❄️ WINTER BIRDING HUB

Where to Find Birds When the Weather Turns Cold

Winter birding has a magic all its own. From snow‑covered coastlines to frozen mountain valleys, the colder months bring unique species, dramatic landscapes, and some of the most rewarding sightings of the year. This hub gathers our favorite winter birding adventures — from Utah’s Golden Eagles to Cedar Key’s coastal surprises to a snowy weekend across New Jersey and Long Island.

Whether you’re planning a winter getaway or simply looking for inspiration, you’ll find trip reports, species highlights, and practical tips to help you make the most of the season.

Featured Winter Birding Trips

Utah Winter Birding — February 2023

Golden Eagles, Bohemian Waxwings, and sweeping mountain views made this one of our most memorable winter trips. A pair of Golden Eagles even put on a dramatic display, soaring together before landing in the trees.
Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/utah-winter-birding


New Jersey & Long Island — March 2016

A snowy business trip turned into a classic Northeast winter birding weekend. From the waterfowl‑rich boardwalks of the Meadowlands to the windswept beaches of Long Island, we found Long‑tailed Ducks, American Oystercatchers, Black Scoters, Common Eiders, Red‑throated Loons, and even a seal cruising the inlet.
Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/new-jersey-long-island-birding

 

Florida Winter Birding Challenge — January 2021

A month‑long quest to break our January Florida record led us across the state in search of rarities and seasonal specialties. Highlights included a Whooping Crane at Paynes Prairie, Red‑cockaded Woodpeckers in Citrus WMA, 31 year birds at Merritt Island, Northern Gannets offshore, Fulvous Whistling‑Duck and Purple Gallinule at Lake Apopka, and a Western Kingbird at a well‑known stakeout. Back home in Cedar Key, a Bonaparte’s Gull made for an easy year bird, and St. Petersburg added Redheads, Nanday Parakeets, Monk Parakeets, and a Horned Grebe. We ended the month with 131 species — our best January ever.
Read the full story →

 

Long Island North Fork — January 2020

A blustery winter weekend on Long Island’s North Fork delivered classic cold‑season birding. At Orient Beach, we found Greater Scaup, Long‑tailed Duck, three species of scoters, and a Common Eider riding the surf. A flock of Snow Buntings dropped into the dunes just fifty feet away — the highlight of the day. Stops at Inlet Pond County Park, Southold Town Beach, and Goldsmith Beach added woodland birds, Common Goldeneyes, and a Great Black‑backed Gull. At Point Lookout, we walked the jetties and found Horned Grebes, Red‑throated Loons, Brants, and a stunning Harlequin Duck. The trip wrapped up at Fort Wadsworth with excellent views of the Verrazzano‑Narrows Bridge and our target bird, the Great Cormorant.
Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/long-island-north-fork-birding (weekendwarbler.com in Bing)

 

New Jersey Winter Birding — January 2018

A quick winter work trip brought frozen lakes, falling snow, and classic cold‑weather species. At DeKorte Park, we found Hooded Mergansers, American Tree Sparrow, and White‑throated Sparrow. River Barge Park added Bufflehead, Common Mergansers, and Great Black‑backed Gulls in 19‑degree weather. A stop at Paterson Great Falls delivered breathtaking winter scenery — roaring water, ice, and a rainbow in the mist.
Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/new-jersey-winter-birding

 

NYC Central Park Birding — November 2018

A chilly post‑Thanksgiving weekend in New York City turned into a wonderful urban winter birding adventure. With Birding Bob as our guide, we found Tufted Titmice, Fox Sparrow, Northern Cardinals, Pine Siskin, Hermit Thrush, and five raptor species — including a Barred Owl near Belvedere Castle. A side trip to Fort Tilden added Brant, Black Scoter, Northern Gannet, and Great Black‑backed Gulls.
Read the full story → (Insert your NYC link)

 

Texas Whooping Cranes & King Ranch — February 2019

A warm‑weather winter getaway filled with iconic species. At Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, we had a five‑raptor morning and found Sprague’s Pipit. A boat tour on Aransas Bay delivered 19 Whooping Cranes, Long‑billed Curlews, and an American Bittern. A full‑day tour of King Ranch added Green Jays, Olive Sparrow, Vermilion Flycatcher, Least Grebes, and a final Sprague’s Pipit — the perfect ending to a spectacular winter trip.
Read the full story → (Insert your Texas link)

Colorado Winter Birding — December 2016

A whirlwind winter weekend in the Rockies brought unforgettable moments — and pushed us past our Big Year goal of 500 species. Mountain feeders delivered Clark’s Nutcracker, Pine Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, and Rosy Finches. Silverthorne added Barrow’s Goldeneye, and Barr Lake held thousands of geese. Near Denver, we found a Snowy Owl and a surprise lifer, Prairie Falcon.
Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/colorado-winter-birding

 

California Winter Birding — December 2016 (Big Year Finale)

Our final trip of the year took us to Southern California for a festive Christmas weekend and the last push of our Little Big Year. Coastal stops brought Marbled Godwit, Pacific Loon, Surf Scoter, and Western Grebes. Urban parks added Ross’s Goose, Black‑crowned Night Herons, and a lifer California Gnatcatcher. The mountaintop finale at Mount Wilson delivered our final species of the year — a Williamson’s Sapsucker — ending our Big Year at 519 species.
Read the full story → https://weekendwarbler.com/california-big-year-birding

⭐ Top Winter Species to Look For

    • Black Scoter

    • Common Eider

    • Long‑tailed Duck

    • Red‑breasted Merganser

    • Bohemian Waxwing

    • American White Pelican

    • Red‑throated Loon

    • American Tree Sparrow

These species appear throughout our winter posts and are often the highlight of cold‑season birding.

⭐ Best Winter Birding Destinations

Mountain West

Utah’s valleys and foothills offer raptors, waxwings, and open‑country species that shine against snowy backdrops.

Northeast Coast

New Jersey and Long Island deliver sea ducks, gulls, and wintering shorebirds — plus dramatic ocean views.

Florida Gulf Coast

Cedar Key and surrounding areas host pelicans, waders, and winter migrants in calm, scenic habitats.

Caribbean & Cruise Ports

Many of our cruise birding trips take place during winter months and offer warm‑weather alternatives for seasonal travelers.

⭐ Tips for Winter Birding

  • Start early — birds are most active in the morning.

  • Dress in layers — windproof outerwear makes a big difference.

  • Bring a thermos — warm drinks keep you comfortable longer.

  • Use hand warmers — especially helpful for photography.

  • Check tides and weather — coastal winter birding changes quickly.

  • Know your ducks — winter is prime time for waterfowl diversity.

Explore All Winter Posts

  • Utah Winter Birding — February 2023

  • Cedar Key Winter Birding (coming soon)

  • New Jersey & Long Island — March 2016

  • Additional winter posts as they’re published