Best of the Fortnight

I only have a few shots from the first two weeks of March. Unfortunately, I'll be on hiatus for a bit as I recover from surgery to repair a broken elbow. Right-handed camera design makes adapting impossible in the short run:

Trumpeter Swan

Young Red-tailed Hawk with prey

My First Northbound American Woodcock

Hooded Merganser

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, March 7 - Sunday, March 8, 2026:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Winter Draws Down in Hempstead Lake State Park
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: Primarily an exploratory walk in a new site for winter passerines residing or migrating through, and the usual waterbirds, sparrows, and raptors.
Registration: Peter Dorosh, email Prosbird@gmail.com
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Eastern Long Island Audubon Society

Nature Walk at Elizabeth Morton NWR
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 8:30am
Leader: __
Description: Our annual walk to have birds eating right out of our hands! Starting a 8:30 am, this two/three hour walk along the paths, past fields, woods, freshwater ponds and streams, leads us to Little Peconic Bay. Oh, yes, the leader will provide bird seed to all, to share with the hungry birds along the way!
Registration: Contact Byron Young, youngb53@optimum.net, to register


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Gateway National Parks

Birding for Beginners at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 10:30 am — 11:30am
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: It may be winter, but there’s always birds to be seen at the park! Join a park ranger on a late winter birding walk around the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. All ages and skill levels are welcomed to join. Binoculars will be provided. Dress for the weather conditions.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 7:15am – 8:45am
Description: Experience Green-Wood before our gates open to the public and discover some of the birds that call the Cemetery their winter home. For species that migrate south after breeding, Brooklyn is their Miami during the colder months. Led by birding expert Rob Jett, this winter tour offers the chance to spot waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and other birds that stick around for the season. By February, you may even catch the first north-bound birds beginning to return.
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Linnaean Society of New York

Central Park Winter Bird Walk and Coffee Hour
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Leader: Erika Piik and David Spawn
Description: Central Park is our bailiwick, and early March is the beginning of migration for land and water birds while allowing for the possibility of remaining cold-weather birds. Likely species include Pine Warblers, Palm Warblers, Song Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, and Fox Sparrows. Last year in March, the reservoir was particularly productive, with both Common Loons and Red-throated Loons, all three species of mergansers, and a variety of gulls. Despite the cold weather, it is an exciting time of year to observe the seasonal transition, look for different bird behaviors, and chat about our findings over coffee or hot chocolate as we warm up after the walk at a yet-to-be-determined location.
Registration: Erika Piik — erika.piik@gmail.com
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Croton Point Park
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Leader: Ethan Goodman
Description: Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River. Easily reached by public transportation or car, the walk begins at the train station where Bald Eagles typically nest nearby. This location is well known for Red-headed Woodpeckers. In past years, we have seen Great Horned Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Northern Harriers, American Tree Sparrows, Field Sparrows, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Common Goldeneyes, and Common Mergansers, among other species. This lengthy and often chilly walk includes moderate hills, fields, pine groves, and a meadow covering a large former landfill.
Registration: Suzanne Zywicki — suzannezywicki@hotmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Winter Birding at Pelham Bay Park
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 9:00 am — 10:30am
Leader: _____
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance to explore New York City's largest park! Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: Registration page
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Birding at Floyd Bennett Field with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 9:30 am — 11:00am
Leader: _____
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy at Floyd Bennett Field, one of NYC's top spots for spotting winter wildlife! This former airfield-turned-natural haven offers a variety of habitats, from marshes to meadows, making it the perfect place to spot winter visitors like shovelers, scoters, and mergansers. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars or a scope if they have them.
Registration: Registration page
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South Shore Audubon Society

Massapequa Lake
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. Massapequa Lake is at the south end of Massapequa Preserve, between Lakeshore Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, March 7, 2026
Birding with the West Harlem Art Fund & NYC Bird Alliance at 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue (in Morningside Park), Manhattan
9:00am–11:00am
Enjoy birding with the West Harlem Art Fund and NYC Bird Alliance on Saturday, March 7th.
Free

Sunday, March 8, 2026
Birding: Beginner Birding at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
10:00am–11:00am
Learn a new skill and take up a new hobby as we help you identify some of the most common birds found in our parks.
Free

Best of the Fortnight

Here are my favorite photos taken during the second two weeks of February, 2026. Which one is your fav?

Immature Red-tailed Hawk

Immature Cooper's Hawk

Great Blue Heron

Immature Peregrine Falcon

"Jalena" Witch Hazel

Monk Parakeets

Tufted Titmouse

Downy Woodpecker

Mourning Dove

Robins eating juniper berries

Hooded Mergansers

Red Maple buds

Cedar Waxwing eating juniper berries

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, February 28 - Sunday, March 1, 2026:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Birds and Ducks on the Move Thru Ridgewood Reservoir and Jamaica Bay Refuge
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Leader: Steve Nanz
Description: A return to the landmark conservation site at Ridgewood Reservoir, followed by a short 20-minute drive to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, sets the stage for what promises to be a productive day for waterfowl. With birds and ducks in the early stirrings of migration, the moment offers strong opportunities to capture dynamic behavior and flocks moving across waterways and ponds.
Registration: Heidi Steiner-Nanz email heidi.steiner.bklyn@gmail.com
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First Sunday Bird Outings
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club in search of dozens of species that visit the park through all seasons. Learn about the different habitats in Prospect Park and why they are important for all types of birds.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, March 1, 2026, 6:45am – 8:15am
Description: Experience Green-Wood before our gates open to the public and discover some of the birds that call the Cemetery their winter home. For species that migrate south after breeding, Brooklyn is their Miami during the colder months. Led by birding expert Rob Jett, this winter tour offers the chance to spot waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and other birds that stick around for the season. By February, you may even catch the first north-bound birds beginning to return.
View Details


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Hudson River Audubon Society

Jones Beach, West End II
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 8:00am
Leader: Michael Bochnik
Description: Meet at the Boat Basin parking lot, next to the Coast Guard Station in the West End section. We’ll search for wintering birds in the bay, ocean and the dunes.
Registration: bochnikm@cs.com
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Linnaean Society of New York

Brooklyn Coastal Birding
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: March is a time when few winter birds remain, and early spring migrants are just starting to arrive. However, birding in coastal Brooklyn is always satisfying. The trip involves visits to multiple sites, and in the past, it has featured Calvert Vaux Park, Coney Island Creek, Manhattan Beach Park, and Marine Park. Each site has a unique ecosystem with corresponding bird species. Highlights have included Black-headed Gulls, Eurasian Wigeons, Snowy Owls, Horned Larks, Eastern Meadowlarks, American Pipits, all three scoter species, loons, grebes, and both types of scaup.
Registration: Dom Ricci — domricci@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Winter Birds with the Young Conservationists: Ducks
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 10:00 am — 11:30am
Leader: Ryan Mandelbaum
Description: Winter doesn’t mean the birding has to stop! Discover the birds that spend the colder months with us. Join Young Conservation Council member Ryan Mandelbaum this winter in a three part series: finches, gulls, and ducks.
Registration: Registration page
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Birding in East Harlem Esplanade
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 10:00 am — 11:30am
Leader: EsplanadeFriends
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance and EsplanadeFriends to discover the East Harlem Esplanade and its adjacent green spaces. Expect to see many water birds right off the coast.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

Baisley Pond
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: John & Mary Borowski (347) 705-2963
Description: Join us as we look for birds in Baisley Pond Park, the winter home for hundreds of ducks and other waterfowl. The path around the lake is paved.
Registration: Call the trip leader to register for this mini trip and for more information.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, travel west to the Belt Parkway. Exit at Cross Bay Boulevard (Exit 17) south. Continue south on Cross Bay Blvd. through Howard Beach and over the North Channel Bridge (also known as the Congressman Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge). The entrance to the refuge parking lot is on the right side of the road, at a traffic light approximately one and a half miles past the bridge.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, February 28, 2026
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips from Saturday, February 21 - Sunday, February 22, 2026:

Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
View Details


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Gateway National Parks

Winter Wander Nature Walk at Jamaica Bay
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 11:00 am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Wander with a park ranger at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge while it’s a winter wonderland! Explore how plants and animals at the park survive and adapt to the winter. Open to all ages. Please dress for the conditions.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No
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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 6:45am – 8:15am
Description: Experience Green-Wood before our gates open to the public and discover some of the birds that call the Cemetery their winter home. For species that migrate south after breeding, Brooklyn is their Miami during the colder months. Led by birding expert Rob Jett, this winter tour offers the chance to spot waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and other birds that stick around for the season. By February, you may even catch the first north-bound birds beginning to return.
View Details


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Linnaean Society of New York

Pelham Bay Park – Orchard Beach Area
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Leader: Jack Rothman
Description: Pelham Bay Park is New York City’s largest park, covering 2,772 acres. Our winter walk starts at Orchard Beach and centers around the northern forested areas of Hunter Island and Bartow-Pell Woods. The waters off Orchard Beach and Twin Island are excellent spots to scan flocks of overwintering waterfowl, loons, and grebes and Harbor Seals. Sightings from prior walks included Red-necked Grebes, Purple Sandpipers, American Widgeons, and Razorbills in the water. Tree Sparrows and hawks were seen on the land and in the air.
Registration: Suzanne Zywicki — suzannezywicki@hotmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Birding in Central Park: Ramble to Reservoir
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 8:00 am — 11:00am
Leader: Tod Winston
Description: Enjoy a winter trek through Central Park. We'll explore the Lake, Ramble, and Turtle Pond in search of wintering songbirds and owls, and then trek up to the Reservoir to look for ducks, gulls, and Peregrine Falcons.
Registration: Registration page
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Winter Birds with the Young Conservationists: Gulls
Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10:00 am — 11:30am
Leader: Ryan Mandelbaum
Description: Winter doesn’t mean the birding has to stop! Discover the birds that spend the colder months with us. Join Young Conservation Council member Ryan Mandelbaum this winter in a three part series: finches, gulls, and ducks.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

Fort Totten Park
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 8:00am - 12:30pm
Leader: Marcia Abrahams (917) 608-8832
Description: We will meet at the restrooms in the Little Neck Bay parking lot, which is before the entrance to Fort Totten Park. Then we will begin by visiting the pond on Duane Road and from there, walk through the north side of the park near the Visitors Center, Fort and the bay. A pair of Bald Eagles are frequently spotted flying through the park. The surrounding bird species this time of year include resident Red-tailed Hawks and other raptor species, including a pair PeregrineFalcons which are nesting close by. Bird enthusiasts congregate to observe migrating waterfowl which includes CommonGoldeneyes, Buffleheads, Scaup, Horned Grebes, Common Loons, Red-throatedLoons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal and if you are lucky, possibly American Wigeons and Ring-necked Ducks. The pine trees also attract Brown Creepers, White-breasted Nuthatch and I have also seenRed-breasted Nuthatches.
Registration: Call the trip leader to register for this mini trip and for more information.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Hempstead Lake State Park
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: From the Southern State Parkway, take Exit 18 (Eagle Avenue) south to Field 3 (use second park entrance and make an immediate left turn.)
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, February 21, 2026
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Sunday, February 22, 2026
Birding: Winter Waterfowl at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00pm–2:00pm
Winter is a great time to learn more about our migratory duck species! Join the Rangers on a walk around Orchard Beach Boardwalk to explore the unusual world of winter waterfowl!
Free

Familiar Silhouette

Common Raven collecting nest material: bark stripped from the branches of an Eastern Cottonwood.

Best of the Fortnight

Here's my first fortnight installment for February 2026. I hope you enjoy:

American Kestrel

White-throated Sparrow leaping into the void

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Fox Sparrow

Immature Cooper's Hawk

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

A pandemonium of Monk Parakeets

Dark-eyed Junco

Young Red-tailed Hawk

Hungry Canada Goose

Young Red-tailed Hawk

Brooklyn iceberg

Young Herring Gulls

More Brooklyn icebergs

Black Scoters

Gadwall

Christmas Bird Count

It has been nearly two months since the New York State 2025-2026 Christmas Bird Count wrapped up. It's taken me a while, but I've finally gotten around to posting a brief summary of my experience leading the team again at Floyd Bennett Field.

Every year during the Christmas Bird Count, our sunrise strategy at Floyd Bennett Field is to walk all the grasslands. It is a huge area and I like to get that part of the survey done as early as possible. We break into three teams and walk across pre-assigned fields. Eastern Meadowlark is our main target, but other species occasionally encountered include Ring-necked Pheasant, Wilson's Snipe, Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Snow Bunting and Savannah Sparrow.

Sunrise on the runways

Our teams split up just after dawn and headed to our starting fields. HJ Kim, Kenelma Perez, Bob Washburn and I spread out across the small triangle of grassland that lies between the airport's main roadway and the southwestern runway. I was still walking to the far end of the field when I heard Bob yelling something. He had been walking a route closest to the runway and had only progressed a few yards. He waved us over.

From a distance I saw something bright white hunkered down in the vegetation. I thought, "Snowy Owl?" My heart jumped. As I approached the large, white mass of feathers and got a clearer view of the large bird, my brain nearly broke. Gannet?! What the heck was a gannet doing sitting in the grass?

Gannets have short legs set very far back on their bodies. They are similar in design to loons in that they are built for pursuing prey underwater, not walking on land. In order to take off from water, they require a running start, flapping heavily while kicking with their feet. We weren't sure how it ended up at the edge of this tangled vegetation, but we needed to get it out and to the water's edge.

Gannets are large seabirds with a nearly 6' wingspan. Their bill is long and dagger-like with a serrated edge. Standing close to this bird as it made deep, guttural growls and grunts with that weapon agape was, well, terrifying. So I did what any brave, adult male would do, I called over Michelle.

I was aware that Michelle has had extensive experience rescuing wildlife in distress, but was still in total awe as she almost effortlessly corralled then grabbed this snarling monster of a bird. As luck would have it, Mark Iantosca, another team member, had a perfect, gannet-sized Rubbermaid container in his car. With the bird loaded into the car, Michelle and her other teammates drove to the water at the edge of the boat launch and released it.

I think that the previous day's weather played a major role in the gannet's grounding. Winds were gusting up to 45mph. In fact, on the day of the count, we were seeing an unprecedented number of gannets flying around Jamaica Bay. They are normally seen out over the ocean, so surmise that the strong winds had pushed many of them into the bay. In addition, we had been experiencing extensive amounts of rain. When scouting Floyd Bennett Field the day before the count, much of the runways were flooded. I suspect the bird saw the water and landed in it, not realizing it was merely a very large, shallow puddle. When it attempted to takeoff, it ended up at the edge of the field, which is full of thorny vines.

I’ve been participating in the annual Christmas Bird Count since the 1990s and can say, with no hesitation, that this was my most memorable count experience.

When Michelle drove off with the gannet to the boat launch, the rest of us continued our walk across the grassland. My small group was about halfway across the first field when an Eastern Meadowlark flushed up from the grass. Meadowlarks have a distinctive, stuttering wing beat, and very noticeable white outer tail feathers. It was a very easy identification. I only managed to get a few, not-so-great, flight photos.

Eastern Meadowlark

The remnant evergreen stands within our covered areas held a few Red-breasted Nuthatches and the expected abundance of Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Another nice surprise for the day was finding a small flock of Eastern Bluebirds at the picnic area adjacent to the community gardens. I've seen bluebirds on the CBC in the past, but it has been quite a long time since the last sighting.

We always wrap up our day by meeting all the teams at the boat launch parking lot at the edge of the bay. There is a large congregation of assorted gulls that assemble here as the sun goes down. The dominant species (by a large margin) is always Ring-billed Gull, but a rare species or two is in the back of everyone's minds. As luck would have it, we were able to add Iceland Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull to our list. Both species are scarce, but likely observed by teams covering the ocean terrains.

Iceland Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

We finished our day with a very respectable 75 species. This is two more species than last year and a new record for Floyd Bennett Field (last year was the previous record!). We also managed two saves for the entire Brooklyn borough. If you are new to Christmans Bird Count lingo, a "save" is a species that no other team observed that day. In all, I was extremely happy with the results and feel incredibly lucky to have such great people each year on Team Floyd Bennett Field.

Here's our final species list for the day. Highlighted species are our team's saves.

Brant	Red-throated Loon	Red-breasted Nuthatch
Canada Goose	Common Loon	Brown Creeper
Mute Swan	Northern Gannet	Carolina Wren
Gadwall	Great Cormorant	European Starling
American Wigeon	Double-crested Cormorant	Northern Mockingbird
Mallard	Great Blue Heron	Eastern Bluebird
American Black Duck	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Hermit Thrush
Greater Scaup	Cooper's Hawk	American Robin
Lesser Scaup	Northern Harrier	Cedar Waxwing
Surf Scoter	Bald Eagle	House Sparrow
Black Scoter	Red-shouldered Hawk	American Pipit
Long-tailed Duck	Red-tailed Hawk	House Finch
Bufflehead	American Barn Owl	American Goldfinch
Red-breasted Merganser	Red-bellied Woodpecker	Field Sparrow
Rock Pigeon	Downy Woodpecker	American Tree Sparrow
Mourning Dove	Northern Flicker	Fox Sparrow
American Oystercatcher	American Kestrel	Dark-eyed Junco
Black-bellied Plover	Merlin	White-throated Sparrow
American Woodcock	Peregrine Falcon	Savannah Sparrow
Ring-billed Gull	Blue Jay	Song Sparrow
American Herring Gull	American Crow	Swamp Sparrow
Great Black-backed Gull	Common Raven	Eastern Meadowlark
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Black-capped Chickadee	Red-winged Blackbird
Iceland Gull	Tufted Titmouse	Yellow-rumped Warbler
Horned Grebe	Horned Lark	Northern Cardinal

Upcoming Trips

Below are the birding/nature trips for Saturday, February 14 - Sunday, February 15, 2026:

Bedford Audubon Society

Hudson River Eagle Walk
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:00 pm - 5:00pm
Leader: Tait Johansson
Description: Join naturalist Tait Johansson for one of our Hudson River Eagle Field Trips along the Hudson River to seek out these iconic raptors as they hunt, scavenge, and interact in their winter habitat. Watching eagles navigate the challenges of winter along the river offers a compelling glimpse into the behavior and ecology of a top avian predator.
Registration: Cost: Free. Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Registration required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.
View Details


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Brooklyn Bird Club

Introduction to Birdwatching
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leader: A member of the Brooklyn Bird Club
Description: Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory bird outing is for you. Join a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.
Registration: No registration necessary.
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Croton Point Park: Memorial walk for Paul Keim
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Leader: Peter Dorosh
Description: We continue to celebrate the memory of our late President emeritus Paul Keim in this second commemoration, at one of Paul’s favorite locations: Croton Point Park. In winter, Bald Eagles are seen passing through, even perching in this park’s trees. On the Hudson River, ducks abound and the landfill mound produces surprises. The leader has spent many walks with Paul to this lovely park in the quiet solitude of winter.
Registration: Peter Dorosh, email Prosbird@gmail.com
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Gateway National Parks

Winter Wander Nature Walk at Jamaica Bay
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 11:00 am — 12:00pm
Leader: Park Rangers
Description: Wander with a park ranger at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge while it’s a winter wonderland! Explore how plants and animals at the park survive and adapt to the winter. Open to all ages. Please dress for the conditions.
Registration: Reservation or Registration: No
View Details


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Green-Wood Cemetery

Birding in Peace
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 6:45am – 8:15am
Description: Experience Green-Wood before our gates open to the public and discover some of the birds that call the Cemetery their winter home. For species that migrate south after breeding, Brooklyn is their Miami during the colder months. Led by birding expert Rob Jett, this winter tour offers the chance to spot waterfowl, nuthatches, woodpeckers, sparrows, finches, and other birds that stick around for the season. By February, you may even catch the first north-bound birds beginning to return.
View Details


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Linnaean Society of New York

Coney Island Pier to Coney Island Creek
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Leader: Rob Jett
Description: This casual four-mile loop begins by exploring the shore, water, and jetties of the lower bay along Coney Island Beach. Walking west towards the border between Coney Island and the private community of Seagate, we expect to observe Common and Red-throated Loons, Horned Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, scoters, and several other species of waterfowl. The overwintering Purple Sandpipers along the rock jetties are always a delight. We may find a rare Lesser Black-backed Gull or an Iceland Gull among the abundant common gulls. The second half of the loop takes us to the tranquil Gravesend Bay and Coney Island Creek.
Registration: Gillian Henry — gillian.henry@gmail.com
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Staten Island
Sunday, February 15, 2026 (New Date)
Leader: Richard ZainEldeen
Description: Staten Island’s habitats include woodlands, coastal beaches, marshes, parks, and more. We have seen shorebirds, Bonaparte’s Gulls, Horned Grebes, and other grebe species. Many rare birds may make surprise appearances. One year, a Summer Tanager stayed throughout the winter, eating bees found in a tree hole. Hairy Woodpeckers are not uncommon. The itinerary may evolve based on sightings or rare bird species.
Registration: Ursula Mitra — ursula.mitra@gmail.com
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NYC Bird Alliance

Birding at Floyd Bennett Field with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Saturday, February 14, 2026, 9:30 am — 11:00am
Leader: _____
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy at Floyd Bennett Field, one of NYC's top spots for spotting winter wildlife! This former airfield-turned-natural haven offers a variety of habitats, from marshes to meadows, making it the perfect place to spot winter visitors like shovelers, scoters, and mergansers. “Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars or a scope if they have them.
Registration: Registration page
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Winter Birding at Pelham Bay Park
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 9:00 am — 10:30am
Leader: _____
Description: Join NYC Bird Alliance to explore New York City's largest park! Pelham Bay Park's forested areas, salt marshes, and grassy meadows offer rich habitat for a variety of migrating birds.
Registration: Registration page
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Queens County Bird Club

NJ Shore/Barnegat
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Leader: Ian Resnick (917) 626-9562
Description: This is a full-day trip that starts early and ends with dining out in central New Jersey. Of course, you may leave at any time that your schedule requires. We are planning on having lunch at a restaurant, so there is no need to pack a lunch.
Registration: Call the trip leader to register for this mini trip and for more information.
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South Shore Audubon Society

Mill Pond Park
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Leader: Members of SSAS
Description: Use street parking on the westbound side of Merrick Road. The park is four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway. Meet at the gazebo.
Registration: Registration is required by calling Joe Landesberg at 516-467-9498
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Urban Park Rangers

Saturday, February 14, 2026
McGolrick Bird Club at Monsignor McGolrick Park (in Msgr. McGolrick Park), Brooklyn
9:00am–11:00am
Free birding walks are held every Saturday at 9am, year-round. Meet at the Russell & Driggs entrance to McGolrick park.
Free

Birding: You've Gotta Love Birds at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00am–11:00am
Join the Urban Park Rangers to learn about mating and courtship behaviors of our feathered friends at Pelham Bay Park during this season of love!
Free

Birding: You Gotta Love Birds at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
12:00pm–1:00pm
Learn about courtship rituals, nest-building, parenting and other things birds do to attract and keep their mates.
Free

Sunday, February 15, 2026
For the Love of Birds at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), Staten Island
10:30am–11:30am
Learn about the most common birds you might find in the Greenbelt- or in your own backyard.
Free

Birding: Bald Eagle Watch at Palisade Avenue and Spaulding Lane (in Riverdale Park), Bronx
11:00am–12:00pm
Winter is a spectacular time for observing bald eagles in New York City parks. See if you can spot any on this adventure with our Urban Park Rangers. Please dress warmly.
Free