neilpa Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 I'll be in the Washington DC area for an extended weekend in the middle of September. Should have time for 1 (or 2 if the GF allows) birding outings between other plans. Hoping there might be some folks here with a some suggestions in the greater DC area, within an hour or so drive. I haven't put together a target list yet since there's so many Eastern birds I haven't seen. Mostly looking for somewhere that would give a good variety of species we don't get out west. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiscalus quiscula Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Any target birds in particular? I don't know if you've got Green Heron yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 @Peromyscus 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 @neilpa Where in the DC area are you staying? There are a couple of places that can host migrating warblers etc. near me that I visit. Rock Creek Park (near the nature center) in northwest DC is one of them, and it can be crowded on weekends. Parking can be tough then but weekdays it should be better. Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton/Silver Spring in Maryland can be a great place too, from the Shorefield Avenue parking area over to Pine Lake. Huntley Meadows Park in the Fairfax County part of Alexandria is a good place for non-birders and birders. There is a boardwalk that goes through a marsh and one can see many herons, ducks, sandpipers if the water level is low, Osprey, Bald Eagle, and last month up to three Roseate Spoonbills. I wouldn't say that the waterbird selection is particularly eastern (unless you are from Seattle). Green Herons should still be present in mid September. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpa Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Peromyscus said: Huntley Meadows Park in the Fairfax County part of Alexandria is a good place for non-birders and birders. That sounds like a good suggestion since we're actually staying in Alexandria. My girlfriend is a non-birder but I'm slowly converting her. We were also considering driving out to Chesapeake Bay. 2 hours ago, Peromyscus said: last month up to three Roseate Spoonbills I was lucky enough to see the Michigan spoonbill a couple weeks ago when visiting family 2 hours ago, Peromyscus said: unless you are from Seattle Guilty as charged. Hoping for some migrating warblers given the paucity we get in the PNW. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 (edited) 16 minutes ago, neilpa said: That sounds like a good suggestion since we're actually staying in Alexandria. My girlfriend is a non-birder but I'm slowly converting her. We were also considering driving out to Chesapeake Bay. I was lucky enough to see the Michigan spoonbill a couple weeks ago when visiting family Guilty as charged. Hoping for some migrating warblers given the paucity we get in the PNW. My first outdoor date with my now wife was to Huntley Meadows (in June or July). It went well. eta: that date was 26 years ago, and she has become a birder and quite interested in dragonflies. I'm glad you saw a spoonbill! Hopefully you will see some warblers while you are here. (Do you listen to KEXP in Seattle?) Edited August 10, 2021 by Peromyscus 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpa Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 8 minutes ago, Peromyscus said: (Do you listen to KEXP in Seattle?) Not very often, I'm much more of a podcast person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 11 minutes ago, neilpa said: Not very often, I'm much more of a podcast person Cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 (edited) Neilpa, there are some other spots in Alexandria. Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve and other, nearby eBird hotspots with Belle Haven in the name should have migrant landbirds in the mornings, and they aren't terribly far from Huntley Meadows. In the City of Alexandria itself is Monticello Park, which can be awesome in spring, though I don't know how it is in September. Parking on weekends can be really problematical. And, trying to get from Alexandria to Rock Creek Park (eta: that I mentioned earlier) is not something I would suggest for a weekday especially for an out-of-towner because of rush hour and some roads becoming one-way (and there's a months-long road closure too). Edited August 10, 2021 by Peromyscus 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Also neilpa, feel free to follow me if you want more information or want to meet up for birding. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpa Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 Most of my birding on this trip turned out to be incidental. Was only able to squeeze in one short birding trail while we were there, too many other sites to see. Still managed 7 lifers at least which is better than nothing. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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