Birders: The Central Park Effect 2013

The Central Park Effect unveils the stunning variety of wild birds that inhabit Manhattan’s cherished green space, alongside the vibrant and spirited New Yorkers who rhythmically adjust their lives to the migration patterns. The documentary emphasizes seven central figures who frequently visit the Park, forming a deep bond with this hidden jewel of nature.

Among them is the charismatic Chris Cooper, who artfully navigates through the morning hustle of Central Park West. His binoculars jingle against his leather bomber jacket as he enters the Park, admitting, > “My friends mock me for what I do in the spring because they know from experience. From April 15 until Memorial Day, they won’t see me. Because I’m birding!”

Another notable character is Anya Auerbach, a charming teenager who is unapologetically fashion-challenged, sharing that, “I take my binoculars pretty much everywhere except school.”

The story also features accomplished author Jonathan Franzen, who reminisces about his daily walks through Central Park for seven years, initially oblivious to anything beyond the common pigeons and sparrows. However, a transformative experience unfolded when friends invited him on a tour of the Park’s famous Ramble, gifting him binoculars. He recalls how, > “It was like the trees were hung with ornaments. It was one of those rare times in an adult’s life where the world suddenly seems more magical rather than less.”

A particularly touching narrative centers around Starr Saphir, a Central Park luminary and bird walk leader, who has diligently recorded every bird sighting since the 1940s. Upon learning several years ago about her terminal breast cancer, she reflects on the shifting essence of time, stating, “I have a great deal more enjoyment. I always loved what I did, but it’s heightened even more because I know not only it’s not going to last forever, it’s not going to last all that much longer.”

With breathtaking wildlife footage that highlights the changing seasons, the film illustrates how Central Park serves as a critical haven for millions of birds migrating along the Eastern Seaboard twice annually. In desperate need of a restful stop, these tiny creatures flock to this natural sanctuary amidst a landscape dominated by steel and concrete, a phenomenon aptly termed the Central Park Effect.

Diverse species, including delicate hummingbirds, stately herons, elegant egrets, majestic owls, hawks, orioles, kingfishers, flycatchers, and a spectacular array of wood warblers—the true jewels of Eastern forests—take center stage in this documentary. Directed by Jeffrey Kimball, the film invites viewers into a mesmerizing world that largely goes unnoticed by the 38 million visitors to America’s iconic park each year.