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A beautiful view of the city from Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Birding in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Perched atop one of Brooklyn’s highest natural points, Sunset Park offers a surprising diversity of birding to go with breathtaking views of New York Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline, and New Jersey.
Though small in size, this vibrant neighborhood park’s mix of open lawns, mature trees, and proximity to the waterfront creates opportunities to observe a wide variety of migratory songbirds, several nesting land bird species, and a diversity of waterbirds in flight.
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Birding Highlights by Season
(no star = low activity, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
Spring Migration ✸✸
Warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other land birds; sightings of waterbirds in flight
Warblers, thrushes, sparrows, and other land birds; sightings of waterbirds in flight
Summer ✸
Common breeding land birds including Chimney Swift, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, and Cedar Waxwing
Common breeding land birds including Chimney Swift, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, and Cedar Waxwing
Fall Migration ✸✸
Warblers, kinglets, sparrows, and other songbirds; resident juvenile Red-tailed Hawks
Warblers, kinglets, sparrows, and other songbirds; resident juvenile Red-tailed Hawks
Winter ✸✸
Wintering woodpeckers and mixed songbird flocks; Cooper’s and Red-tailed Hawk
Wintering woodpeckers and mixed songbird flocks; Cooper’s and Red-tailed Hawk
Year-Round Highlights
American Kestrel, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, and Northern Cardinal; Ring-billed and Herring Gulls
American Kestrel, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, and Northern Cardinal; Ring-billed and Herring Gulls
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"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" class="attachment attachment--content"> Get Oriented
View a Google map of Sunset Park.
The park sits on an inclined hill and features mature trees, paved paths, and a mix of active and passive recreational spaces, including volleyball courts, open lawns, and a recreation center. Its western edge overlooks the Upper Bay, providing opportunities to observe gulls, cormorants, and passing waterbirds.
During migration, the limited habitat of tree canopy and landscaped plantings can attract a rewarding diversity of songbirds moving through this otherwise dense urban corridor; over 25 species of warblers have been spotted here. Less common sightings have included Philadelphia Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Kentucky Warbler, and Blue Grosbeak.
When to Go Birding in Sunset Park
To see birding highlights by the season at Sunset Park, see the top of this section.
To learn about bird migration times and get other timing tips, see the When to Bird in NYC guide on our Birding 101 page.
For park operating hours, see the “Directions and Visiting Info” section, below.
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Personal Safety
Sunset Park is a well-frequented neighborhood park and is generally safe to bird alone during daytime hours. The park is heavily used by the community on weekends.
Guided Bird Outings
Visit NYC Bird Alliance's Local Outings and Classes page for information on upcoming outings led by NYC Bird Alliance.
NYC Bird Alliance frequently programs introductory bilingual bird outings in Mandarin and Spanish, where participants can engage with birds in an accessible neighborhood setting while learning about urban ecology and conservation.
Directions and Visiting Information
Sunset Park is easily accessible by public transportation. This neighborhood park is served by the D subway line stopping at 9 Av station, and the N/W/R at 45 Street.
View a Google map of Sunset Park.
Visit the NYC Parks page for Sunset Park for operating hours, directions, and additional background information.
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