Prospect Park

New York · Northeast

EasyOfficial Site View on eBird

Habitat

Urban ParkForestLake

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

5:00 AM – 1:00 AM daily

About This Location

Prospect Park is Brooklyn's premier birding destination, a 585-acre urban oasis designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Samuel Parsons. With over 280 species recorded, the park's mix of mature woodlands, meadows, and a 60-acre lake provides exceptional habitat diversity in the heart of one of New York City's most densely populated boroughs.

The Ravine and Midwood sections harbor migrant warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers during spring and fall, while the Lake and Lullwater attract herons, egrets, and waterfowl year-round. Prospect Park's position along the Atlantic Flyway makes it one of the most important stopover sites for Neotropical migrants in the urban Northeast.

Location

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Notable Species

Black-crowned Night-Heron Wood Duck Blackburnian Warbler Rusty Blackbird Green Heron Eastern Screech-Owl

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

Canada Goose

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

10 birds

Mute Swan

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

2 birds

Blue Jay

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

2 birds

Tufted Titmouse

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

4 birds

Brown Creeper

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

1 birds

European Starling

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

4 birds

House Sparrow

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

7 birds

White-throated Sparrow

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

3 birds

Song Sparrow

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

6 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

6 birds

Common Grackle

Prospect Park

3/5/2026

21 birds

Mallard

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

26 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Robin

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

4 birds

Rock Pigeon

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

200 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cedar Waxwing

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

7 birds

House Finch

Prospect Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
The Ravine and Midwood are the best areas for spring warbler fallouts
2
Check the Lullwater for herons, Wood Ducks, and kingfishers year-round
3
Join Brooklyn Bird Club walks for guided access and expert identification help

Amenities

Restrooms

Trails

Water Fountains

Parking

Nearby Attractions

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Museum

More in New York

Central Park

Manhattan's surprising migrant trap with 280+ species in the heart of NYC.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

NYC's premier shorebird and waterfowl refuge with 330+ species recorded.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Finger Lakes wetland refuge with massive waterfowl concentrations during migration.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

What birds can I see at Prospect Park?▼

Notable species at Prospect Park include Black-crowned Night-Heron, Wood Duck, Blackburnian Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, Green Heron, Eastern Screech-Owl. The area supports urban park, forest, lake habitats.

How difficult is birding at Prospect Park?▼

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

Is there an entrance fee at Prospect Park?▼

There is no entrance fee at Prospect Park. Hours: 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM daily.

What amenities are available at Prospect Park?▼

Prospect Park offers the following amenities: Restrooms, Trails, Water Fountains, Parking.