Our project investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced mallard observation trends across New York City from 2016 to 2024. Using data from Cornell’s eBird database, we examined the annual counts of mallard observations in each borough to uncover patterns linked to the pandemic’s disruptions.

Initially, we hypothesized a decline in mallard sightings during the pandemic due to reduced outdoor activity. However, our findings revealed the opposite: observation counts surged during 2020 and beyond. This suggests that increased visits to parks, driven by a preference for outdoor spaces with lower COVID-19 transmission risks, played a significant role.

We want readers to understand how human behaviors, even during a global crisis, can influence urban wildlife observation patterns. This study highlights the interconnectedness between human activity and wildlife, encouraging deeper appreciation and future research into how environmental and societal changes shape urban ecosystems.