Forest Park
New York · Northeast
Easy
April-May
Free
6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
About This Location
Forest Park in Queens contains one of the largest remaining tracts of native oak forest in New York City, spanning 538 acres along the glacial terminal moraine. The mature forest canopy and dense understory create ideal conditions for breeding owls, migrant warblers, and forest-interior specialists that are scarce elsewhere in the city.
The park has recorded over 200 bird species, with Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech-Owls breeding regularly in the old-growth sections. Spring migration brings waves of warblers, vireos, and thrushes to the oak canopy, while the Waterhole area near the bandshell is a legendary migrant concentration point where dozens of species can be seen in a single morning.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Prothonotary Warbler
Protonotaria citrea
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Laughing Gull
Monk Parakeet
American Crow
American Robin
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mallard
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
House Sparrow
Birding Tips
- 1
The Waterhole near the bandshell is the top spot for migrating songbirds
- 2
Visit in winter to search for resident Great Horned Owls in the oak forest
- 3
The Victory Field area is good for sparrows and open-country birds in fall
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Queens Museum
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
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