Theodore Roosevelt Island
District of Columbia · Northeast
Easy
April-June
Free
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
About This Location
Theodore Roosevelt Island is an 88-acre island preserve in the Potomac River between Georgetown and Rosslyn, accessible only by a footbridge from the Virginia side. The island's mature deciduous forest, tidal marsh, and swamp forest create a surprisingly wild landscape in the heart of the nation's capital.
The upland forest of oaks, elms, and tulip trees is an excellent spring migrant trap, concentrating warblers and other songbirds that follow the Potomac River corridor. The boardwalk through the swamp forest provides close views of Prothonotary Warblers — one of the island's signature breeding species. Wood Ducks nest in the swamp, Barred Owls are resident, and the tidal marsh edges attract Green Herons and occasionally rails. Over 200 species have been recorded on this small island.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescens
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
White-winged Scoter
Melanitta deglandi
White-winged Scoter
Melanitta deglandi
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Ross's Goose
Anser rossii
Ross's Goose
Anser rossii
Ross's Goose
Anser rossii
Ross's Goose
Anser rossii
Birding Tips
- 1
Access is from the George Washington Memorial Parkway parking lot on the Virginia side — walk across the footbridge
- 2
The swamp trail boardwalk is the best spot for Prothonotary Warblers from late April through June
- 3
Visit at dawn for the best birding and fewest joggers — the island gets busy by mid-morning
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Georgetown Waterfront
- Kennedy Center
- Arlington National Cemetery