Fort Washington Park

Known primarily for its rich military history, Fort Washington Park also provides habitat for a
variety of bird species.  In spring and fall, migrating warblers stop in the Park to rest and forage
in the forest canopy. The neotropical migrants Acadian Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood
Thrush,  Northern Parula, Worm-eating Warbler, and Ovenbird nest on the forested slopes, along
with year-round resident woodpeckers, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted
Nuthatches, Carolina Wrens, and Northern Cardinals.  The streams in the Park's ravines attract
Louisiana Waterthrushes and Prothonotary Warblers, which also nest near the shores of Swan
and Piscataway creeks and the Potomac River.  American Robins and Baltimore Orioles nest at
forest edges, or in scattered trees in picnic areas or along the entrance drive.  The abandoned
military batteries provide nesting ledges for Eastern Phoebes and Barn Swallows, which forage
over the Park's lawns and adjacent waters.  Ospreys frequently roost along the shoreline and
regularly nest on offshore navigational structures.  During winter, the waters of the Potomac
River and Piscataway Creek are used by a variety of waterfowl species.  Rafts of Lesser Scaup,
Buffleheads, Common Mergansers, and Ruddy Ducks are especially common.  Little early
successional vegetation exists in Fort Washington Park, so bird species that nest or winter in
these habitats are rare.