Birding Bob
Birding Bob
4.5
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Full view
About
$10 Bird walks in Central Park (NYC) and other parks in and around NYC. I have been leading these walks for 25+ years; earned a PhD in evolutionary biology...have done research on migratory and resident birds (and plants) in Central Park (+ other parks of NYC) and internationally (Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, Israel) - with many scientific and popular articles published on this research (see web site). Along with photographer Deborah Allen, we do several tours each week, usually starting at 7:30 and/or 9:30am in Central Park, and we welcome anyone interested in learning about birds, or the history of Central Park to join us. Our walks are fun, inclusive and we try and discover something new about the world every time we venture out. (And we have binoculars to rent!). We can be hired to do private bird walks in Central Park or anywhere in the tri-state area...travel with us in our SUV.
New York City, New York
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Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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5.0
117 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
2
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
5
John S
Wokingham, UK11 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
Bob is a great guide for both experienced birders and those less so, including children. He said that his 10 dollar fee was the best deal in New York and I agree! He worked really hard and patiently to show us some great birds at what is certainly not to the best time of the year for birding Central Park.
Written June 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randall A
1 contribution
May 2023
The experience is an excellent. It's a truly New York treat not to be missed by anyone who loves birds and Central Park. The variety of species and number of sightings on any given day varies from many to the exceptional. Bob's knowledge of the species and their behavior puts the viewing group consistently in the right place time after time. The 'special sauce" for me is Bob's incredible knowledge and his love of the birds. They are 'friends' stopping by for a visit that he relishes and joyfully anticipates. With both a quick wit and great wisdom he helps make the sightings a wonderful experience in a unique and beautiful place.
Written June 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
todayortomorrow
Mendham, NJ2 contributions
Jan 2022
We were experienced bird feeders (in our suburban NJ backyard), and came to Bob as new residents of Brooklyn with no experience bird walking. He is a true expert and shares his knowledge with enthusiasm, good humor and charm. Bob could be talking and yet he could simultaneously hear a bird, identify it and tell us where to look for it. Bob understands the habits of all species and this was invaluable in finding birds - especially in January! The three and a half hour walk was fun and rewarding. My husband and I had arranged for a private walk in Prospect Park. Bob brought four pairs of binoculars for us to try. He is the consummate teacher sharing his love of birds, nature and New York City!
Written January 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You! It was wonderful celebrating your anniversary (Alexandra and Jack!) together.
Written January 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
loganre
pinehurst14 contributions
May 2021
This seems to be Claire's first review so perhaps she is not aware that this is not a forum for ad hominem critiques. She is also well off the mark. I have birded regularly with Bob for a decade and find her description to be well off the mark. Bob has been leading walks all these years because he loves doing it and wants to share that with others. As good as he is at finding birds, he is even better at interacting and engaging with those on his walks. He will use call back so if you object, not for you. But if you want to see birds in a fun atmosphere with an expert, you will not be disappointed. 9 out of 10 reviews echo that sentiment.
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi and Thank You ever so much! Yes we use sound and try and use it as best we can to bring birds in close to us (so everyone be aware of this; check my comments to concerned reviewers who question my use of sound...and its ethics - and why one need not worry). And yes we emphasize the positive on the walks: seeing birds; learning about behavior/history in NYC Parks...fun learning and community. "Always look on the brighter side of life." Deborah and I have been doing these walks for 30 years now and still enjoy meeting people and finding birds with them. Thank You all!
Written November 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie A
New York City, NY6 contributions
Jun 2022
Birding Bob is knowledgeable and very kind. I brought my 6 year old son on a walk with him this morning and he engaged him and educated him with such care. He was also able to take care of the 20 other people that were there!
He's just a really lovely person that is very passionate about birds!
He's just a really lovely person that is very passionate about birds!
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You ever so much
Written June 7, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Camper584381
Portofino, Italy1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Business
Birding Bob has the most exceptional and entertaining directed bird walks I have encountered ( this includes my experiences in New York, New Jersey, and California). I am an Audubon member and have been photographing birds and birding for over 8 years. Bob and Deborah are highly knowledgable for both visual and sound birding. They know the New York area like the back of their hands. They know bird habitats and habits, and they know where to look and when. I have been joining Bob and Deborahs walks for 4 years now, and I will not miss an opportunity when visiting New York City to join them.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You! We have been working in Central Park as scientists and educators for 30+ years...but mostly we enjoy having fun, seeing and learning with people. We very much appreciate your kind, thoughtful words.
Written September 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
indigobunting62
Chevy Chase, MD3 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
We had a wonderful morning of birding with Bob in celebration of our 30th anniversary. As my husband said, “Bob’s got those birds on a leash.” And he does seem to have the birds responding better than most trained dogs. His knowledge is vast, his abilities are impressive, and his personality brings it all together to make for an interesting and entertaining learning experience.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good Trouble! We had a wonderful time together bringing in the birds for closer looks...and I was able to meet your family and close friends too. All of us had good close views of Black-and-white Warblers, American Redstarts (adult males too) and more. Thank You for inviting me in, and I'm glad I listened to your calls.
Written September 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leila
1 contribution
Nov 2019
My family and I were in New York and I wanted to show my 10 year old son that wildlife exists everywhere. We are from Australia and I had heard about Bob and his knowledge of the birds in Central Park.
To walk with someone who has spent his lifetime studying these birds meant that the whole natural world opened up to us and it was magical. Bob showed us so many different species and they were beautiful. He gave us context to understand their lives and their stories.
Using binoculars you could see all their stunning markings - we hired binoculars from Bob - my son was swept up in the joy of finding a bird and then marveling at them.
Then there was another element that added to it all. Bob is a born and bred New Yorker and he is a species that is so fun to be around. The humour kept us smiling the entire time.
If you were ever to travel to New York, I feel like this is something to see and do as much as going to the Empire State Building.
To walk with someone who has spent his lifetime studying these birds meant that the whole natural world opened up to us and it was magical. Bob showed us so many different species and they were beautiful. He gave us context to understand their lives and their stories.
Using binoculars you could see all their stunning markings - we hired binoculars from Bob - my son was swept up in the joy of finding a bird and then marveling at them.
Then there was another element that added to it all. Bob is a born and bred New Yorker and he is a species that is so fun to be around. The humour kept us smiling the entire time.
If you were ever to travel to New York, I feel like this is something to see and do as much as going to the Empire State Building.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You! We've had a wonderful "run" of a few types of owls this Nov-Dec 2020 - wish you (and everyone) could be here to see them - especially on our night walks. And once the pandemic resolves, we hope to see you in Australia! Thank You again for your kind words - Robert DeCandido PhD
Written December 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David
Utah1 contribution
Aug 2021
We had a fantastic time with Bob! Being from Utah, we had never seen a northern cardinal, and even though it is nearly as common as an American robin to Bob, he kindly and patiently took the time to point a few out for us.
We were there just a day before hurricane Henri, so the total number of birds was a bit low, but the variety was fantastic. We added many warblers to our life list.
Highly recommend a walk with Bob in Central Park if you have a chance.
We were there just a day before hurricane Henri, so the total number of birds was a bit low, but the variety was fantastic. We added many warblers to our life list.
Highly recommend a walk with Bob in Central Park if you have a chance.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You! You guys were much fun - and we had great looks at that Prothonotary Warbler (and the Blue-winged) - both below eye-level. And both brought in via calls from my tape/speaker. All Good!
Written September 3, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John W
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We had a late flight and missed the opportunity to do the Sunday bird walk, so I contacted Bob about availability during the week. On Tuesday at 8 am, we met on the west side of Central Park and began a wonderful stroll through the park. We saw various species, including two different types of owls. We fed quite a few tufted titmouse and chickadees. And learned a few things about the park itself and the buildings nearby. It was quite the experience, and highly recommend it as a quintessential New York adventure!
Written December 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank You ever so much - I had a great time as well! The Great Horned Owl (male - well-seen in the open), and the Barred Owl (a bit hidden) - those were much fun too.
Written December 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience