Rock Creek Park
Maryland · Northeast
Moderate
April-June
Free
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
Rock Creek Park is a 1,754-acre urban forest that stretches through the northwest quadrant of Washington DC and into Montgomery County, Maryland, providing the largest tract of mature deciduous forest in the capital region. Over 200 bird species have been recorded along the park's forested ravines, rocky creek corridors, and upland trails.
Spring migration is the park's highlight, with 25 or more warbler species passing through the mature canopy in May, including Cerulean, Hooded, and Kentucky Warblers along the creek valley. Breeding Barred Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, and Louisiana Waterthrushes are resident, while the creek corridor supports Wood Ducks and Belted Kingfishers year-round. The park offers some of the most accessible forest birding in the mid-Atlantic urban corridor.
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
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Blue-winged Warbler
Vermivora cyanoptera
Northern House Wren (Northern)
Troglodytes aedon
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Black-throated Green Warbler
Setophaga virens
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Black Duck
Wild Turkey
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Osprey
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
Birding Tips
- 1
The Maintenance Yard area near Military Road is a well-known warbler hotspot in May
- 2
Walk the Valley Trail along the creek for Louisiana Waterthrushes and woodland birds
- 3
Listen for Barred Owls calling at dusk in the deep ravine sections of the park
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- National Zoo
- Pierce Mill
More in Maryland
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C&O Canal National Historical Park
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Wetland birding hotspot in Maryland with 281 recorded species.
Maryland Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Maryland →