Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, CT is mostly inhibited by creatures found in Long Island Sound. Aquarium contain a large Shark tank, Harbor Seals, River Otters, Loggerhead Turtles and several large Jellyfish tanks. There are more than 2,000 marine animals from 300 different species exhibited. Although it is smaller than New York and Baltimore Aquariums I have been to still there is a good collection of animals and many things to see. I thoroughly enjoyed the Harbor Seal feeding show. There is an IMAX theater located at the aquarium and which features several nature documentaries. This aquarium is easily accessible from NYC via Metro-North Railroad.

Harbor Seal Show

Shore and Wetland Birds

In NYC Jamaica Bay and Pelham Bay provide excellent spots to watch for shore and wetland birds. Many shore birds migrate through NYC during Spring and Fall. Some of the shore birds that migrate through the city are Dunlin, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, American Oyestercatcher, Common Terns, Semipalmated Plover and Semiplamated sandpiper. During the Horseshoe Crabs spawning season most migrating shore birds specially Red Knots gather to fest on eggs along NYC beaches. Gull species such as Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull and Laughing Gull can be seen year around. Most common wading birds are Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron and  American Bittern. Also at Jamaica Bay there are artificial nests for Ospreys and for barn swallows.

A Ring-billed Gull near Meadow lake ( Ring-billed Gull is the most common Gull species in NYC)

Anatidae Family

Anatidae family is a biological classification that include Ducks, Geese and Swans. In the lakes of NYC during winter months you can see Mallards, American Black Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Ruddy Ducks, Wood Ducks, Green Winged Teal, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Brant and Mute Swans. There are many hybrids of Mallards due to inbreeding with domestic ducks. Female Mallards and American Black Ducks are very similar and can be distinguished by the color pattern deference of "Speculum". Canada Goose and Snow Goose used to be migratory birds and due to the abundant food supply in the city some of them have settled down in the city and pose a threat to the local airports. Wood Duck is a beautiful bird to watch and Ruddy Duck is one of the smallest Ducks in the world. Mute Swans are an invasive species from Asia and Europe.During the summer Ducks loose their flight feathers and become flightless. Bronx Zoo and Queens Zoo has an excellent collection of different Duck varieties.

A female Mallard and two Canada Goose in Hudson River near Riverside Park

Warblers

In early April and in September nearly 50 different species of Warblers migrate through the New York City Area. For the new birders it is challenging to identify the large number of these small and fast moving birds, because some of them only have subtle difference. Pine Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Cerulean Warbler and American Redstart are few of the warbler spices that pass through the New York City area. Warblers are popular among birders because they are only seasonal and are active brightly-colored song birds. Warblers spend their winter in Central and South America and migrate back to the breeding grounds located north of NYC and in Canada. Warblers migrate in large groups and in certain days during migration one can see nearly 15 species of warblers in a single day at a NYC park.

Pine Warbler

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Birding at Central Park

Central Park is 843 acres of park land located in one of the world's most densely populated places. It is also one of the most excellent places for birding. According the National Audubon Society more than 280 bird species have been recorded at Central Park. During migration in spring and autumn is the best time for birding with many migrating birds stop at Central Park to rest and replenish energy sources. There are many free guided  bird walk in the park organized by the Urban Park Rangers and National Audubon Society. I visited Central Park and was able to identify dozens of bird species including; Mallards, Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, American Coots, Ring-billed Gulls,House Sparrows, European Starlings, Rock Pigeons, Mourning Doves, American Robins, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos, Wood Thrushes, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Downy Woodpeckers. While walking around the park I also saw dozens of other bird watchers enthusiastically searching for birds.