Great Falls Park
Virginia · Southeast
Easy
October-April
$20 per vehicle
Open daily, 7:00 AM - dark
About This Location
Great Falls Park is a productive birding destination in Virginia, with 207 species recorded on eBird. This urban park habitat attracts Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, and Red-shouldered Hawk among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.
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
Louisiana Waterthrush
Parkesia motacilla
Mississippi Kite
Ictinia mississippiensis
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Magnolia Warbler
Setophaga magnolia
Green-winged Teal (American)
Anas crecca
American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Setophaga caerulescens
Veery
Catharus fuscescens
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Canada Goose
Black Vulture
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Mallard
Common Merganser
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Birding Tips
- 1
Visit at dawn for peak songbird activity before crowds arrive.
- 2
Check flowering trees and berry-producing shrubs for seasonal migrants.
- 3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.
- 4
Check eBird hotspot data before visiting to see recent sightings and what species are being reported.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Riverbend Park
- Scott's Run Nature Preserve
- Billy Goat Trail
More in Virginia
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Virginia's iconic barrier island refuge with 320+ species, wild ponies, and Atlantic Flyway migrants.
Huntley Meadows Park
DC area's premier wetland with boardwalk access to nesting herons, rails, and diverse marsh birds.
Great Falls Park
Potomac gorge park with breeding Cerulean Warblers, dramatic river views, and rich spring migration.
Virginia Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Virginia →