Constitution
Gardens
Where is it?
Between Constitution
Avenue and Independence Avenue, and the Lincoln Memorial and 17th Street.
When to go
This area is a migrant
trap. The wide area of green space in the middle of an urban city attracts
birds moving through the area. During migration, both from mid-April to
May and in September/October. Visits in the Spring after South winds and
in the Fall after a cold front seem to be most productive. Some days there
is nothing unusual to see. Frequent visits will be more rewarding than occasional
forays.
Where to go
There are several access
points. One good point is at 19th Street and Constitution Avenue. Entering
here will bring you immediately to a small pond. You can take the trail
to the right, which will eventually bring you near the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. You should carefully explore all areas around the Lincoln Monument,
such as the Korean War Memorial and the DC Veteran's Memorial. The latter
has the largest non-elm trees in the Mall area and the all-important understory
of azaleas and other cover.
What to see
The following were
reported during April and May 1999 and represent a fairly typical migration:
Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Blue-headed
Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Northern
Flicker, Hermit Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow,
Black-and-White Warbler, Northern Parula, Palm Warbler, Eastern Towhee,
Osprey, Veery, Prairie Warbler, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue
Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Orchard Oriole, American Redstart,
Canada Warbler, Swainson's Thrush, Blackpoll Warbler, Magnolia Warbler,
Common Yellowthroat, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Black-throated
Green Warbler, Great Egret.
In winter you can see
Ring-billed Gull, Canada Geese, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Great
Blue Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, Cooper's Hawk and some waterfowl in
the ponds if they do not freeze over.
1998-2000 Recent
and Notable Sightings: Blue-winged Teal (4/22/99), Grasshopper Warbler
(4/26/99), possible Willow Flycatcher (9/20/99), American Wigeon (12/29/99).
A Yellow Rail was seen at the DC Veteran's Memorial when it was under construction.
How to get there
By car: Find
your way to Constitution Avenue, west of 17th Street. You can park along
Constitution Avenue easily on weekends, although weekday parking may be
difficult and restricted.
By Metro: From
the Farragut West Station on the Orange or Blue Lines, walk south on 17th
or 18th street about eight blocks to the Northeast corner of Constitution
Gardens. Alternatively, find your way to the Foggy Bottom station and walk
south on 23rd street until you reach Constitution Avenue. Cross to the mall
area and walk the sidewalk to your left until you find an entrance.
Accessibility and Comfort:
There is a rest room
near the pond by the 19th Street entrance. This area is somewhat removed
from the District's eating establishments. You can hike back toward the
West end of the mall and the cafeterias in the various Smithsonian museums,
grab a hot dog from a street vendor or walk up to Pennsylvania Avenue for
more traditional fare. There are also eating establishments and a deli in
Columbia Plaza on 23rd Street and Virginia Avenue, N.W.
Keys
Lincoln
Monument, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, War Memorial,
Kennedy Center, White House, State Department, Foggy Bottom.
Other
Areas
As you wander through
other parts of the mall, and in and out of the various monuments, keep your
eyes open for unusual species. The gardens and landscaping around the mall
area, and the various gardens are often attractive to birds.
1998-2000
Recent and Notable Sightings not Reported Elsewhere
Virginia Rail (7/27/98
to 10/98) -- Smithsonian Castle grounds, Enid Haupt Garden, NW side of the
Natural Museum of African Art.
Possible California Gull
(7/23/98) -- Washington Monument.
Common Nighthawk flights
(8/29-30/98, 5/14/99, 8/22/99) -- U.S. Capitol.
Ovenbird (10/16/98 to
11/11/98) -- Smithsonian Enid Haupt Garden.
Hermit Thrush (10/16/98)
-- Smithsonian Enid Haupt Garden.
Common Nighthawk flights
(8/17-18/99) -- Washington Monument.
Common Nighthawk flights
(10/3/99) -- Lincoln Park (Capitol Hill)
Bonaparte's Gull (4/12/98)
-- Potomac River (location unknown)
Horned Grebe (11/25/99)
-- Potomac River (Memorial Bridge)
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