Van Cortlandt Park

New York · Northeast

ModerateOfficial Site View on eBird

Habitat

ForestWetlandGrasslandLake

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily

About This Location

Van Cortlandt Park is the Bronx's largest park at over 1,100 acres, encompassing mature forest, freshwater marsh, open meadows, and a large lake that together support more than 250 bird species. The park's Northwest Forest is the largest remaining tract of old-growth woodland in New York City and provides critical stopover habitat for migrating songbirds.

The Van Cortlandt Lake and adjacent marsh attract migrating shorebirds, herons, and waterfowl, while the ridgeline above the Croton Aqueduct trail offers excellent hawk watching during fall migration. Breeding birds include Louisiana Waterthrush, Red-shouldered Hawk, and various woodpecker species in the forest interior.

Location

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Notable Species

Louisiana Waterthrush Red-shouldered Hawk Pileated Woodpecker American Woodcock Great Blue Heron Cooper's Hawk

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

Turkey Vulture

East Rock Park

3/1/2026

5 birds

Hairy Woodpecker

East Rock Park

3/1/2026

1 birds

American Crow

East Rock Park

3/1/2026

1 birds

Fish Crow

East Rock Park

3/1/2026

1 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

East Rock Park

3/1/2026

1 birds

Wood Duck

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Mallard

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

11 birds

American Black Duck

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Hooded Merganser

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Common Merganser

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Mourning Dove

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

2 birds

Downy Woodpecker

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Northern Flicker

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Peregrine Falcon

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

4 birds

Common Raven

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

2 birds

Carolina Wren

East Rock Park

2/27/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
The Northwest Forest old-growth section is best for breeding warblers and woodpeckers
2
Check the lake and marsh early morning for herons and waterfowl
3
Fall hawk migration can be observed from ridgeline trails above the Croton Aqueduct

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Wave Hill
New York Botanical Garden

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

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

What birds can I see at Van Cortlandt Park?▼

Notable species at Van Cortlandt Park include Louisiana Waterthrush, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, American Woodcock, Great Blue Heron, Cooper's Hawk. The area supports forest, wetland, grassland, lake habitats.

How difficult is birding at Van Cortlandt Park?▼

Birding at Van Cortlandt Park is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Van Cortlandt Park?▼

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

What amenities are available at Van Cortlandt Park?▼

Van Cortlandt Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.