Springtime has arrived in New York City. Boutique windows are displaying the latest in flowery fashion. Open-air patio dining is now available at restaurants. On the odd patch of earth found in the cityscape, tulips are trumpeting their way out of the ground. And on the rare quiet city block, the unmistakable chirp of a bird can be heard in the early morning hours.

For a large part of the populace, the chirp of a bird might not so much as warrant recognition. For others, the chirp would be not just recognized, but welcomed with warmth and a smile. Then, there is another group of people, for whom this chirp is more than just a chirp. The bird is more than just a bird. For this group, the bird and the chirp are defined with greater sophistication. For these avian aficionados, more often than not, the specific bird name, call, and migratory pattern can fly to mind with just the sound of a tweet.

One might expect that New York City residents would not be able to enjoy the pleasure of bird-watching. A visit to the city’s most-famed green space during this prime-time season can quickly change this perspective.
Central Park is great for bird watching, not just because of its obvious natural environs but also because of its location on the island of Manhattan. The centrality of the park makes it, for birds, an oasis surrounded by a desert of concrete. The diversity and large areas of greenery provide migratory birds with a suitable resting place and more than sufficient food and water. One can thus encounter a higher density of migratory birds here than many other nearby suburban or rural areas. More than 270 species have been identified in Central Park, with 32 of those making the park their breeding ground of choice. According to a recent New York Times piece, Glenn Philips, executive director of New York City Audubon, is quoted as saying: “During spring migration, one can see as many as 80 species on a good day.”¹

The best time to go bird watching is within the first two weeks of May. In spring, migratory birds travel north to meet their mates. The New York region happens to fall along some of the most popular routes. Every year, hundreds of species stop by Central Park to refuel before reaching their destination (the Adirondacks, New England or Canada). This provides a great opportunity for birders to view a multitude of species during their brief layover in New York. While some, such as American robins and bluebirds, return early in February, most move northward around April-May, when their food source (flowers, pollen, new leaves, and insects) is plentiful and mating territory is favorable.

The two cardinal migrating seasons are as different as pigeons and tufted titmice. Spring migration coincides with mating season, which makes for an exciting time for bird watchers. In preparation for courting, many migratory birds have already molted to their most gorgeous plumage and have perfected their alluring song. Readied upon arrival to their breeding grounds, they can immediately attract females and defend territory. An added benefit to this dual-goal migration is that one can see a high and varied concentration of birds within just a few weeks. In fall, breeding season has ended. Many birds have molted to their duller plumage for the winter, and energy is no longer squandered on singing songs, but limited to basic vocal calls. Additionally, many fall migrants have a different return schedule, so the numbers in flight at any one time is not as intense as during the warmer months.

For those interested in our fine feathered friends, recommended locations within Central Park are: the Cherry Hill and Ramble (mid-Park from 74th to 79th Streets), the North Woods (mid-Park from 102nd to 106th Streets), and the Great Hill (West 104th Street off Central Park West). In these locations, there are small streams where many birds quench their thirst and indulge in baths, within a short viewing distance from intrigued surveyors.

The best time for observation is in the early morning hours between six and nine. This is when birds are most active as they come out to forage. Plus, Central Park is less crowded with distracting humans during these pre-commuting-to-work hours.

Some birds for which to be on the lookout include warblers and thrushes. Most warblers and thrushes do not mate here, but many stop over for a couple of days before heading north. A few favorite warblers like the blackburnian warbler (for those lucky enough to view it, it can be quite a thrill!), the northern parula, ovenbirds, and yellow warblers can be spied. The melodious, flute-like song of hermit thrushes or the rich, metallic song of wood thrushes can be heard in the Ramble or the North Woods in May. Some might even hear the local song sparrow’s vocal signals inspiring the spring.

Binoculars and a field guide are essential for bird watching. Central Park offers free kits which include: binoculars, guidebook, map, and sketching materials². For those who wish to make this activity a habit, the website at Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology³ and the New York City Audubon4 provide excellent reviews of binoculars, accounting for both budget and personal needs. The Sibley or Peterson Field Guide (Eastern regions) and the National Geographic guide are recommended for their handy illustrations.
It is a good idea to study bird songs on CDs to learn the identifiable traits of the different songs of varying species. Learning the song enables one to identify birds when the obstacle of tree branches and/or the bird’s frequent flitting, obscures ones’ view. This can make one more alert to a particular song when outside and forced to distinguish the bird sounds amongst other intrusive noises (e.g. other birds, people, traffic). Even experienced birders use birdsong CDs to attune their ears. (Peterson or Stokes birdsong field guides are recommended.)

The beginner might want to join birding walks hosted by the New York City Audubon and/or Central Park⁵. Bird walks led by the New York City Audubon are highly recommended. Check out The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and the New York City Audubon for gallery talks. The AMNH just recently hosted a symposium entitled, “Conserving Birds in Human-Dominated Landscapes.”⁶

Prepared with these tips, any avian novice can be a fledgling birder in no time! When the chirp is no longer a chirp, but more like a thweet or a tootle or a peep, then you know you’ve reached new heights of fowl sophistication.

References

1. Pollack, Michael, “Air Traffic,” New York Times, April 19, 2009.
2. http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_sports_birding
3. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/
4. http://www.nycaudobon.org
5. http://www.centralpark.com/pages/sports/bird-watching.html
6. http://symposia.cbc.amnh.org/archives/birds/agenda.html