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
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
Iceland Gull (kumlieni)
Larus glaucoides
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurus
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
Sora
Porzana carolina
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
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 →