In Westchester:
1. Croton Point Park and the surrounding area
This is an excellent spot to go for wintering eagles and waterfowl. When the river freezes over, many eagles can be seen on the ice. In good years, you can expect good numbers and close views of Great Cormorants, Common Mergansers, and a multitude of wintering raptors.
Bald Eagle at Croton Point Park
Amazing views of a Great Cormorant (juv) on the Croton River
2. Rye Marshlands
In the summer months, this is a great place to go to see herons, and possibly catch a glimpse of the elusive Clapper Rails that make the marsh their home (I’ve only heard them). Expect Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Great-blue Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Common Tern. The meadows should also be explored.
A rather close Snowy Egret at the Marshlands
3. Edith Reade
A good, but far too hyped, in my opinion, location for winter waterfowl. You can expect some ducks. Buffleheads and Red-breasted Mergansers are almost a sure bet, but I’ve found other species to be a gamble. If you are lucky, you can get there on a day with good numbers of Scaup. Many owls have turned up here (Barred, Long-eared, Snowy, and Great-horned) but don’t seem to be regulars.
Scaup flock at Reade
Osprey vs. Crow at Reade
5. Sheldrake Lake (Larchmont Reservoir)
A nice spot for winter birds, it has turned up many strange and rare geese. There was a Barnacle Goose there recently (2013), and some Cackling Geese. As for ducks, expect Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, and a pair of Common Mergansers in colder months. Other species do turn up here (Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal) but seem to be more hit or miss.
6. Crestwood Lake (Bronx River)
An excellent year round spot, but don’t expect long lists from this popular (among non-birders) site! Green-winged Teal are almost a sure bet in the colder months here, and you can often get good shots of Green Heron, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Wood Duck in warmer months.
Neighboring areas:
1. Audubon Greenwich
A nice, easily accessible park with a nice visitor center. Expect a spectacular (though usually more distant) fall hawkwatch, and look for other more common birds in warmer months.
2. Greenwich Point
This location has been great for wintering ducks. Expect Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, and Brant in cooler months, and maybe some wintering owls, too. It’s not easily accessible in the summer.
3. Central Park
A good spot to get close to many neat species. Expect Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Wood Ducks, Green Herons, and Great Egrets. In cooler months, look for waterfowl, like Northern Shovelers, Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganser, and many others that often turn up for a few days at a time. In 2014, a Red-necked Grebe wintered here.
4. New York Botanical Gardens
A nice year round site. Great Horned Owls nest here (though i’ve never seen them) and you can expect good birds in a beautiful setting for much of the year.
5. Van Cortland Park
More urban, but It could provide some neat birds.
6. Piermont Pier
An excellent winter spot. Expect amazing views of Canvasback, Ruddy Ducks, and many others that turn up from time to time. There have been amazing birds here, including Snowy Owls, Caspian Terns, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, and the famous Ivory Gull of 2007. Keep your eyes on this site for rarities! I don’t have much experience here withsummer birds, but I imagine it would be great (and will update this if I go in warmer months).
Further away, but still regional:
1. Jamaicca Bay
A spectacular site for all birds, year round. The West Pond used to be awesome, but Hurricane Sandy’s breach made it rather barren. As for now, the East Pond is still great, holding Glossy Ibis, Yellow and Black-crowned Night-Herons, Little Blue Herons, and many others in warmer months. In fall, it is arguably the best shorebird location within 100s of miles of the city. In colder months, look for the flock of Snow Geese that winter here, and other waterfowl and raptors.
2. Jones Beach
3. Floyd Bennett Field
4. Great Swamp, NJ
5. Stratford/Milford area
Westchester Birder 