A Guided Bird Walk in Central Park's Ramble

Central Park is a green island on the Atlantic Flyway, and in spring and fall the Ramble, the park's woodland of winding paths, fills with warblers, thrushes, woodpeckers and hawks resting on their way north or south. Birders in the know have been gathering here for generations, and the best way to join them is with an expert. NYC Bird Alliance, the city's Audubon chapter until its recent renaming, runs guided outings in the parks, and most of them are free.

Peak migration runs roughly March to May and August to November, which makes late October a fine time for a first walk. Check the alliance's events calendar and register in advance; members get early registration and a discount on paid programs, most of which cost $28. Bring binoculars if you have them, wear muted colors and comfortable shoes, and expect to stand still and listen more than walk. Afterward, sit by Tupelo Meadow inside the Ramble, where the black tupelo turns scarlet in the fall.