What You’ll Need 

• Recommended gear (binoculars, field guide apps like Merlin, eBird or Audubon Bird Guide, notebook) 
• Proper attire for the weather and trail conditions 
• Time, patience and a good attitude 

When to Visit 

Seasons 

• Winter: Great visibility during tree dormancy, feeder watching, no insects or crowds 
• Spring: Migration period, courtship behavior, still great visibility before trees leaf out 
• Summer: Wetlands come alive, resident species have made their home, longer days, better weather for a leisurely hike 
• Fall: Migration period, beautiful foliage 

Time of Day 

• Sunrise until about 10am is when birds are most active – singing, feeding and moving around
• Around sunset, many birds prepare to roost for the night and become more active
• Midday can be great for viewing Raptors like hawks and eagles. It is great in winter when low temperatures keep birds active throughout the daylight hours

Top Birding Spots at Holden 

• Display Garden –  orioles, mimics, finches, hummingbirds
• Pierson Creek Valley – flycatchers, warblers, tanagers, vireos
• Corning Lake and surrounding wetlands – waterfowl, herons, swallows, field nesting birds, vultures
• Woodland Trail – warblers, woodpeckers, owls
• Butterfly Garden & Rhododendron Gardens – vireos, hummingbirds, finches, warblers

Birds to Watch For (By Season) 

• Spring (March–May):  Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Killdeer, Cedar Waxwing, Field Sparrow 
• Summer (June–August): Wood Thrush, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Louisiana Waterthrush
• Fall (September–November): Red-winged Blackbird, Great Blue Heron, Yellow-rumped Warbler , Red-shouldered Hawk, Palm Warbler 
• Winter (December–February):  White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped chickadee, American Goldfinch  

View the full watch list and latest bird sightings at Holden Arboretum