How to spot NYC’s wildlife this summer (not including rats)

New Yorkers don’t need to take a far-flung vacation to spot animals in the wild. One of the city's hidden treasures is its trove of urban wildlife.

Central Park may be the city’s most famous park, but it’s more than just a space to lounge and eat pizza .

“We might come to the park for recreation,” said Ryan Schmidt, a guide with the Central Park Conservancy , “but it's also a fully functioning wildlife home.”

If you're curious to learn more about the city's fauna, the parks department sets up dozens of wildlife activities each summer , and the Conservancy offers a wide range of tours . There are also ways to get out solo or with a group of friends to explore the gritty city wilds.

We consulted Schmidt and Savannah Browne at the parks department for tips on how to spot wildlife in the city’s parks. Here’s what you need to know.

Look for turtles all the way down (to Prospect Park)

There are eight kinds of turtles to view in Central Park, according to Schmidt, the most common of which is the red-eared slider. While areas with water are still good bets for turtle-watching locations (see: Turtle Pond ), Schmidt says that during summer, turtles can be found in less-than-typical spots as they begin to seek out egg-laying locations. So keep an eye out for any that might be underfoot!

Browne also suggests Oakland Lake in Queens, Morningside Park pond in Manhattan, Clove Lakes on Staten Island, and Prospect Park in Brooklyn as prime turtle-watching spots, adding that you might be able to see painted turtles, snapping turtles, or even rare mud turtles.

Check out all the birds, birds, birds!

Flaco has moved on , but New York City is home to all kinds of birds. Schmidt says that patient birdwatchers might be able to spot one of the wild owls that live in Central Park, but don’t have a PR team.

Schmidt said that nearly 300 bird species have been spotted within Central Park throughout its history, including grebes, herons and mergansers. Nesting shorebirds like piping plovers and common terns are also present on the city’s shorelines, though it’s important to be extra cautious with them.

“Because of their protected status, their nesting areas are closed off to human access until their chicks are old enough to fly. However, you can still enjoy viewing them from a distance,” said Browne, who notes that Rockaway is home to a good variety of nesting shorebirds.

Explore Central Park’s “secret” butterfly garden

Although it’s not exactly a secret — there's even a web page devoted to it — Schmidt says not many people know about it.

“During July and August, when a lot of New York wildflowers are blooming, it's going to attract a lot of smaller wildlife, including insects like butterflies,” said Schmidt.

It’s a great place to see butterflies like monarchs, of course, but you can also spot lots of other pollinators attracted to the flowers. The North Meadow Butterfly Garden is located mid-park around 103rd Street.

Trek out to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Take the A train out toward Rockaway, but instead of waiting for the extension out to the beach, get off at Broad Channel and explore the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge .

It’s one of the city's best birding areas, as it boasts dozens of resident species and serves as a hotspot for migratory species. There are hiking paths to the aptly named West Pond and East Pond, which both feature bird blinds.

Birders can spot dozens of species during the summer, including ospreys, peregrine falcons and cedar waxwings. Shorebird migration also starts during July, and a lucky few birders might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle or great horned owl. If avian life isn’t your thing, there are also plenty of mammals and reptiles to observe.

Try to spot a coyote or a fox

More daring wildlife seekers may seek out more elusive creatures, like the fox and the coyote.

“While their wariness of humans makes them hard to spot, red foxes are not uncommon in NYC,” Browne said. Browne recommended heading to Ocean Breeze Park or Pelham Bay Park for your best chances to see them.

While Schmidt has never spotted a Central Park coyote himself, he notes that there have been reports of sightings in the park.

Watch junior alewives leap for food in the Bronx River

Alewives are a type of anadromous herring, which means they travel from saltwater to freshwater to spawn. The result is hundreds of young alewives that get super hungry starting in July.

You can head to the Bronx River Greenway to observe the junior alewives “popping,” which is when they leap out of the water to catch insects. By the end of summer the alewives will have joined their parents in the ocean, so catch them popping while the weather is warm.

Search for young birds of prey just spreading their wings

After bald eagles lay their eggs in early spring, their young hatch and are ready to spread their wings beginning in July.

For your best bet at seeing adolescent bald eagles, the parks department recommends visiting Conference House Park , Willow Lake at Flushing Meadows Corona Park , Inwood Hill Park and Riverside Park . Red-tailed hawks are also coming of age citywide.

“Summer is a great time of year to observe these young birds learning how to hunt and fly as they grow through their ‘hawkward’ stage,” according to Browne.

Bust out your binoculars and go on the search for America’s bird. A young red-tailed hawk isn’t a bad consolation prize.

General reminders when seeking out wild animals

These tips for seeing summer wildlife in New York City are far from exhaustive. Schmidt notes that finding areas with trees is smart for anyone trying to see animals: ”Go to woodlands, like the Hallett , Ramble or North Woods .” But he adds that simply exploring is the best tactic.

“The best spot to see wildlife is really any area you stumble upon on your own and see something interesting,” he said.

As always when viewing wildlife, be sure to keep a safe distance, and don’t interfere with the animals in any way. That means no touching or feeding, despite the relative ease many urban animals display around humans.

Schmidt says that even a seemingly innocuous activity like tossing bits of bread to ducks can have long-term negative consequences.

Feeding white bread and bagels to ducks “is going to stunt the growth of their offspring and force their wings to grow in improperly, eventually leading to the animal being killed or put down if it can't be given to a wildlife refuge,” said Schmidt.

Besides, you shouldn’t throw human food on the ground for any reason.

“Of course, dumping foods attracts rats and other types of non-wildlife that we don’t really want to see around,” Schmidt added.

Amen to that.