This website is hosted by Dr. Robert DeCandido, PhD, better known around Central Park as "Birding Bob," who has led guided walks in the park for over 20 years. He is joined in leading the walks by Deb Allen, a noted New York City bird and nature photographer. Deb is featured in this online video about NYC birdwatching. We invite you to join us to watch and study the approximately 235 species of birds that either live year-round in Central Park, winter here, or visit New York City during the spring and fall migrations.
A Sunday morning 9:00 a.m. walk enjoys
spring migration in New York City's Central Park
spring migration in New York City's Central Park
copyright ©Robert DeCandido PhD
Your home for information on the guided bird walks lead each week in
New York City's Central Park by Dr. Robert "Birding Bob" DeCandido
New York City's Central Park by Dr. Robert "Birding Bob" DeCandido
BOB'S BIRD WALKS: THE FINE PRINT
Please make payment to Bob DeCandido or Deb Allen in cash at the start of the walk, thanks. Walks last approximately three hours, but you're free to leave anytime, of course. If you're late for the start just call 347-703-5554 to catch up with the group.
Our Saturday walks meet at the Boathouse (approx. 74th street and the East Drive), and the Sunday walks meet at the Dock on Turtle Pond (79th street in the center of the park next to Delacorte Theater). Walks are $10 for adults, and $5 for kids under 10 years old. We end our walks (about three hours later) at the (Loeb) Boathouse - coffee ($2.25 ), muffins and cookies ($2.00) plus sandwiches ($5 - 8.00) and french fries ($2.75) - Bathrooms are located in two places: inside (better) the Boathouse - in the bar that is adjacent to the Boathouse Cafeteria; - or outside on the east side of the Boathouse. For the Sunday walks, bathrooms also available on the west side of the Delacorte Theater near the Dock at Turtle Pond.
On Fridays we meet at 9:00am at Conservatory Garden, 105th street and 5th Avenue (just inside the main gates). There are bathrooms open year-round at Conservatory Garden. Easiest way to get to Conservatory Garden is (a) by subway: take the #2 or #3 IRT west side train to 110th street and Central Park North. Then cross the street to Central Park and head east (to the left) out to Fifth Avenue, and then south until you reach the main gate to the Conservatory Garden (about a 7-10 minute walk from the train station; easy and safe); (b) from the East Side, you can take the IRT #6 train to Lexington Avenue and 103rd street. Walk west for three blocks and then north by two; (c) Finally, buses run north up Madison Avenue regularly as well such as the #1, #2, #3 and #4.
In spring, most bird walks last about three hours, but you are free to leave at any time. We won't take it personally. We have an extra pair or two of binoculars to rent, so if you want to rent a pair, just call or email before the walk to let us know ($10). Also, if you are thinking of purchasing new binoculars, ask us - we probably have used them, and we will let you know how to get them for the best price. These days we like a relatively unknown brand by the name of Zen-Ray, specifically their 8 x 43 (ED3 model) for about $400; or the Nikon Monarchs for about $300... Look for used binoculars on Ebay too - good deals can occasionally be found there especially on Swarovksi 8x32 binocs.
Please make payment to Bob DeCandido or Deb Allen in cash at the start of the walk, thanks. Walks last approximately three hours, but you're free to leave anytime, of course. If you're late for the start just call 347-703-5554 to catch up with the group.
Our Saturday walks meet at the Boathouse (approx. 74th street and the East Drive), and the Sunday walks meet at the Dock on Turtle Pond (79th street in the center of the park next to Delacorte Theater). Walks are $10 for adults, and $5 for kids under 10 years old. We end our walks (about three hours later) at the (Loeb) Boathouse - coffee ($2.25 ), muffins and cookies ($2.00) plus sandwiches ($5 - 8.00) and french fries ($2.75) - Bathrooms are located in two places: inside (better) the Boathouse - in the bar that is adjacent to the Boathouse Cafeteria; - or outside on the east side of the Boathouse. For the Sunday walks, bathrooms also available on the west side of the Delacorte Theater near the Dock at Turtle Pond.
On Fridays we meet at 9:00am at Conservatory Garden, 105th street and 5th Avenue (just inside the main gates). There are bathrooms open year-round at Conservatory Garden. Easiest way to get to Conservatory Garden is (a) by subway: take the #2 or #3 IRT west side train to 110th street and Central Park North. Then cross the street to Central Park and head east (to the left) out to Fifth Avenue, and then south until you reach the main gate to the Conservatory Garden (about a 7-10 minute walk from the train station; easy and safe); (b) from the East Side, you can take the IRT #6 train to Lexington Avenue and 103rd street. Walk west for three blocks and then north by two; (c) Finally, buses run north up Madison Avenue regularly as well such as the #1, #2, #3 and #4.
In spring, most bird walks last about three hours, but you are free to leave at any time. We won't take it personally. We have an extra pair or two of binoculars to rent, so if you want to rent a pair, just call or email before the walk to let us know ($10). Also, if you are thinking of purchasing new binoculars, ask us - we probably have used them, and we will let you know how to get them for the best price. These days we like a relatively unknown brand by the name of Zen-Ray, specifically their 8 x 43 (ED3 model) for about $400; or the Nikon Monarchs for about $300... Look for used binoculars on Ebay too - good deals can occasionally be found there especially on Swarovksi 8x32 binocs.
MEET BOB & GET A FEEL FOR A BOB BIRD WALK: FILM BY JEREMY ROCKLIN
This 7-minute film is a great way to get introduced to Bob. Follow him through
Central Park on a walk. Get a sense of the park's incredible beauty, along with Bob's background and expertise, his passion for birding,
and his sense of humor.
This 7-minute film is a great way to get introduced to Bob. Follow him through
Central Park on a walk. Get a sense of the park's incredible beauty, along with Bob's background and expertise, his passion for birding,
and his sense of humor.
RECENT CENTRAL PARK HIGHLIGHTS FROM BOB BIRD WALKS (May 8-15)
WARBLERS: 20 warbler species on May 13 alone!
Highlights for the week included prothonotary, prairie, northern parula, magnolia, common yellowthroat, northern waterthrush, chestnut-sided, yellow, bay-breasted, black & white, blackburnian, magnolia, hooded, wilson's, blackpoll, ruby-crowned kinglet, black-throated blue, worm-eating, kentucky, american redstart, ovenbird, yellow-rumped, black-throated green, canada, cape may
VIREOS: yellow-throated, red-eyed, warbling, blue-headed
THRUSHES: swainson's, hermit, veery, wood
OTHER SPECIES:
rough-winged & barn swallows, baltimore oriole
scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, eastern kingbird, belted kingfisher, least & willow flycatchers,
black-crowned night heron,
NY Times kestrel article quotes Birding Bob, photos by Deb Allen
WARBLERS: 20 warbler species on May 13 alone!
Highlights for the week included prothonotary, prairie, northern parula, magnolia, common yellowthroat, northern waterthrush, chestnut-sided, yellow, bay-breasted, black & white, blackburnian, magnolia, hooded, wilson's, blackpoll, ruby-crowned kinglet, black-throated blue, worm-eating, kentucky, american redstart, ovenbird, yellow-rumped, black-throated green, canada, cape may
VIREOS: yellow-throated, red-eyed, warbling, blue-headed
THRUSHES: swainson's, hermit, veery, wood
OTHER SPECIES:
rough-winged & barn swallows, baltimore oriole
scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, eastern kingbird, belted kingfisher, least & willow flycatchers,
black-crowned night heron,
NY Times kestrel article quotes Birding Bob, photos by Deb Allen
Monday Walks:
May 20, 27; June 3
Central Park's Strawberry Fields, 72nd St. & Central Park West.
Meet at the benches near the Imagine Mosaic, 9 am. $7
Tuesday Walks:
May 21, 28; June 4
Meet at the Dock on Turtle Pond, Central Park, 9 am. $7
Wednesday Walks:
May 15, 22, 29; June 5
Meet at the Dock on Turtle Pond, Central Park, 9 am. $7
Thursday Walks:
May 16, 23, 30; June 6
Meet at Central Park's Dock on Turtle Pond, 9 am. $7
Friday Walks:
May 17, 24, 31; June 7
Meet at Conservatory Garden, Central Park, 9 am. $7
Saturday Walks:
May 18, 25: June 1, 8
Meet at Central Park's Boathouse, 9 am. $10
Sunday Walks:
May 19, 26; June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
Meet at the Dock on Turtle Pond, Central Park, 9 am. $10
***SPECIAL EVENING WALKS AT BRYANT PARK ON
TUESDAYS***
Tuesdays: May 21, 28; June 4, 5:15 pm. $5
Meet at 40th St. & 5th Avenue near the NY Public
Library
Bob & Deb encourage you to show up early & do some birding on your own, as they do. They can usually be found somewhere near the start point before the walk begins.
One of Bob's unique infra-red images of Central Park (Upper Lobe)
The El Dorado seen from Central Park
ASIAN RAPTORS In his "other life" Bob conducts much raptor migration research in Thailand. Read his 2012 report.