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  • Home
  • PRESERVE & RESTORE
    • Ecology >
      • RutgersSiteVisit
      • Ponds
      • Reforestation
    • Invasive Species
    • NativePlants
    • Trails Maintenance
    • Clean Ups
    • ScoutProjects
    • noelTaylor
  • ENJOY
    • Calendar
    • Photos
    • GreenHerons
    • Birding
    • Trail Maps
    • coyotes
  • B W Kids
    • Nature Detectives - the latest news
  • History
    • neighborhood
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Chuan-Chu Chou Blog
    • Perspectives on the Park
    • MemberInfo >
      • archive
    • presidentReport-Jan-21
    • Volunteer Spotlight
    • newsletters
    • PastEvents >
      • Halloween-24
      • brightwoodDay-24
      • Halloween-23
      • halloween-22
      • PleinAirPainting
      • brightwoodDay-23
  • Shop
  • JOIN
  • JPL blog

Birding at Brightwood

Signs of Spring
And the Wood Ducks are Back
​Spring 2025

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The Wood Ducks are back, and signs of Spring are popping up all around.

The Friends of Brightwood have an ambitious year planned with redoubled reforestation and invasive species abatement efforts, new Spring Classes, new board members and bringing back our favorite events.

Scroll down for more information.

​2025-AnnualReport


Photos by Chuan-Chu Chou
By the way, Chuan-Chu and his camera stop by the park almost every day - even on the coldest and rainiest days His observations are shared on here and also on his blog at :https://www.friendsofbrightwood.org/chuan-chu-chou-blog

Danny Mo (a frequent visitor to Brightwood Park) captured these beautiful photos of pileated woodpeckers.  
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AND....check out the blog-  it's a collaboration between Chuan-Chou and Denise Ricci
Brightwood Park Discoveries

Over 100 species of birds have been sighted at Brightwood!

The park is enjoyed  by bird watchers of all ages
who have noted sightings of 112 species,
​including woodpeckers, herons, egrets, hawks and comorants
​
A printable list is available from ebird.com and is maintained by birders like you.

Check back here for more information and upcoming events
​

Being around birds is associated with better mental health

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Bird Song Study
Everyday encounters with the bird kind are associated with better mental health.

 
In a 1,300 participant study, researchers  collected data about listening to birds and other vitals such as sleep quality, subjective assessment of air quality, and location details. The 26,856 assessments offered a rich data set of what is associated with mental well-being in real time in the real world.

Researchers found a significant positive association between seeing or hearing birds and improved mental well-being.

Hope to see you up at Brightwood Park!
Birding Questions?  Or did you get a good picture?  Send it to our birding photo editor with a caption, identification of the bird (if you have one), and the date of the sighting.
Photo by Chuan-Chu Chou

Location

Brightwood Park is on the North end of Prospect Street.  Go past Franklin School and look for the entrance on the left.

What Our Members Are Saying

"I love the work you are doing at Brightwood.  Your efforts have shone a light on the essential elements of the park that we all cherish: its natural beauty and tranquility."

"I have a deep fondness for Brightwood park and would like to see it restored, remain natural and continue to be a site of passive recreation."

"I loved growing up in Brightwood Park !"


"I found Brightwood a few years ago and it's a great place to find wildlife, fish, and enjoy nature. Nice and quiet; good place to un wind and relax. Love it!!!"

​"As a resident for almost thirty years in the Brightwood area of Westfield, I am thrilled to see what is happening to improve and preserve Brightwood park for today and future generations. "


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