Interview with Hanna Kirshenbaum of NYC Queer Birders

Written by: Bird Collective

Published on May 24, 2026

Time to read 4 min

Hannah Kirshenbaum is an avid birder, horticulturist, and advocate of the natural world. In 2020 they founded NYC Queer Birders as a way to cultivate community and explore the city’s wilds with LGBTQIA+ bird-lovers. Through all seasons, Hannah leads birding events where they welcome everyone regardless of experience. As an urban horticulturist, they cultivate ecosystems that are beneficial to birds. Hannah's favorite bird is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet because they are so adorable and you're lucky if see their ruby crown!

Portrait of Hannah Kirshenbaum standing in lush greenery wearing a bird graphic T-shirt, alongside text about founding NYC Queer Birders and building LGBTQIA+ community through birding in New York City.

1. Why did you decide to start NYC Queer Birders?

Becoming a birder coincided with coming to terms with my queer identity. With these discoveries I was experiencing a joy in my life that I never thought was possible. I felt like I was really becoming who I was and living the life I wanted to live. I started NYC Queer Birders (QB) shortly after I moved to the city. I wanted to share this joy with other like-minded and build this beautiful community!

Throughout my life, the natural world has been integral to my being. When I arrived in New York, I hungered for outdoor space while living in a concrete world—a feeling I imagine many New Yorkers experience. I was working at a nature center in Queens, and during my lunch breaks I would walk around Alley Pond Park. I began to notice different birds, and started seeking them out. Soon I was traveling all over the city.

Two very important aspects of myself were coming to fruition. I think I just wanted to share this with other people.

Megan Thornton, Kelly McGarry, and Hannah Kirshenbaum standing together in a lush green park wearing bird-themed shirts during an outing with NYC Queer Birders.

2. Tell us about the club: what is its ethos? Vision? Goals?

The club has really grown into something that surpassed my expectations. My original vision felt small; I wanted to just be with people who liked birds. But now it has taken on a life of its own.

Ultimately, the most important thing about this club is who it’s for: members of the LGBTQ+ community. When I first made the Instagram page, I had no idea it would grow so much. Today, QB serves as a platform for countless events year-round. Every week there are outings led by volunteers all over the city. We’ve organized fundraisers, collaborations, community events, and so much more.

To answer the question directly: our ethos is all are welcome; the vision is to provide a platform for community; and our goals are to keep on growing and spreading joy!

The club has really grown into something that surpassed my expectations. My original vision felt small; I wanted to just be with people who liked birds. But now it has taken on a life of its own.

To answer the question directly: our ethos is all are welcome; the vision is to provide a platform for community; and our goals are to keep on growing and spreading joy!

3. How does NYC Queer Birders work?

Logistically, we coordinate through Instagram, WhatsApp, and email. Our numbers have grown by showing up to community events and spreading the word. Typically, our events have no tickets, RSVPs, or caps on attendance—just show up! Every event is for all levels, from absolute beginners to full-blown experts. When I lead a birding event, I really try to focus on it being collaborative. I don’t consider myself an expert and am always delighted to learn more from anyone!

A typical event involves showing up to a meeting location, introducing ourselves in a big circle, and then going to look for birds! There are many different QB leaders that lead in all sorts of amazing ways, and I am grateful for what they have to offer!

4. What is community to you, and how has your sense of birding culture and community changed with NYC Queer Birders?

Community to me is local, face-to-face connections and experiences. We started in 2020, right before the pandemic. When the world started to open back up, it felt like people were starved—including me—to see anyone in-person. So much of our world, because of COVID and in general, is on the web. This space initially brought people together to quell feelings of isolation, loneliness, and an internet-focused daily experience. I don’t think my sense of birding culture and community have changed all that much since starting QB. Birding culture is inherently collaborative and queer culture is about inclusion. I do believe that this specific space had not yet been offered and what QB creates is a more niche realm for us to operate.

5. Can you share a story about an NYC Queer Birders event that made a lasting impression on you?

One that comes to mind is a moment that lives in my heart. It was 2021, in the early days of QB and the height of the pandemic. I was leading a bird outing in Central Park and ended up in the Ramble, an iconic and historic queer cruising space. All of a sudden, someone spotted Barry the Barred Owl! It was like a bolt of lighting ran through our group. There we were in the heart of the greatest city in the world, in a space that has long existed as a pillar for queer people, witnessing this beautiful creature together—in spite of the world's circumstances. This moment of connection, joy and belonging enveloped me. Since then, I’ve felt so honored to have played a part in founding this group.