Despite living in a densely-populated urban environment, we are surrounded by birds here in Washington, D.C. The records committee [1] for Maryland and D.C. has accepted reports for 324 species seen in the District. Many of these are not residents, or even regular visitors, but this speaks to the diversity of bird life that can be found within our boundaries. Since many residents remain unaware of the richness of Washington's native avifauna, we at the D.C. Audubon Society run at least two field trips every year to explore parks with the best bird habitat: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens [1] in the spring, and Rock Creek Park [1] in the fall.

We recently revised our Birding Around DC [1] page to offer updated descriptions of the major birding sites with the District, and a few from Maryland and Virginia. In addition to those large sites, there are smaller parks and gardens within the District where you can look for birds. This will be the first in a four-part series of articles on some alternatives to the big sites.

On the Mall

Our National Mall has many gardens and ponds where birds gather. The best spot for birding is Constitution Gardens [1], covered in our guide to birding sites.

Several museums on the south side of the Mall have small gardens. These small oases of green provide habitat for birds, especially during migration. On most days, the bird life in these gardens will most likely be limited to the common urban birds - starlings, house sparrows, robins, and so on. So do not go to these sites with the expectation of finding something rare. However, the gardens give the opportunity to see birds at very close range, and have the advantage of being convenient to visit by public transportation. Here are a few spots to check out.

Enid A. Haupt Gardens [2]: Behind the Smithsonian Castle, there is a display garden for flowers and small trees and shrubs. This is usually a good place to check for migrants if you are exploring the Mall. Reports here have included winter wren, Swainson's thrush, ovenbird, cedar waxwing, and the same hummingbirds that appeared in RipleyGardens. In 1998, a Virginia rail was reported here, so you never know what to expect.

Ripley Gardens [3]: Adjacent to the Arts and Industries Building, this garden became a local birding hotspot in November 2003 thanks to the discovery of black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds. Feeders placed in the garden have attracted rufous hummingbirds occasionally since that time. Birders looking for hummingbirds there have also spotted ovenbirds, a pine warbler, kinglets, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Wintering brown thrashers and gray catbirds have been spotted there as well.

Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden [4]: Across the street from the Hirshhorn Museum there is a small sculpture garden below ground level. The shrubs and vines around the garden usually host some birds; yellow-bellied sapsucker, yellow-breasted chat, ruby-throated hummingbird, and ovenbird have been reported here in the recent past.

National Museum of the American Indian: This new museum created a series of gardens around the museum to demonstrate the sorts of plants common in the area before the arrival of Europeans. For birding purposes, the best spot is the artificial wetland east of the museum, which attracts swamp sparrows and red-winged blackbirds. Mallards, and occasionally black ducks, use the pond. If you visit, make sure to check the agricultural section between the museum and Independence Avenue, as well. One day in fall 2006, the gardens around the wetland held kinglets, a hermit thrush, a winter wren, and a very tame common yellowthroat. See http://www.nmai.si.edu/ [5] for visitor information.

U.S. Botanic Gardens [6]: Check the gardens behind the conservatory for sparrows in winter and ruby-throated hummingbirds in summer. Common yellowthroats appear here occasionally. A large flock of palm warblers visited the new garden next to the conservatory in the fall of 2006.

U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool: Gulls and mallards gather at the reflecting pool. It is a good spot to study the common ring-billed gulls up close, if you wish to learn the plumages of different age groups in detail. The trees along the west side of the pool have hosted nesting eastern kingbirds over the past few summers.

As you walk around the Mall, be sure to check the sky. Raptors cruise the Mall regularly. Raptor sightings include red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, peregrine falcon, merlin, osprey, and bald eagle.

All of these sites are accessible by public transportation. The Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, and Federal Center SW stations on the Blue and Orange Lines are close. Check a map to see which station is best for the gardens you wish to visit.

The north side of the Mall has fewer gardens, and thus fewer birdwatching opportunities. Any tangle of vines or shrub may hold birds, so keep your eyes open as you make your way around. Occasional sightings may include kinglets, brown thrashers, thrushes, skulking warblers, and sparrows. For butterfly lovers, the Museum of Natural History has a butterfly garden [7].

One last Mall site that presents an opportunity to find birds is the Washington Monument. The grounds of the monument attract common nighthawks during migration. These birds can be seen in the floodlights as they swoop and dart to catch insects.

Future installments of this series will cover sites east of the Anacostia, sites in central Washington, and sites west of Rock Creek. Please contact me [7] if there are any errors in this article, or to suggest additional information.