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
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna autumnalis
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Mississippi Kite
Ictinia mississippiensis
Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid)
Anas platyrhynchos x rubripes
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Killdeer
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Warbling Vireo
Common Raven
Tufted Titmouse
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Wood Thrush
House Finch
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Indigo Bunting
Canada Goose
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
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
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Maryland Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Maryland →