Huntley Meadows Park
Virginia · Southeast
Easy
April-July
Free
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
Huntley Meadows Park is the premier wetland birding destination in the Washington DC metropolitan area, with a 1,500-foot boardwalk that provides outstanding eye-level access to a central freshwater marsh. Over 200 species have been recorded in the park's 1,500 acres of wetland, forest, and meadow habitats in the heart of suburban Alexandria, Virginia.
The boardwalk and observation platform offer intimate views of nesting herons, including Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, and occasional Least Bitterns hiding among the cattails. Virginia Rails and Soras call from the marsh during migration, while Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and Pied-billed Grebes are regular on the open water. The surrounding upland trails pass through mature forest with breeding warblers and woodpeckers.
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
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivacea
Blue-winged Warbler
Vermivora cyanoptera
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Common Raven
Corvus corax
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Coccyzus americanus
Kentucky Warbler
Geothlypis formosa
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Birding Tips
- 1
The boardwalk observation platform is the prime spot — arrive early for the best light and activity
- 2
Listen for Virginia Rails and Soras calling from the marsh at dawn during spring migration
- 3
The upland Hike-Bike Trail loop passes through forest with breeding warblers
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Mount Vernon
- Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
More in Virginia
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Great Falls Park
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Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge
Coastal birding hotspot in Virginia with 222 recorded species.
Virginia Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Virginia →