Big thanks to Georgia and SINYTraveler! I saw three separate flocks of turkeys on the hospital campus along Seaview between Mason and Father Cap - about 60-70 birds in all. In birdwatching terms, it felt a little like cheating (too easy!), but it was a spectacular sight. Some of the toms were all puffed up and displaying.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience some who'd-a-thunk it NYC nature. The hospital was fast and easy to get to via the S79 bus from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

(I also took a meander through nearby Ocean Breeze park, and saw *A TON* of deer tracks, but alas, no deer.)

I always wanted to see a wild turkey, but they would only appear to my passengers when I was driving. I finally got my chance when on a train pulling out of the Trenton, NJ, station of all places.

Wow Linda! You got out here quickly!

Is is almost too easy, they are everywhere!

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

>>>It is almost too easy, they are everywhere!<<<

Everywhere except the major parks, it seems! I've been to Great Kills, Freshkills, Mt. Loretto, Lemon Creek, Wolfe's Pond, the Greenbelt and other "birdy" spots, with no luck. I figured the turkeys hung out in more developed areas, but wasn't sure exactly where.

(I was planning to go to SI today anyhow, so your tip was timely.)

Slightly off-topic but for another who'd-a-thunk it NYC nature experience you might also look for the Red Tailed Hawks near Central Park http://urbanhawks.blogs.com/urban_hawks/5th_avenue_redtailed_hawks/

^^Birds are awesome creatures. They know how to adapt well. Great link, thanks.^^

There are parrots around Whitestone, Queens, and in part of Brooklyn. These winter over and are supposedly from a temperate area of South America. There are legends of a shipment breaking open at JFK.

The easiest place for visitors to see the Brooklyn parrots (actually Argentinian monk parakeets) is the main entrance to Green-Wood Cemetery, where a large (and very noisy) colony lives in the Gothic turrets.

There are also colonies in Midwood (I've seen birds that I assume were from that colony travel as far as Marine Park) and by Calvert Vaux Park.

***There are parrots around Whitestone, Queens, and in part of Brooklyn.***

I was in Cliffisde Park, NJ a few weeks ago and saw two parrots fly by me. I did a double take and did a little researching afterwards. Some interesting information on them:

http://edgewaterparrots.com

Glad you made it over Linda! The deer that live by the beach hide out in the tall grass during the day. They are not as easy to spot as the ones that live in the woods or by the golf course.