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Description
Rock Creek Park forms a major migration route of birds through Washington. It is a migrant trap for birds heading north or south. Over 180 species, including all the northeastern breeding warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and thrushes, have been reported here, including several species rare in the region.
The Rock Creek Park Maintenance Yard is nestled within the expansive Rock Creek Park. It sits near the Nature Center and Planetarium and close to the historic Fort DeRussy. The yard itself is primarily used for park operations and maintenance, but it’s also a hotspot to view warblers and other migrants in spring from about mid-April to the end of May, and in fall from mid-August to mid-October. Twenty-plus species of warbler can be recorded on good days in both migration seasons.
The most common neotropical migrants include Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Canada Warbler, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Scarlet Tanager. Check the larger fields at Maintenance Yard for the abundant migrant sparrows, which can include Lincoln's Sparrow. Unusual species which are seen virtually every year in Rock Creek include Black-billed Cuckoo, Philadelphia Vireo and Gray-cheeked Thrush.
Details
Access
Rock Creek Park Maintenance Yard is tucked inside Rock Creek Park, near the Nature Center and Planetarium, and just southeast of Fort DeRussy. All of Rock Creek Park is free to enter. The Rock Creek Park Nature Center serves as the park’s visitor center and offers hiking information, brochures and maps.
Take Connecticut Avenue, NW northbound to Military Road NW. Turn right onto Military Road and proceed to Glover Road on the right (The street to the left is named Oregon Avenue). Turn right on Glover Road and follow the signs to the Nature Center, officially at 5200 Glover Road. You can park next to the nature center or next to the Maintenance Yard. Press a P on the map for directions to the parking.
By Metro and Bus: The Friendship Heights (Red Line) or Fort Totten (Green Line and Red Line) Metro Stations are the closest to the Nature Center. From either station, take the E-4 bus to the Nature Center.