprising range of habitats to explore. From wooded parklands to coastal marshes, each location provides a chance to slow down, look closer and experience the city through the rhythms of its birdlife.
