Birds Got To Fly

From the Niagara Gorge to the shores of Montauk, the return of migrating birds and the cheerful songs and chirps of our over-wintering birds are a welcome sign of spring throughout the Empire State. Our State Parks provide many locations and opportunities to view the state's fabulous array of avian life.

The 59 Bird Conservation Areas (BCA) throughout the state, 25 of which are located within state parks, are a great places to find and observe birds.

BCA's are areas with important habitat for one or more bird species. In general, BCA's are designated because of their importance to large numbers of waterfowl, pelagic seabirds, shorebirds, wading birds, or migratory birds, or because of high species diversity, importance to species at risk, or importance as bird research sites. A full list of BCA's in NYS can be found here.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve is designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Over 200 species have been recorded on its 1700+ acres located less than an hour north of Manhattan. Just across the Hudson River and slightly upstream, the Rockland Audubon Society hosts First Sunday Walks at Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site where “habitat diversity, history, beauty and birds” draw eager participants each month.

Looking to view bald eagles? Head north from Stony Point to Croton Point on the Hudson River, which is listed as one of the locations for “spotting the ultimate American bird.”

If you find yourself with binoculars and field guide in hand on Long Island, check out Caumsett State Park on the north shore, which boasts a BCA. In addition, Montauk Point State Park and Jones Beach State Park have multiple records of rare bird sightings such as the Lesser Black-backed Gull and the Yellow-headed Blackbird, respectively.

State parks host many bird-themed events in the spring. In western New York, two Mothers Day events, one at Woodlawn Beach State Park on the easternmost terminus of Lake Erie and one at Evangola State Park, feature some of the largest concentrations of spring song birds to be found anywhere. On the other side of the state, the Thacher State Park Nature Center will host a Nest Box Monitoring Workshop on Sunday, April 19 at which participants will learn how to identify which birds are using their birdhouses and how to monitor the progress of the nestlings.

Happy birding!