For my latest column, I asked Bergen County Audubon president Don Torino to name his favorite spring birding spots. Here goes:

By Jim Wright

Special to The Record | USA TODAY NETWORK - NEW JERSEY

   Spring is going full throttle. Migrating birds are arriving in droves. Goldfinches (our state bird) and our other fine feathered friends are in breeding plumage.

   What are you waiting for? Grab those binoculars and get outside.

   I asked Don Torino, the president of Bergen County Audubon, to name his favorite birding places in North Jersey. He came up with five. Here they are, with Don’s comments on each.

   1. Richard W. DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst. “Not many places that you can see warblers, sparrows, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors in one park. The many different habitats in the park that is along the Atlantic flyway make it one of the premier birding spots in the entire state.”  

    One square mile, with panoramic views of wetlands, waterways, and the New York City skyline. Open daily, 7 a.m. to dusk.

   2. New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood. “I love the NJBG in the spring. The nesting Eastern bluebirds are magical! The warblers that migrate through and also nest in a place surrounded by incredible gardens make it a place close to my heart.” 

    96 acres of gardens surrounded by 1,000 acres of woodlands. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

   3. Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Teaneck. "This was always a good birding spot, but the recent habitat restoration done by the Bergen County Parks Department makes it a unique and important wetland habitat in the middle of suburbia. No place like it. Warblers, herons, shorebirds and more.” 

   46-acre natural area. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

   4. Losen Slote Creek Park, Little Ferry. “This is the secret garden of birding hot spots. This Meadowlands woodland habitat has become a thing of the past, except here.  From many thrush and warbler species to kingfishers and herons along Losen Slote Creek, this is perhaps the least known but one of the best birding spots in the area. 

    28-acre natural area. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

   5. Demarest Nature Center, Demarest. “I love this wet woodland habitat, with its spring warblers, woodpeckers, owls and raptors. The trails and bridges along the streams make it a picturesque walk.”

    55-acre natural area. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  If you’re new to birding or just enjoy looking for birds with like-minded folks, I always recommend going on an organized walk. You’ll get plenty of fresh air and exercise, you’ll see more birds, and you’ll hear about new places to go birding. Plus you’ll meet some very nice people.

   The Bird Watcher column appears every other Thursday.  Email Jim at celeryfarm@gmail.com.