Spring and Fall Migrations bring the most species into the park and are the best times for birding although the park is a good spot year round.
Winter - Winter is probably the most quiet time of year in Inwood Hill Park. CANADA GOOSE and MALLARD are the most common waterfowl but visitors such as AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and CANVASBACK will occasionally be observed in the Spuyten Duyvil, Muscota Marsh, and tidal basin.
The fenced-in regeneration area can be a good vagrant trap with the occasional late warbler showing up such as ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
The Clove is a good spot for WINTER WREN. You can often hear them while walking the Clove trail from the caves to the top. The tangles of vines and large trees can be a good spot for GREAT HORNED OWL. The pines on top of the ridge are another good place for Great Horned Owls and BARRED OWLS. EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS love the numerous cavities in the park and have been known to breed here. AMERICAN CROWS, BLUE JAYS, and small songbirds often will assist in detecting their presence. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK has over-wintered in the area for a few years.
The Overlook and Dykman Fields are a good place to look for flyover BALD EAGLES during the winter. During exceptionally cold winters, Bald Eagles will sometimes ride the ice floes on the Hudson River. Just north of the train bridge on the Hudson River can be a potential spot for COMMON GOLDENEYE. GREATER SCAUP and LONG-TAILED DUCK can also sometimes be seen on the river.
Spring - Spring is an exciting time for the park. On a good day of migration you can see 80+ species in the park. 34 species of warbler have been observed in the park.
My strategy for spring birding is to start at Muscota Marsh at daybreak and walk along the water. Muscota Marsh is a good spot for MARSH WREN and SWAMP SPARROW. You can pick up any waterfowl and potentially SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the mudflats. BARN SWALLOWS, TREE SWALLOWS, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS can be seen foraging for insects over the water. In the trees along the water you can hear WARBLING VIREO, ORCHARD ORIOLE and BALTIMORE ORIOLE singing.
The soccer field and fenced-in regineration area are good spots for sparrows and the occasional warbler. The trees in this area can also be good for migrants dropping into the park at first light.
As the sunlight hits the eastern face of the ridge, migrant activity seems to pick up. The trail that leads up towards the Henry Hudson Bridge is usually good for warblers, vireos, GRAY CATBIRDS, and thrushes.
The top of the ridge is a great place to view migrants. The great thing about the ridge is that you can look into the tops of the trees that are in the Clove at eye level. The stone wall overlooking the Clove (sometimes called the Hacking Station or the Parapet) can be a good place to check the treetops.
The top of the ridge in general is a great spot for migrants and resident species. Try all the trails on top of the ridge and see where the action is. Check the pines for owls and work your way to Overlook. TURKEY VULTURES and BLACK VULTURES can be seen over the Palisades across the river.
Pockets of action seem to move around in the Spring so it seems best to move around and see what spot is the best at that time.
The Clove is the best spot for WOOD THRUSH can be heard singing often.
Summer - Summer time is breeding time in the park. Most of the year round species breed in the park along with migrants like Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, and others. The park is a little less active in the summer and no spot seems to be better than any other. GREEN HERON and SNOWY EGRET will join the more common GREAT BLUE HERON and GREAT EGRET in the summer. PEREGRINE FALCONS can be seen regularly (and breed) on the Broadway Bridge and can be viewed from Muscota Marsh.
Fall - The Fall is a fun time in Inwood Hill Park. Migrants are working their way down from the breeding grounds and an occasional vagrant can show up as well. Check the tide charts to see when the mudflats are exposed. LEAST SANDPIPER and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS are regular visitors in the fall. Less common visitors like SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER are possible as well.
The soccer field is the best place for mixed sparrow flocks in the Fall and the occasional uncommon sparrow like VESPER SPARROW.
The Ridge is still a good place for warblers in the fall and continue to check the pines for owls.
The location in the park that in recent years is getting the most attention in the fall is the Dyckman Fields and Dyckman Pier. The Hudson River flyway can produce some magnificant flyovers under the right conditions. Geese, ducks, raptors, and passerines can be viewed in the hundreds as they migrate south. This is the best spot to pick up a rarity for the park as well. Vagrant BROWN BOOBY, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, and BROWN PELICAN have been observed in recent years. All three scoters of this region have been viewed from this location as well.
The Dyckman Fields is also a good spot for AMERICAN PIPIT in the fall and late warblers have also been seen along the fence line to the train tracks. These fields can also be a good spot for sparrows.
Special Circumstances - Tropical Storms and Hurricanes have produced some rare vagrants to the park as well. Of course, safety is the first concern in a situation like this but if conditions are safe, viewing along the Hudson River can produce some amazing results.
Spring and Fall Migrations bring the most species into the park and are the best times for birding although the park is a good spot year round.
Winter - Winter is probably the most quiet time of year in Inwood Hill Park. CANADA GOOSE and MALLARD are the most common waterfowl but visitors such as AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and CANVASBACK will occasionally be observed in the Spuyten Duyvil, Muscota Marsh, and tidal basin.
The fenced-in regeneration area can be a good vagrant trap with the occasional late warbler showing up such as ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
The Clove is a good spot for WINTER WREN. You can often hear them while walking the Clove trail from the caves to the top. The tangles of vines and large trees can be a good spot for GREAT HORNED OWL. The pines on top of the ridge are another good place for Great Horned Owls and BARRED OWLS. EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS love the numerous cavities in the park and have been known to breed here. AMERICAN CROWS, BLUE JAYS, and small songbirds often will assist in detecting their presence. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK has over-wintered in the area for a few years.
The Overlook and Dykman Fields are a good place to look for flyover BALD EAGLES during the winter. During exceptionally cold winters, Bald Eagles will sometimes ride the ice floes on the Hudson River. Just north of the train bridge on the Hudson River can be a potential spot for COMMON GOLDENEYE. GREATER SCAUP and LONG-TAILED DUCK can also sometimes be seen on the river.
Spring - Spring is an exciting time for the park. On a good day of migration you can see 80+ species in the park. 34 species of warbler have been observed in the park.
My strategy for spring birding is to start at Muscota Marsh at daybreak and walk along the water. Muscota Marsh is a good spot for MARSH WREN and SWAMP SPARROW. You can pick up any waterfowl and potentially SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the mudflats. BARN SWALLOWS, TREE SWALLOWS, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS can be seen foraging for insects over the water. In the trees along the water you can hear WARBLING VIREO, ORCHARD ORIOLE and BALTIMORE ORIOLE singing.
The soccer field and fenced-in regineration area are good spots for sparrows and the occasional warbler. The trees in this area can also be good for migrants dropping into the park at first light.
As the sunlight hits the eastern face of the ridge, migrant activity seems to pick up. The trail that leads up towards the Henry Hudson Bridge is usually good for warblers, vireos, GRAY CATBIRDS, and thrushes.
The top of the ridge is a great place to view migrants. The great thing about the ridge is that you can look into the tops of the trees that are in the Clove at eye level. The stone wall overlooking the Clove (sometimes called the Hacking Station or the Parapet) can be a good place to check the treetops.
The top of the ridge in general is a great spot for migrants and resident species. Try all the trails on top of the ridge and see where the action is. Check the pines for owls and work your way to Overlook. TURKEY VULTURES and BLACK VULTURES can be seen over the Palisades across the river.
Pockets of action seem to move around in the Spring so it seems best to move around and see what spot is the best at that time.
The Clove is the best spot for WOOD THRUSH can be heard singing often.
Summer - Summer time is breeding time in the park. Most of the year round species breed in the park along with migrants like Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, and others. The park is a little less active in the summer and no spot seems to be better than any other. GREEN HERON and SNOWY EGRET will join the more common GREAT BLUE HERON and GREAT EGRET in the summer. PEREGRINE FALCONS can be seen regularly (and breed) on the Broadway Bridge and can be viewed from Muscota Marsh.
Fall - The Fall is a fun time in Inwood Hill Park. Migrants are working their way down from the breeding grounds and an occasional vagrant can show up as well. Check the tide charts to see when the mudflats are exposed. LEAST SANDPIPER and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS are regular visitors in the fall. Less common visitors like SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER are possible as well.
The soccer field is the best place for mixed sparrow flocks in the Fall and the occasional uncommon sparrow like VESPER SPARROW.
The Ridge is still a good place for warblers in the fall and continue to check the pines for owls.
The location in the park that in recent years is getting the most attention in the fall is the Dyckman Fields and Dyckman Pier. The Hudson River flyway can produce some magnificant flyovers under the right conditions. Geese, ducks, raptors, and passerines can be viewed in the hundreds as they migrate south. This is the best spot to pick up a rarity for the park as well. Vagrant BROWN BOOBY, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, and BROWN PELICAN have been observed in recent years. All three scoters of this region have been viewed from this location as well.
The Dyckman Fields is also a good spot for AMERICAN PIPIT in the fall and late warblers have also been seen along the fence line to the train tracks. These fields can also be a good spot for sparrows.
Special Circumstances - Tropical Storms and Hurricanes have produced some rare vagrants to the park as well. Of course, safety is the first concern in a situation like this but if conditions are safe, viewing along the Hudson River can produce some amazing results.
Spring and Fall Migrations bring the most species into the park and are the best times for birding although the park is a good spot year round.
round.
Winter - Winter is probably the most quiet time of year in Inwood Hill Park. CANADA GOOSE and MALLARD are the most common waterfowl but visitors such as AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and CANVASBACK will occasionally be observed in the Spuyten Duyvil, Muscota Marsh, and tidal basin.
The Clove is a good spot for WINTER WREN. You can often hear them while walking the Clove trail from the caves to the top. The tangles of vines and large trees can be a good spot for GREAT HORNED OWL. The pines on top of the ridge are another good place for Great Horned Owls and BARRED OWLS. EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS love the numerous cavities in the park and have been known to breed here. AMERICAN CROWS, BLUE JAYS, and small songbirds often will assist in detecting their presence.
A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK has over-wintered in the area for a few years.
The Overlook and Dykman Fields are a good place to look for flyover BALD EAGLES during the winter. During exceptionally cold winters, Bald Eagles will sometimes ride the ice floes on the Hudson River. Just north of the train bridge on the Hudson River can be a potential spot for COMMON GOLDENEYE. GREATER SCAUP and LONG-TAILED DUCK can also sometimes be seen on the river.
Spring - Spring is an exciting time for the park. On a good day of migration you can see 80+ species in the park. 34 species of warbler have been observed in the park.
My strategy for spring birding is to start at Muscota Marsh at daybreak and walk along the water. Muscota Marsh is a good spot for MARSH WREN and SWAMP SPARROW. You can pick up any waterfowl and potentially SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the mudflats. BARN SWALLOWS, TREE SWALLOWS, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS can be seen foraging for insects over the water. In the trees along the water you can hear WARBLING VIREO, ORCHARD ORIOLE and BALTIMORE ORIOLE singing.
The soccer field and fenced-in regineration area are good spots for sparrows and the occasional warbler. The trees in this area can also be good for migrants dropping into the park at first light.
As the sunlight hits the eastern face of the ridge, migrant activity seems to pick up. The trail that leads up towards the Henry Hudson Bridge is usually good for warblers, vireos, GRAY CATBIRDS, and thrushes.
The top of the ridge is a great place to view migrants. The great thing about the ridge is that you can look into the tops of the trees that are in the Clove at eye level. The stone wall overlooking the Clove (sometimes called the Hacking Station or the Parapet) can be a good place to check the treetops.
The top of the ridge in general is a great spot for migrants and resident species. Try all the trails on top of the ridge and see where the action is. Check the pines for owls and work your way to Overlook. TURKEY VULTURES and BLACK VULTURES can be seen over the Palisades across the river.
Pockets of action seem to move around in the Spring so it seems best to move around and see what spot is the best at that time.
The Clove is the best spot for WOOD THRUSH can be heard singing often.
Summer - Summer time is breeding time in the park. Most of the year round species breed in the park along with migrants like Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, and others. The park is a little less active in the summer and no spot seems to be better than any other. GREEN HERON and SNOWY EGRET will join the more common GREAT BLUE HERON and GREAT EGRET in the summer. PEREGRINE FALCONS can be seen regularly (and breed) on the Broadway Bridge and can be viewed from Muscota Marsh.
Fall - The Fall is a fun time in Inwood Hill Park. Migrants are working their way down from the breeding grounds and an occasional vagrant can show up as well. Check the tide charts to see when the mudflats are exposed. LEAST SANDPIPER and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS are regular visitors in the fall. Less common visitors like SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER are possible as well.
Spring and Fall Migrations bring the most species into the park and are the best times for birding although the park is a good spot year round.
Winter - Winter is probably the most quiet time of year in Inwood Hill Park. CANADA GOOSE and MALLARD are the most common waterfowl but visitors such as AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, HOODED MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and CANVASBACK will occasionally be observed in the Spuyten Duyvil, Muscota Marsh, and tidal basin.
The Clove is a good spot for WINTER WREN. You can often hear them while walking the Clove trail from the caves to the top. The tangles of vines and large trees can be a good spot for GREAT HORNED OWL. The pines on top of the ridge are another good place for Great Horned Owls and BARRED OWLS. EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS love the numerous cavities in the park and have been known to breed here. AMERICAN CROWS, BLUE JAYS, and small songbirds often will assist in detecting their presence.
The Overlook and Dykman Fields are a good place to look for flyover BALD EAGLES during the winter. During exceptionally cold winters, Bald Eagles will sometimes ride the ice floes on the Hudson River. Just north of the train bridge on the Hudson River can be a potential spot for COMMON GOLDENEYE. GREATER SCAUP and LONG-TAILED DUCK can also sometimes be seen on the river.
Spring - Spring is an exciting time for the park. On a good day of migration you can see 80+ species in the park. 34 species of warbler have been observed in the park.
My strategy for spring birding is to start at Muscota Marsh at daybreak and walk along the water. Muscota Marsh is a good spot for MARSH WREN and SWAMP SPARROW. You can pick up any waterfowl and potentially SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS on the mudflats. BARN SWALLOWS, TREE SWALLOWS, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS can be seen foraging for insects over the water. In the trees along the water you can hear WARBLING VIREO, ORCHARD ORIOLE and BALTIMORE ORIOLE singing.
The soccer field and fenced-in regineration area are good spots for sparrows and the occasional warbler. The trees in this area can also be good for migrants dropping into the park at first light.
As the sunlight hits the eastern face of the ridge, migrant activity seems to pick up. The trail that leads up towards the Henry Hudson Bridge is usually good for warblers, vireos, GRAY CATBIRDS, and thrushes.
The top of the ridge is a great place to view migrants. The great thing about the ridge is that you can look into the tops of the trees that are in the Clove at eye level. The stone wall overlooking the Clove (sometimes called the Hacking Station or the Parapet) can be a good place to check the treetops.
The top of the ridge in general is a great spot for migrants and resident species. Try all the trails on top of the ridge and see where the action is. Check the pines for owls and work your way to Overlook. TURKEY VULTURES and BLACK VULTURES can be seen over the Palisades across the river.
