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 Monthly In-Person Meeting – Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 7:30 – 9:30 pm.
Where: Alley Pond Environmental Center – NEW BUILDING
229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362 (map)
Presentation – “Patagonia, the south Atlantic Islands, and Antarctica” with Ian Resnick
Last October into November, Ian Resnick went on a Field Guides trip to Patagonia, the south Atlantic islands, and Antarctica. The trip, which usually leaves from and returns to Ushuaia, instead left from Puerto Madryn in Patagonia. This allowed for an extra day of birding in Patagonia, mostly in an area where Ian had been a couple of years earlier on an Earthwatch expedition. Ian will share his experience via his photos, videos, and also a slide show provided by Oceanwide Expeditions, which runs the ship used on the trip. Doors will open at 7:00 PM and the presentation will begin at 7:30 PM. Please be prompt and ring the bell when at the front door when you arrive.
Upcoming field trips – see Calendar link for details and registration info
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Alley Pond Park – Eric Miller – 917-279-7530
When: Sunday, September 13th – 7:45am – 12:15pm
Where: Alley Pond Park
Description:This mini-trip includes the forested areas of Alley Pond Park south of the Long Island Expressway. Meet at the east end of the 76th Ave. parking lot – see map.Contact the trip leader to register for this trip.
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Palisades Park IBA/NJ State Line – Leader TBD
When: Saturday, September 26th – 8:30am – 12:15pm
Where: Palisades Park IBA/NJ State Line
Description:The State Line Lookout in Palisades Park, NJ, is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Located less than a mile south of the New York State border, it offers stunning views of the Hudson River and Westchester County, New York. The lookout is one of 14 official hawk-counting sites in New Jersey and is a great spot for birdwatching, especially during the fall months when the raptor migration occurs.
Contact the trip leader to register and for more details.
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Big Sit – Corey Finger – 10000birdsblogger@gmail.com
When: Saturday, October 10th – All day
Where: Fort Tilden (Gateway National Recreation Area)
Description:The QCBC “Big Sit” takes place from dawn to dusk.
Since the Battery Harris Platform can’t be used. Corey is looking into what we can do and will advise. Additional information to follow.
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. https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/connect/bigsit/about.php
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Kissena Park – Eric Miller – 917-279-7530
When: Sunday, October 18th – 7:45am – 12:00pm
Where: Kissena Park
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.
Contact the trip leader to register.
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QCBC Monthly In-Person Meeting – Karlo and Alison Mirth present “Peninsular Malaysia”
When: Wednesday, October 21st 7:30 – 9:30pm
Where: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 229-10 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, NY 11362, USA
Description:In September 2025, Karlo and Alison Mirth went on a Calidris Birding Tours trip to the southern part of the Malaysia Peninsula. They visited lowland rainforests, mangroves, and highland areas including world-famous Fraser’s Hill. Karlo and Alison arrived two days before the start of the tour to recover from jet lag and to bird on their own in a nearby park and acquaint themselves with commonplace birds.
Besides seeing many new birds and bird families, there were many sightings of other fascinating fauna including several species of primates and mammals, reptiles, and over 30 species of butterflies.
Doors will open at 7:00 PM and the presentation will begin at 7:30 PM. Please be prompt and ring the bell when at the front door when you arrive.
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Arverne/Bayswater – Joe Schiavone (203) 640-2927
When: Saturday, October 24th – 7:30am – 12:00pm
Where: Arverne East Nature Preserve, 190 Beach 44th St, Queens, NY 11691
Description:Arverne East Nature Preserve hosts five different maritime ecosystems, providing a safe home for diverse local flora and fauna. Pedestrian pathways weave through the preserve, offering New Yorkers a new way to observe and appreciate these natural environments, including accessible connections to the Rockaway boardwalk and beach. A new welcome center was also constructed as part of this project, which houses a community meeting space, office space for Urban Park Rangers, crew headquarters for Parks maintenance staff, and public restrooms.
“By establishing the new Arverne East Nature Preserve, we’re not only protecting our natural environment but also providing fresh opportunities for New Yorkers to engage with the rich diversity of 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 plant nursery, this new nature preserve is a great resource for the Rockaway community.”
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.
Contact the trip leader to register and for additional information.
Hear a podcast of “It’s In Queens” featuring an interview with QCBC President Ian Resnick here.
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