Brooklyn is not just known for its bustling urban environment; it is also home to a wide variety of birds. The borough offers several excellent bird-watching locations, ranging from large parks to waterfront areas.
Here are the top five places to go bird-watching in Brooklyn:
1. Prospect Park
Prospect Park is a 585-acre park located in the heart of Brooklyn and is home to over 250 species of birds. The park features several bird-watching hotspots, including the Boathouse Lake, the Ravine and the Long Meadow. Visitors can spot a wide variety of birds, including songbirds, waterfowl and birds of prey. The park also hosts bird-watching tours and other bird-related events throughout the year.
2. Marine Park
Marine Park is a 530-acre park located in southeastern Brooklyn and is a popular destination for bird-watching. The park is home to several species of waterfowl, including ducks, geese and herons. Visitors can also spot birds of prey, such as hawks and ospreys, soaring above the park's freshwater ponds and saltwater bay.
3. Green-Wood Cemetery
Green-Wood Cemetery is a historic cemetery that features several bird-watching areas, including the Dell Water and the Sylvan Water. Visitors can spot a wide variety of birds, including woodpeckers, warblers and birds of prey. One unique draw is the colony of bright green Monk Parakeets that nest in the landmarked gatehouse’s gothic spires. The cemetery also hosts bird-watching tours and other events throughout the year.
4. Shirley Chisholm State Park
Rising up 130 feet above sea level, Shirley Chisholm State Park occupies some of the highest ground in New York City and offers spectacular panoramic views of the Empire State Building to the northwest, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and New York Harbor to the west, and Jamaica Bay to the south. Year-round birds include the Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel and sea gulls.
5. Floyd Bennett Field
Park of the Gateway National Recreational Area, Floyd Bennet Field has a lot to offer bird watchers. Once you get past the athletic facilities and parking lot, bird enthusiasts head to the adjacent preserved areas, including Four Sparrow Marsh, Marine Park Preserve and Plumb Beach. You can see grassland birds, sparrows, owls and the Peregrine Falcon all year.
Brooklyn offers several excellent bird-watching destinations for enthusiasts of all levels. From large parks to waterfront areas, the borough is home to a wide variety of birds and offers plenty of opportunities to spot them. So grab your binoculars, head to one of these top bird-watching locations, and enjoy a day of birding in Brooklyn!
