Baisley Pond Park

Nestled in Queens, Baisley Pond Park is a charming spot known for its diverse wintering waterfowl. This 30-acre man-made pond, created in the 1700s, attracts a variety of bird species throughout the year. From wintering ducks like Redhead and Ring-necked Duck to summer visitors like Red-winged Blackbird, the park offers birders a unique and rewarding experience. With its rich ecological history and convenient viewing spots, Baisley Pond Park is a must-visit for bird enthusiasts in New York City.

(no star = birding is not very productive, ✸ = somewhat productive, ✸✸ = productive, ✸✸✸ = very productive)
 
Spring Migration ✸
Lingering winter waterfowl; some warblers and other land birds

Summer ✸
Occasional foraging wading birds, swallows, common songbirds including Red-winged Blackbird

Fall Migration ✸
Warblers, sparrows, and other songbirds

Winter ✸✸✸
Wintering waterfowl including Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, and American Coot; songbird feeding flocks

Year-Round Highlights
Gulls and common dabbling waterfowl, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, common woodpeckers, Fish Crow

View a Google map of Baisley Pond Park.
 
Baisley Pond Park is a lovely neighborhood park with that attracts a curious diversity of wintering waterfowl. The 30-acre pond is actually man-made--it was created in the 1700s by damming several streams in order to power a grain mill. (The park is named after a farmer that later owned the property.) 

The area's interesting ecological history was plumbed during pond's excavation: workers came upon the remains of an American Mastodon, which likely loved here 10,000 years ago. A mastodon sculpture graces Sutphin Playground, west of the southern end of the pond. 

Baisley Pond was used in the late 1800s as a water source for New York City, and since that time the park has evolved into a busy park full of recreational facilities for the neighborhood. The pond itself however is rich in wildlife, particularly in winter. For reasons that perhaps only the ducks know, the pond attracts a variety of waterfowl not found in many other locations, in a small area where the birds are easily viewed: 

Baisley Pond may be the City's most reliable spot for this species. Check for less common species such as Canvasback. Red-necked Grebe has even been recorded here. Common Gulls also abound. 

Migrant songbirds do stop through Baisley Pond Park but are somewhat more sparsely documented here than in similar parks, perhaps because of the relatively small and manicure upland habitat. The warmer months see some variety of breeding songbirds such as Song Sparrow and Red-winged Blackbird, and the pond is visited by Great Egret and Great Blue Heron (year-round), as well as Double-crested Cormorant.