Each fall, migrating birds can be seen flying south to their wintering grounds.
This is the ideal time of year for New York residents and visitors to head to Bird Conservation Areas across the state for great bird watching opportunities.
With birds on the move, your favorite birding site can change within a few days with different species traveling in and out.
Every spring and fall, thousands of raptors migrate, so birders may see or hear eagles, kestrels, sharp-shinned hawks, ospreys, broad-winged hawks, peregrine falcons, and more.
The NYS Birding Trail highlights several hawk watches including Bear Mountain Hawk Watch, Hook Mountain Hawk Watch, and Mount Peter Hawkwatch Trailway.
Recently four more sites have been added to the Birding Trail. In Fulton County, FJ&G Rail Trail: Johnstown, FJ&G Rail Trail: Vail Mills/Broadalbin Segment, and Trail Station Park offer birding along the Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Rail Trail.
In the Catskills, the newly added Mountain Top Historical Society in Greene County offers trails, educational and historical programming, workshops, and access to the 1.5-mile Kaaterskill Rail Trail.
It’s also important for everyone to turn off the lights for birds at night. DEC launched the Lights Out initiative aimed at keeping non-essential outdoor lighting from affecting the ability of birds to migrate successfully.
Many species of shorebirds and songbirds rely on constellations to help them navigate to and from their summer breeding grounds through the State.
Excessive outdoor lighting, especially in adverse weather conditions, can cause these migrating birds to become disoriented, a phenomenon known as fatal light attraction.
View the latest BirdCast migration forecasts and maps for birds in your area.
Read more about birds and birding in New York State.
Illustration: BirdCast bird migration forecast map for September 26, 2025.
