At 1754 acres, Rock Creek Park is the largest natural area in the District. That leaves a lot of area to explore, but the best birding areas are confined to a much smaller area on top of the park's western ridge. To see the Rock Creek Park at its best, visit during migration, in May or September. The usual birders' route is to start at the Nature Center, walk south to visit picnic areas 17/18 (known as "the ridge") at dawn, and then check the maintenance yard later in the morning. Sometimes the maintenance yard will be more productive than the ridge. Because the maintenance yard is at the top of a hill, most birds there will be at or below eye level. It is also worth walking through the dog run across Glover Road from the Nature Center. Be careful while crossing or walking on roadways in Rock Creek Park, as some are heavily used by cars. When in the park, remember to look up, as some migrating species are only seen in the park as flyovers. DC Audubon runs a field trip at this location every September.
