All of our locations are well suited for observing birds and other wildlife, especially the Urban Forest, which has become a “hot spot” for birders. Each month, birders descend to record and photograph bird observations.

Please note, these monthly birding surveys are conducted by expert birders and are not something we recommend for the general public given the scientific importance these surveys provide for understanding local bird populations and migrations.

For anyone interested in becoming a birding enthusiast, we welcome you to take part in our annual bird-a-thons! At these events you can learn more about birding, participate in a bird survey, and meet experienced birders.

The Urban Forest birders use an application called eBird, managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to count all birds they spy during their visit. Here’s what the eBird website says about the impact their efforts have:

“eBird plays an increasingly important and diverse role in applied science and conservation. eBird data contribute to hundreds of conservation decisions and peer-reviewed papers, thousands of student projects, and help inform research worldwide. Applications of eBird data range from research and monitoring to conservation planning, including tangible conservation actions such as site and habitat management, species management, habitat protection, and informing law and policy … we are committed to ensuring that your data will be put to the best use possible for research, conservation, and education.”

“eBird data document bird distribution, abundance, habitat use, and trends. Birders enter when, where, and how they went birding, and then fill out a checklist of all the birds seen and heard during the outing.”

Boundaries of the HB Urban Forest survey are: HB Central Park Dog Park and equestrian stables to the north, Edward’s to the east, Ellis Avenue to the south and Goldenwest Street to the west.

Bird reports are submitted by lead birder Lena Hayashi.