Pink lotus flower blooming at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington DC

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

District of Columbia · Northeast

Habitat
WetlandMarshUrban Park
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-July

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily

About This Location

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the only national park devoted to water-loving plants, featuring historic ponds filled with lotus and water lilies along the Anacostia River in northeast DC. The gardens and adjacent Kenilworth Marsh create a unique birding habitat within the city.

The marsh is DC's largest remaining tidal freshwater marsh and hosts breeding Least Bitterns, Green Herons, and Wood Ducks. In spring, the willow and buttonbush thickets around the ponds attract migrant warblers, while the open marsh hosts rails and marsh wrens. The lotus ponds themselves attract unusual visitors — American Bitterns have been found lurking among the lotus stems, and the flowering plants draw hummingbirds and butterflies. The River Trail connects to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail for extended birding.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

6/19/2026Bladensburg Waterfront Park2 observed

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

6/19/2026Ben Brenman Park1 observed

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

6/19/2026stakeout Mississippi Kite, NE DC (2025)1 observed

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

6/19/2026Johns Hopkins APL Pond2 observed

Dickcissel

Spiza americana

6/18/2026BARC--North Farm (sanctioned groups only)1 observed

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

6/18/2026Oxbow Lake1 observed

White-throated Sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis

6/17/2026Courtyard behind RiverHouse-The Potomac building1 observed

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

6/16/2026Four Mile Run Park1 observed

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

6/16/2026Oxbow Lake3 observed

Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

6/15/2026Heurich Park2 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Mourning Dove

16/19/2026

American Robin

16/19/2026

House Sparrow

16/19/2026

Northern Cardinal

16/19/2026

House Finch

16/19/2026

Orchard Oriole

16/19/2026

Northern Flicker

16/19/2026

Eastern Wood-Pewee

16/19/2026

Northern House Wren

16/19/2026

Common Grackle

16/19/2026

Cooper's Hawk

16/19/2026

Blue Jay

16/19/2026

American Crow

26/19/2026

Carolina Chickadee

16/19/2026

Tufted Titmouse

16/19/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

16/19/2026

Gray Catbird

66/19/2026

Northern Mockingbird

16/19/2026

American Goldfinch

16/19/2026

Song Sparrow

16/19/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    The River Trail to Kenilworth Marsh is the most productive birding route — look for bitterns and rails

  2. 2

    Lotus and water lily blooms peak in July-August, but spring is best for bird diversity

  3. 3

    Mosquitoes can be intense near the marsh in summer — bring repellent

  4. 4

    Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity

  5. 5

    Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens for birding?
The best months to visit Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens for birding are April-July. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.
What birds can I see at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens?
Notable species at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens include Least Bittern, Green Heron, Wood Duck, Marsh Wren, Prothonotary Warbler, Red-shouldered Hawk, Canada Goose, American Woodcock, Red-tailed Hawk, American Robin. The area supports wetland, marsh, urban park habitats.
How difficult is birding at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens?
Birding at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens?
There is no entrance fee at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.
What amenities are available at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens?
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails.