Discover Central Park: Bird Tours for All Skill Levels

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Central Park has always been a place where New Yorkers come to rest, relax, and get in touch with nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. As it turns out, we’re not the only species seeking a quiet refuge. More than 210 bird species will come through Central Park during their spring migration, giving visitors a chance to spot some rare feathered friends. In the coming weeks, visitors can enjoy the Park’s official birdwatching tour, led by an expert guide from the Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit responsible for all aspects of the Park’s care.

During the Spring Birding Basics Tour, participants will learn about the crucial role that Central Park plays each year as many bird species migrate along the Atlantic Flyway. The Atlantic Flyway stretches from Greenland along the eastern coast in North America to the tropics of the Caribbean. Central Park is an important spot along that route for many species to stop so they can build nests and forage for food before journeying on.

In addition to learning about the role that the Park plays in migratory patterns, attendees will also have the chance to learn the fundamental principles of bird identification from a knowledgeable Central Park Conservancy tour guide. While visitors to the Park can spot interesting birds any time of year, spring migration season offers a unique opportunity to glimpse some rare species with their most colorful plumes on display. It’s easy to miss some of these birds, which is why going with an expert guide from the Central Park Conservancy is recommended.

The tour winds through the Ramble, a lively wooded area that’s designed to evoke the forests of upstate New York. It’s easy to feel immersed in nature amid the towering trees and dense foliage, and the Ramble also happens to be one of the Park’s best areas for birdwatching. Over the past decade, the Central Park Conservancy has worked to restore the Ramble and other woodlands in the Park to make it a hospitable place for birds and other wildlife, with exceptional results. This forested oasis for birds and people alike is a truly special New York City location that should be experienced as it comes to life in the spring.

The Spring Birding Basics Tour is only available for about one month, aligned with the migratory patterns of many bird species. Each tour begins at 11:00 am, with the first scheduled for Saturday, May 4; see the tour website for additional dates. Participants can expect to walk about three-quarters of a mile in over 120 minutes. Due to the uneven trails and stairs located in the Ramble, this tour may be inaccessible for some visitors. Participants are welcome to bring their own binoculars, but it’s not a problem if you don’t have a pair. Tour guides will have binoculars on hand to borrow.

The Central Park Conservancy’s tour is the only birdwatching tour in New York City that directly supports Central Park and is guided by the people who care for it. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here; discounted tickets are available for Central Park Conservancy members, seniors, students, active military or veteran visitors, and visitors with disabilities. Tickets are free for children under 12 and care partners for disabled visitors.

For visitors who aren’t able to make it on an official tour, the Central Park Conservancy’s Birding Guide can help facilitate a self-guided birdwatching experience. The best times of day to spot birds in the Park are the early mornings and late afternoons, and it’s imperative that visitors refrain from feeding, getting too close, or otherwise disturbing the Park’s birds and other wildlife.

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