Spring and Fall Migration in New York City

a yellow bird sings while sitting on a tree branch

Good Migrations

Be like a songbird and sing along to our playlist while you're out birdwatching or just enjoying the seasons!

Each spring and fall, birdwatchers have the special opportunity to see hundreds of species of songbirds, shorebirds, birds of prey, and waterfowl that visit New York City, thanks to our city's prime location along the area traditionally known as the Atlantic Flyway.

What is the Atlantic Flyway?

Millions of birds use flyways (or migration corridors) to migrate in order to avoid overpopulation in their breeding grounds and to find more abundant food supplies. The concept of a “flyway” is primarily a theoretical one, bringing together a geographic region of routes used differently by migratory species — the distance traveled along the flyway and specific routes taken vary by species and can vary by season.

The Atlantic Flyway is one of four major migration corridors in North America. It stretches from Greenland and Nova Scotia in the north along the eastern coast in North America to the tropics of the Caribbean. New York City is situated directly in the Atlantic Flyway and our city’s parks provide ideal spots for migratory birds to rest and refuel on their epic journeys.

When is Peak Fall and Spring Migration?

In New York City, spring migration spans March to June, with peak songbird migration occurring between mid-April and mid-May. Fall migration spans a larger portion of the calendar. It can start as early as mid-June for some species and last through December. Peak fall migration in NYC often occurs between mid-August and mid-October.

Frequent Fliers

Common migratory birds in New York City include:

Songbirds
such as warblers, flycatchers, swallows, orioles, sparrows, and thrushes

Waterfowl
such as ruddy ducks, black ducks, snow geese, tundra swans, Canada geese, and Atlantic brants

Shorebirds
such as piping plovers, American oystercatchers, black skimmers, common terns, red knots

Birds of prey
such as peregrine falcons, bald eagles, northern harriers, osprey, sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and red-tailed hawks

* Click on images above to view larger

Navigating the Flyway

Migratory birds use a variety of methods to navigate the flyway:

Topographical cues, such as coastlines, river courses, and mountain ranges, help to guide the journey.
Astronomical and physical signposts, such as the stars, the sun, and the earth’s magnetic field, also aid in the steering of migrating flocks towards their destinations.
Migrating at night is another option many birds choose in order to conserve energy due to cooler temperatures and a less turbulent atmosphere to fly through. They can also avoid daytime predators. Large migrating flocks routinely show up on nighttime radar scans at airports, such as JFK Airport. During the day, they descend upon our greenspaces, providing spectacular opportunities for birdwatching.

How Parks Cares for Migratory Birds

The wetlands, grasslands, beaches, and forests of NYC are critical refueling stops for tens of thousands of birds that pass through in each migration season. NYC Parks staff and volunteers work hard to protect these spaces by:

removing plant species that harm our parks' biodiversity,
planting helpful grasses, trees, and shrubs, and
educating the public about co-existing with wildlife

a bird munches on red berries on a tree

How You Can Help Birds Safely Visit Our City

As birds fly through our city during spring and fall migration, follow these helpful tips to help keep our feathered friends safe:

Make Your Windows Bird-Safe

As migratory birds journey through urban areas, they face threats from human-made structures. Glass-covered buildings present a collision hazard, as the reflection of open space in glass windows may confuse birds. NYC Local Law 15 requires new construction and significantly altered buildings to use materials that reduce bird strike fatalities. You can make your own windows bird-friendly by installing bird-safe glass or adding temporary decals during migration periods.

Turn Off Unnecessary Lights at Night

Many birds migrate in the evenings or overnight. Scientists have suggested the bright lights of urban areas may be interfering with the navigation abilities of birds that use the position of stars to navigate. Campaigns like Lights Out New York and others across the country have been created to dim bright building lights during migration season to provide safer passage for birds. There are also resources online that provide forecasts of nocturnal bird migrations.

Avoid Feeding Them

Birds making the migratory journey are well adapted to finding their own healthy food and do not need supplemental food from humans. Never feed or provide food for wildlife. Food items commonly given to birds, like bread and corn, are low in necessary nutrients and can displace healthy foods that the birds naturally eat, causing them to become malnourished. Feeding waterfowl directly can also promote water pollution and disease in waterfowl populations.

Report Injured Birds

If you see an injured bird in a park, please report it to our Urban Park Rangers by calling 311. If you discover an injured bird outside of our parks, bring it to your local Animal Care Center or to our friends at the Wild Bird Fund. You can also volunteer with NYC Audubon’s Project Safe Flight to collect data during spring and fall migration.

Baby Birds

In the springtime, you may discover fledglings (baby birds that are fully feathered) on the ground. Give them some space; they're likely still working on their wing strength, and their parents are likely nearby.