Summer — the season of sun, beaches and vacation.
As the spring quarter reaches its end, one needs to figure out what they’re going to do with their break. Some of you may be staying home with your families. Some of you might be working full-time or taking summer classes. I, for one, will be birding as much as possible. I recently spent a week in New York City for a graduation and was lucky enough to spend my free time birding around the city.
The Pacific Northwest is already an incredible place for birds. With a myriad of different ecosystems, there are so many different species that call this region home. But the best thing about birding is that you can do it anywhere.
According to the International Trade Administration, New York was one of the most visited states by overseas visitors with NYC also being the most visited city in 2024. When you think about NYC, it’s a heavily populated urban area with its wildlife consisting of rats and pigeons. Let me tell you though, the birding is pretty good.
While NYC really is a “concrete jungle,” there are a decent handful of large parks scattered through the boroughs. The most famous example would be Central Park in Manhattan. Prospect Park is another naturalistic area located in Brooklyn and is home to the first urban Audubon Center which opened its doors in 2002.
Even away from these parks, you’ll see smaller birds like house sparrows and various warbler species. New York City is proof that sharing our space with nature is possible. If you’re a fan of birds but still want to go party over break, New York City might be a good place to go.
The best part of NYC was how easy it was to get around. I love Seattle but everyone can agree that getting around the city, especially later at night, is an absolute nightmare. The ease of transportation with a robust bus and subway system is something our region is lacking. It made getting to different parks so easy and if you want to enjoy the nightlife that NYC has to offer, you don’t really have to worry about how you’re getting home.
As a dumb 22-year-old who loves birding and going to bars, NYC itched a part of my brain in a way that downtown Seattle hasn’t. Would I move there? No, it was humid and the drivers there genuinely terrified me. Was it an incredible place to spend my week? Yes and if you enjoy birding and bar hopping, I think you’ll feel the same way. There really is no place like home but NYC did get pretty close.
