Floyd Bennett Field

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Leader: Rob Jett
Transportation: Carpool Trip: While carpool rides for everyone usually work out, there is no guarantee of enough volunteer drivers to accommodate all participants. The Registrar will work to organize rides and to notify participants when a rental car may be necessary. Registrar will also inform participants of the carpool fee, which is based on the trip location; the cost of any rental cars should be split evenly by those participants.
Meeting Point: After your registration is confirmed, the Registrar will share directions, the exact meeting place, and time with attendees.
Schedule: Half-day, ending in early afternoon.
Relative Difficulty: Be prepared to walk 1-3 miles on mainly flat terrain.

Trip Description: Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places for its historic significance, Floyd Bennett Field’s 1,280 acres feature one of the few remaining grasslands within New York City. Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area and located in southwestern Brooklyn, it is a major birding destination with a freshwater pond, successive upland areas, wooded campgrounds, and extensive coastal views of Jamaica Bay. The number of bird species recorded at Floyd Bennett Field totals 281. October is sparrow season, and we should expect to observe anywhere from 10-14 different species on a good day. Over the grasslands, expect to see American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and more.

Registration: Registration opens at 9 am on Monday, September 28. After that time, click here to register. Registration closes at 6 pm on Wednesday, October 7. Members (and those who have applied for membership) will be prioritized over non-members.

Please read the About Our Trips page, if you’re going on a field trip for the first time. It details our field trip policies, recommends what to bring on a trip, and offers other useful information, pro tips, and tricks.

If after visiting the About Our Trips page, you still have questions, feel free to contact the Registrar via email.