Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching in New York State

As one of the top birdwatching destinations in the Northeast, more than 450 species of birds call the Empire State home. There are all kinds of reasons to start birdwatching! Not only is it a fun, low-cost way to spend time in nature, it’s also inclusive for birdwatchers of all abilities. Discover the state’s diverse habitats as you follow along the New York State Birding Trail, where you may spot majestic eagles along quiet rivers or track shorebirds on scenic coastlines. Read on for everything you need to know about birdwatching and let your New York State birding adventure take flight! Photo credit: @ridavio on Instagram

Check out the I BIRD NY Beginner’s Guide (offered in English and Spanish) for even more birding tips and tricks.

JUMP TO: Stake Out Your Spot | Challenges, Events, and Groups | Things to Bring | How to Identify | Keep Track of Birds

Emma Frisbie

Stake out your spot

Lush forests, sprawling grasslands, and sandy beaches are just a few of the more than 400 birding habitats you’ll find along the New York State Birding Trail. Look for I BIRD NY signs (pictured) as you make your way through amazing birding hotspots across the state, many of which are accessible by car or public transportation. A variety of locations also offer accessible accommodations like Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland, which has an accessible trail that connects to an observation deck and a battery-powered, all-terrain Action TrackChair for visitor use.

Unexpected bird oases await in New York City at locations like Central Park’s Ramble, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, or Governors Island. If you’re looking to spot Bald Eagles, Schoharie County has its very own Eagle Trail with majestic stops like Mine Kill State Park. In the Hudson Valley, Fahnestock State Park features one of the largest areas of contiguous forest in the area, boasting a diverse group of forest-dependent bird species.

Audubon centers throughout the state are another great option for spectacular birdwatching. As part of the National Audubon Society, Audubon New York oversees seven sanctuaries and 27 affiliated chapters throughout the state, protecting New York birds and their habitats. The Montezuma Audubon Center in the Finger Lakes features five different types of habitats, two miles of hiking trails, and an all-access observation platform throughout its 198 acres. Or pay a visit to The Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center on Long Island, established in 1923 as the country’s first National Audubon Society songbird sanctuary and oldest songbird sanctuary with 14 acres filled with nature trails, several ponds, and nature programs.

@cristina.p14 on Instagram

@ridavio on Instagram

Birding Challenges, Events, and Groups

Challenges

Up the fun on your birding adventure with a challenge or event! Each year, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) hosts the I BIRD NY Challenge, where birdwatchers of all ages and abilities can use their bird observation skills to identify any 10 bird species in New York State from March 1-November 1. You’ll be awarded a commemorative patch, receive a completion certificate, and be entered into a drawing for great birding prizes.

Events

Saw Mill River Audubon in the Hudson Valley hosts regular events like evening owl walks, guided morning birdsong identification, and group hawk watching. New York State Parks also offers a variety of fun birding events throughout the state like guided birdwatching kayak tours, expert-led birding hikes and walks, bird illustration workshops, and more. New York City Bird Alliance hosts all kinds of free and beginner-friendly educational programs, outings, and events across the five boroughs, including Saturday bird tours at Governors Island. The New York City Parks Department also boasts a wide variety of public events throughout the city including birdwatching festivals and guided hikes by Urban Park Rangers. DEC Education Centers like Fiver Rivers and Reinstein Woods also offer birding events.

Groups

Find your flock! Checking out local groups is a great way to learn, explore, and connect with others who share a curiosity for birds. Young birders should check out the New York State Young Birders Club (ages 10-19) and Western New York Young Birders Club (ages up to 17), which both offer field trips and other group events for kids and teens. The Feminist Bird Club offers inclusive birdwatching events that combine a passion for birds and passion for social justice with chapters in Buffalo and New York City. The Northern New York Audubon hosts events throughout the Adirondacks like the Great Adirondack Birding Celebration. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has beginner bird walks every weekend and accessible weekly events like Sapsucker Sits. The Brooklyn Bird Club has been around for more than 100 years and the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club hosts events throughout the Hudson Valley and Capital-Saratoga Regions.

Things to Bring

One of the best things about birdwatching is that you don’t need any fancy gear to get started! Here are a few simple items that you’ll want to bring to make your experience:

Binoculars: While not essential, binoculars are definitely helpful for getting a good look at birds that may be farther away. A good pair will help you identify subtle details. If you're just getting started, check with your local nature center or public library as many offer binoculars to borrow. Tip: Check out I BIRD NY: How to Adjust Binoculars for a quick how-to.
Field Guide: A portable bird guide can help you identify species as you spot them.
Camera or Smartphone: Snap a photo to help identify birds when you get home or to add to your life list or nature journal.
Notebook or Field Journal: Jot down what you see, where you saw it, and anything else you want to remember.
Clothing: Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, bug/tick spray, water, and comfortable shoes to keep you protected outdoors. Tip: Check out DEC’s Hike Smart NY page and the 10 hiking essentials before getting out there!

Photo credit: @beautifulmoments514 on Instagram.

How to Identify Birds

Birding is like a scavenger hunt and every chirp is a clue! The cool thing about birdwatching is that you can identify birds from just about anywhere, whether you’re at home or exploring deep wilderness trails. Where you decide to go birdwatching will determine what birds you see, but there are a few specific tools to help you identify different species. Remember: just because you don’t see a bird, doesn’t mean you can’t identify it! Learning sounds and calls of birds in the area is a helpful tool to learn what birds you’re observing. Start with the four visual clues: Size & Shape, Color Pattern, Behavior, and Habitat.

Helpful tools for identifying birds:

Field Guides: If you’re looking to take a more traditional route, field guides are a great tool for identifying birds while you’re out exploring, packed with pictures, maps, and tips. Try classics like Peterson’s, Sibley, Kaufman’s, or National Geographic. Tip: Borrow a few from the library to see what you like before buying.
Merlin Bird ID App: This free, beginner-friendly app created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is another easy-to-use tool for bird beginners. Snap a photo, record sounds, or use the Bird ID Wizard to identify birds and keep track of your sightings right in the app. Plus, the app works completely offline!
Online Resources: You can also get information and sounds for more than 600 species for free on Cornell’s All About Birds site or through the NYSDEC Website.

Some common and popular species you may find throughout New York State include: Eastern Bluebirds (Official Bird of New York), Northern Cardinals, Red-Tailed Hawks, Black-Capped Chickadees, Pileated Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, American Robin, European Starling, Mallard, Canadian Goose, Song Sparrow.

Keep Track of Your Birding Adventures

Now that you know how to identify birds, it’s time to start recording your sightings! Tracking birds not only helps you remember the birds you spot, but it also helps deepen your connection to nature and the places you visit. Here are some ways to track your findings:

Field Journal: A field journal is a personal record of your birding experiences while you're out in the field. Every birdwatcher’s field journal is unique! Some birders use it to jot down observations, sketch bird features, or note interesting behaviors and habitats, it’s up to you. Need a little inspo? Check out the DEC’s field journal templates to get started.
Life List: Your life list is a running tally of all the bird species you’ve ever identified. Add new birds and watch your list grow! There are a few different ways to create your life list. Keep it simple and use a notebook, follow a checklist like the New York State Ornithological Association Field Checklist of NYS Birds, or use digital tools like the Merlin Bird ID App.
eBird: Created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, eBird is another powerful and free online platform, where you can log and organize your sightings, explore hotspots near you, share lists with other birders, help scientists by contributing to research.