Welcome to Queens County Bird Club

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, prefer short trips or birding all day, you will feel at home!

The Queens County Bird Club Inc. is a “Full Service” organization of naturalists:
Monthly Meetings – Noted speakers, vivid presentations
Field Trips – half-day, all-day, weekend
Conservation – projects, advocacy, support

NEXT MEETING is LIVE – Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 7:30 – 9:30 pm.

Presentation – “The Galapagos – with Ian Resnick  

QCBC President Ian Resnick will speak about his trip to The Galapagos.

Please arrive early since the front door must be locked after the meeting starts. 

Venue: Alley Pond Environmental Center – NEW BUILDING
229-10 Northern Blvd
Douglaston, NY 11362 (map)

Upcoming field trips – see Calendar link for details and registration info

  • Saturday October 5th – Kissena Park – Led by Eric Miller

    When: Saturday, October 5th, 7:45am – 12:00pm
    Where: Kissena Park – meet at Velodrome parking lot (map)
    Description: This mini-trip includes Kissena Park both east and west of Kissena Blvd. Expect to find many species of sparrows and southbound migrants. Meet at the Kissena Velodrome parking lot, which can be entered from Booth Memorial Ave north of Parsons Blvd – see map.

    You must contact the trip leader to register.

  • Saturday October 12th -Big Sit at Fort Tilden – Led by Corey Finger (10000birds.com) (rain date Sunday Oct. 13th)

    When: Saturday, October 12th, all day (rain date Sunday Oct. 13th)
    Where: Ft Tilden Observation Platform – Battery Harris East (map)
    Description: The QCBC “Big Sit” takes place from dawn to dusk.  You may come and go as you choose.  Park in the lot shown in the map.  Then, proceed west on Range Road (may also be called Murray Rd or Center Rd) until you reach the observation platform near Battery Harris East.  You need to climb up several flights of stairs to access the platform.  
    To find the platform on a map, either

    • Search on Google Maps for “Observation Platform – Ft Tilden” 
    • Or copy/paste these coordinates into your map app:  40.561439, -73.893360  

    Here is part of the official description the “Big Sit”:  Some people have called it a “tailgate party for birders.” Find a good spot for bird watching—preferably one with good views of a variety of habitats and lots of birds. Next, create a real or imaginary circle 17 feet in diameter and sit inside the circle for 24 hours, counting all the bird species you see or hear. That’s it. Find a spot, sit in it, have fun. Then submit your findings.

    You must contact the trip leader to register.

  • Saturday October 26th – Arverne/Bayswater – Led by Joe Schiavone

    When: Saturday, October 26th, 7:30am – 12:00pm
    Where: Arverne East Nature Preserve, 190 Beach 44th St, Queens, NY 11691, USA (map)
    Description: Arverne East NaturePreserve hosts five different maritime ecosystems, providing a safe home fordiverse local flora and fauna. Pedestrian pathways weave through the preserve,offering New Yorkers a new way to observe and appreciate these naturalenvironments, including accessible connections to the Rockaway boardwalk andbeach. A new welcome center was also constructed as part of this project, whichhouses a community meeting space, office space for Urban Park Rangers, crewheadquarters for Parks maintenance staff, and public restrooms.

    “By establishing the new Arverne EastNature Preserve, we’re not only protecting our natural environment but alsoproviding fresh opportunities for New Yorkers to engage with the rich diversityof plant and animal life that enriches our city,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue.“As custodians of over 10,000 acres of natural areas across the five boroughs,Parks is committed to maintaining strong, ecologically vibrant public spaces,helping local wildlife thrive while making our city more beautiful, resilient,and livable. Together with the new welcome center, local farm, and native plantnursery, this new nature preserve is a great resource for the Rockawaycommunity.”

    Bayswater Point State parkcomprises 12 acres at the tip of a peninsula jutting out into Mott Basin on theeastern shore of Jamaica Bay in the Rockaways. The park’s terrain iswonderfully varied and includes beachfront, wetlands and woodlands. Thisdiversity helps make it an ideal habitat for migrating and nesting birds. Infact, the park was once a bird sanctuary overseen by Audubon. Our goal for thislovely and peaceful park is to preserve the existing natural systems, and asfeasible, restore what has been lost. 

    The 11-acre Norton BasinNatural Resource Area is located at the eastern end of the Rockaway Peninsula.The site is bounded to the west by Norton Basin (a tributary of Jamaica Bay),to the east by a new development of multi-family homes facing Bay 32nd Street,to the north by the western end of Healy Avenue, and to the south by Bayswater Park, which is operated by New York City Parks.

    You must contact the trip leader to register.

Hear a podcast of “It’s In Queens” featuring an interview with QCBC President Ian Resnick here.

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