Our 2021 Tarheel (North Carolina) Big Year is on hold for a week while we watch over three grandsons in Bethesda, Maryland. We’ve had some interesting birds here, but they don’t “count.” I was at loose ends Tuesday morning after the kids ran for the bus, so I borrowed my daughter’s van and headed to Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C.
Wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands honor the legacy of a great outdoorsman and conservationist.
NPS brochure
There’s an easy to follow route around the perimeter of the island, but you can see from the eBird screenshot that you are not exactly in the wilderness…
The Potomac River is the landmark pilots use to line up their descent into Reagan National airport. The planes are literally right overhead throughout your hike. And noisy!
Still, the island has a lot of nice habitat.
Only 15 species, and nothing exotic (i.e., NO MIGRANTS!), but a nice 2.5 mile loop, including a long stretch of boardwalk through the swampy area, and many views of the river and city.
In the center of the island is the memorial statue of Teddy Roosevelt, but access was limited today.
So, back across the pedestrian bridge to the parking lot, located right off of busy George Washington Parkway. The Island is well worth a visit, but for warblers–show up by 7 a.m.!
My.Bird.Walks. 