Van Cortlandt Park
New York · Northeast
Moderate
April-May
Free
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
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Black-throated Green Warbler
Setophaga virens
Black Scoter
Melanitta americana
Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Rock Pigeon
Double-crested Cormorant
Osprey
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Gray Catbird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
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
Nearby Attractions
- Wave Hill
- New York Botanical Garden
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