Central Park Birdwatching Walk for Beginners with That Quirky Bird Girl

Central Park is one of the best places in New York to start watching birds, and this walk is built for people who have never held a pair of binoculars. The guide is Steph, the bird enthusiast behind That Quirky Bird Girl, and her aim is a simple one: get you to slow down, look up and notice how much wildlife there is in the middle of Manhattan. The group meets on Bethesda Terrace by the east stairs above the fountain. After a short introduction to the birds you are most likely to see and the landmarks on the route, the walk sets off for about an hour and a half, first to Bow Bridge for the view and the first sightings, then into the Ramble, the park's wooded tangle of paths and a favorite spot for birders. There you look for Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, White-throated Sparrows, Hermit Thrushes, robins and whatever else turns up, and Steph shows you how to use the Merlin app to identify birds by their songs and calls. The walk ends at the Boathouse, a few minutes from where it started. You learn what to look and listen for, how to get comfortable with binoculars, and a few good bird stories along the way. Nearly 200 species pass through New York over the year: ducks and resident birds in winter, colorful migrants in spring and fall, nesting birds raising their young in summer. No two walks are the same, which is a reason to come back in a different season. If you don't own binoculars, ask in advance to borrow a pair. The route is wheelchair and stroller accessible and suits all fitness levels. Guiding is in English, Italian or Spanish, and one booking covers up to 13 people. Arrive on time: the walk leaves after a 10-minute grace period.