Enjoy Fall Migration in Prospect Park

With over 200 species of birds spotted in Prospect Park each year, bird watching is one of the more tranquil ways to enjoy the Park, and September is peak season for fall migration. The Park’s location along the Atlantic Flyway led to its designation as an important birding area by the National Audubon Society, and the creation of the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first of its kind in an urban park.

If you own a pair of binoculars, a bird guide and an adventurous spirit, take a stroll through Prospect Park and try to spot the wide variety of southbound birds, such as the aptly named “Yellow-Rumped Warbler” (see photo), which begins to migrate through Prospect Park in mid-September. One of our favorite bird watching routes begins at the Boathouse. Head over the Lullwater Bridge, then turn right on the woodchip path. Follow the trail around to the Peninsula where you might find Pine Warblers, Red Starts, as well as Baltimore Orioles. After a stroll around the Peninsula, hike up Lookout Hill to see if you can spot migrating raptors and more.

If bird watching is a newer interest, or first time endeavor, join the Prospect Park Alliance for a range of bird watching programs through its Audubon Center. The Brooklyn Bird Club leads an introduction to bird watching on Saturdays at noon, and early morning bird walks the first Sunday of the month at 8 am. Children and their caregivers can enjoy Blooming Naturalists, which takes place every Thursday and Friday at 1 pm, Family Bird Watching the second Saturday of every month at 10 am, and also Pop-Up Audubon, which takes place at locations throughout the park every Saturday and Sunday. The theme for September’s Pop-Up Audubon is Radical Raptors, and don’t miss out on Raptor Fest, the annual Alliance and Urban Park Rangers event on Sunday, October 5, which features hawks, falcons, owls and other birds of prey.

Check out our Events Calendar for more information on bird watching in Prospect Park. Spot any interesting birds? Share your photos with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with hashtag #prospectparkbirds.