Forest Park

New York · Northeast

EasyOfficial Site View on eBird

Habitat

ForestUrban Park

Best Seasons

SpringWinter

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

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

Great Horned Owl Eastern Screech-Owl Ovenbird Scarlet Tanager Wood Thrush Red-bellied Woodpecker

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

3/5/20263663 Haskell Valley View Road, Cuba, New York, US (42.15, -78.285)

Ring-necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

3/5/2026Fishkill Creek / Clove Mountain Rd4 observed

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/5/2026Buffalo RiverWorks1 observed

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

3/5/2026Hamilton College (Campus Grounds)1 observed

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

3/5/2026Quaker Bridge2 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/5/2026Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/5/2026Ft. Edward Yacht Basin1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

3/5/2026Wallabout Channel1 observed

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

3/5/2026Webster Park--Campground area

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescens

3/5/2026Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Assn.1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/5/2026Bradley Beach, Ft. Edward1 observed

Pine Grosbeak

Pinicola enucleator

3/5/2026Webster Park--Campground area2 observed

Common x Barrow's Goldeneye (hybrid)

Bucephala clangula x islandica

3/5/2026Stillwater Blockhouse Park1 observed

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelope

3/5/2026Agawam Lake1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/5/2026Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost1 observed

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens

3/5/2026Stevenson Rd. Game Farm and Compost1 observed

American Wigeon

Mareca americana

3/5/2026Governors Island (N.Y. County)20 observed

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritima

3/5/2026Governors Island (N.Y. County)9 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

3/5/2026Governors Island (N.Y. County)1 observed

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

3/5/2026Kingston Point1 observed

Recent Observations

American Woodcock

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

1 birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

4 birds

Canada Goose

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

22 birds

Mourning Dove

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-billed Gull

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

4 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

3 birds

American Crow

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

3 birds

European Starling

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

7 birds

Northern Mockingbird

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Robin

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

60 birds

House Sparrow

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

7 birds

House Finch

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

2 birds

White-throated Sparrow

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

4 birds

Common Grackle

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

6 birds

Northern Cardinal

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

2 birds

Mallard

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

6 birds

Hooded Merganser

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

3 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn

3/4/2026

1 birds

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

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Queens Museum
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

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Finger Lakes wetland refuge with massive waterfowl concentrations during migration.

Birding Guides

How to Identify Birds Like an Expert: The Four Keys to Field Identification

11 min read

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching: Gear, Identification, and Etiquette

8 min read

How to Start and Maintain a Birding Life List: A Beginner's Guide

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Forest Park for birding?▼

The best months to visit Forest Park for birding are April-May. The best seasons are Spring and Winter.

What birds can I see at Forest Park?▼

Notable species at Forest Park include Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Red-bellied Woodpecker. The area supports forest, urban park habitats.

How difficult is birding at Forest Park?▼

Birding at Forest Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Forest Park?▼

There is no entrance fee at Forest Park. Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily.

What amenities are available at Forest Park?▼

Forest Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.