The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near Washington, DC

30 birding locations within 50 miles

District of Columbia · United States

30

Locations

54+

Species

10

Habitats

4

Peak Seasons

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Birding Locations Near Washington

Potomac River scenery near Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington DC

District of Columbia

1.6 mi away

Easy

Theodore Roosevelt Island

88-acre island preserve in the Potomac with breeding Prothonotary Warblers in the heart of DC.

ForestWetlandRiparianSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

District of Columbia

1.6 mi away

Challenging

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Coastal birding hotspot in District of Columbia with 222 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Estuary birding habitat

District of Columbia

1.6 mi away

Easy

West Potomac Park - Tidal Basin

Estuary birding hotspot in District of Columbia with 205 recorded species.

EstuaryUrban ParkSpringFall
a body of water with a bridge in the background

District of Columbia

2.4 mi away

Easy

East Potomac Park - Hains Point

Urban Park birding hotspot in District of Columbia with 266 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

District of Columbia

3.6 mi away

Moderate

C&O Canal - Fletcher's Cove (Fletcher's Boathouse)

Coastal birding hotspot in District of Columbia with 208 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Mature forest canopy and creek at Rock Creek Park

Maryland

3.6 mi away

Moderate

Rock Creek Park

DC's largest urban forest with spring warbler migration, breeding owls, and Pileated Woodpeckers.

ForestRiparianUrban ParkSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

District of Columbia

4.0 mi away

Challenging

Kingman Island South - Kingman Lake/Heritage Island

Coastal birding hotspot in District of Columbia with 217 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSpringFall
A pink lotus flower sitting on top of a lush green field

District of Columbia

5.0 mi away

Easy

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

Urban Park birding hotspot in District of Columbia with 255 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Pink lotus flower blooming at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington DC

District of Columbia

5.0 mi away

Easy

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

DC's unique lotus garden and tidal marsh with breeding Least Bitterns and rich spring migration.

WetlandMarshUrban ParkSpringSummer
Coastal birding habitat

Virginia

5.3 mi away

Challenging

Daingerfield Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Virginia with 208 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Maryland

5.7 mi away

Easy

Bladensburg Waterfront Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Maryland with 201 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Boat docked along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland

Maryland

6.5 mi away

Easy

C&O Canal National Historical Park

184-mile riparian corridor along the Potomac with exceptional spring warbler diversity and Bald Eagles.

RiparianForestWetlandSpringSummer
Forest birding habitat

Maryland

7.3 mi away

Moderate

Oxon Hill Farm

Forest birding hotspot in Maryland with 212 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Virginia

8.2 mi away

Moderate

Hunting Creek Bridge

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Virginia with 215 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Pine branches frame a calm blue sea under clear sky.

Maryland

8.3 mi away

Moderate

Lake Artemesia

Lake birding hotspot in Maryland with 226 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wild horses drinking from a muddy watering hole

Virginia

9.5 mi away

Moderate

Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve

Wetland birding hotspot in Virginia with 271 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Birds fly in formation over a grassy field.

Virginia

10.9 mi away

Easy

HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK

Urban Park birding hotspot in Virginia with 255 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Boardwalk over freshwater marsh at Huntley Meadows Park

Virginia

11.0 mi away

Easy

Huntley Meadows Park

DC area's premier wetland with boardwalk access to nesting herons, rails, and diverse marsh birds.

WetlandMarshForestSpringSummer
Forest birding habitat

Maryland

11.5 mi away

Moderate

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center

Forest birding hotspot in Maryland with 242 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
a body of water surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky

Virginia

13.2 mi away

Easy

Great Falls Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Virginia with 207 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Potomac River gorge and forested trails at Great Falls Park Virginia

Virginia

13.3 mi away

Moderate

Great Falls Park

Potomac gorge park with breeding Cerulean Warblers, dramatic river views, and rich spring migration.

ForestRiparianRockySpringSummer
Urban Park birding habitat

Virginia

13.7 mi away

Easy

Riverbend Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Virginia with 214 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Maryland

14.8 mi away

Easy

Piscataway Park - Boardwalk

Urban Park birding hotspot in Maryland with 232 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Maryland

15.2 mi away

Moderate

Lake Needwood

Lake birding hotspot in Maryland with 210 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
A vast field extends under a cloudy sky.

Maryland

15.2 mi away

Easy

Patuxent Research Refuge - South Tract (National Wildlife Visitor Center)

Forest birding hotspot in Maryland with 238 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Virginia

15.6 mi away

Easy

Lake Fairfax Park

Lake birding hotspot in Virginia with 213 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Maryland

16.5 mi away

Moderate

Schoolhouse Pond

Lake birding hotspot in Maryland with 237 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Virginia

16.6 mi away

Moderate

Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge

Coastal birding hotspot in Virginia with 222 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Maryland

16.9 mi away

Moderate

C&O Canal - Pennyfield Lock

Forest birding hotspot in Maryland with 233 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Virginia

17.5 mi away

Easy

Burke Lake Park

Lake birding hotspot in Virginia with 205 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall

Top Species Near Washington

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Prothonotary WarblerBarred OwlWood DuckPileated WoodpeckerGreen HeronYellow-throated VireoCanada GooseAmerican WoodcockRed-tailed HawkAmerican RobinMallardDouble-crested CormorantRed-bellied WoodpeckerNorthern ShovelerRedheadRing-necked DuckCommon GoldeneyeHooded MerganserBlue JayBuffleheadAmerican Herring GullTundra SwanGreen-winged TealWhite-throated SparrowEastern Towhee+29 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Urban Park13 locations
Forest9 locations
Wetland9 locations
Lake6 locations
Coastal5 locations
Riparian4 locations
Marsh2 locations
Estuary1 location
River/Riparian1 location
Rocky1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring30 locations
Summer6 locations
Fall24 locations
Winter9 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near Washington, DC?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of Washington include Theodore Roosevelt Island, Theodore Roosevelt Island, West Potomac Park - Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park - Hains Point, C&O Canal - Fletcher's Cove (Fletcher's Boathouse). These spots offer forest, wetland, riparian habitats.
What birds can I see near Washington?▼
Birders near Washington can spot species including Prothonotary Warbler, Barred Owl, Wood Duck, Pileated Woodpecker, Green Heron, Yellow-throated Vireo, Canada Goose, American Woodcock. The area's 10 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near Washington?▼
The best seasons for birding near Washington are Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near Washington?▼
There are 30 documented birding locations within 50 miles of Washington, DC, ranging from 1.6 to 17.5 miles from the city center.

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Explore District of Columbia

See all birding locations across District of Columbia.

All District of Columbia LocationsFull Directory