Tidal Basin/East
Potomac Park/Hains Point
Where is it?
The Tidal Basin is that
circular pond of water by the Jefferson and FDR Memorials in SW Washington,
near the 14th Street Bridge. East Potomac Park is also in SW Washington
and borders the Washington Channel on one end, the Potomac River on the
other. There is a circular drive around the park, which has picnic areas
and a golf course. At the far end is a Hains Point, where you will also
find the famed statue Awakening.
When to go
Winter for gulls, loons,
grebes, ducks, raptors; shorebirds in migration. However, conditions and
the chance of finding gull rarities change dramatically with the weather.
In winter, the area is best after about a week of sub-freezing temperatures
when the Washington Channel and Potomac River are partially frozen. This
may result in a fish kill which attracts large number of gulls.
A
nature note: The best guarantor of a fish kill are the following combination
of events: (1) late winter, when river herring and gizzard shad prepare
for breeding, and (2) a lengthy period of warm temperatures, which gets
the ecosystem metabolish going and finally (3) a severe cold snap that quickly
freezes the open water. At this point, the fishes are all in a highly active
frame of mind, and the the ice cuts off oxygen exchange. This is when we
get massive fish kills. -- with thanks
to Jim Felley!
After a longer freeze,
the birds move down the Potomac, closer to open water. In migration, both
spring (April to June) and fall (August to October), shorebirds will be
attracted to the golf course after rains that result in water pools and
muddy conditions.
Where to go
Check the water in the
Tidal Basin, the trees and bushes in the area, nearby fields.
Watch the golf course,
and trees along the channel and the greenery at Hains Point.
Search the Washington
Channel and the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
What to see
Gulls are present all
year round with nearly a thousand to see in daytime, more in the late afternoons
when the gulls arrive to roost. The extra visitors are usually gone by dawn.
Gulls congregate at the Tidal Basin, the Golf Course, and on the Potomac.
Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls begin to arrive in August, with Herring Gulls
and Great Black-backed Gulls checking in with the arrival of fall. Between
January and March is the best time for rarities, with Iceland, Glaucous
and Thayer's possible. Lesser Black-backed are frequently present from late
September to early April. Visiting October to March gives you the best chance
of finding one. Franklin's Gulls may be present summer and early fall, whereas
Bonaparte's can be found during April migration. Look for Caspian and Forster's
Terns during summer and fall migration.
In the Channel and on
the water beyond look for Common Loon and Horned Grebe in March and November.
Rarities to watch for include Red-throated Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Eared
Grebe, Brant, Oldsquaw, and all three scoters.
In the trees along the
river and in the air in winter, search for accipiters, Bald Eagle, and Merlin.
On the golf course look
for Black-bellied Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, peeps, Pectoral
Sandpiper, and Common Snipe. American Golden- Plover, Upland Sandpiper,
and Ruddy Turnstone have been seen, but are rarer. Cattle Egrets are regular
in Spring; Glossy Ibis occasionally reported. Flocks of swallows may be
present. During the winter months, the grassy areas have attracted Short-eared
Owl, Lapland Longspurs, Horned Larks and American Pipits, but these are
rare or occasional visitors.
Pay careful attention
to opposite shorelines. In 1997, a Snowy Owl was reported from the opposite
shore on National Airport property.
1998-2000 Recent
and Notable Sightings:
Tidal Basin -- Bald
Eagle (3/7/98), Common Loon (3/25/98), Osprey (7/28/98, 4/6/99), Common
Nighthawk (8/6/98), Cedar Waxwings (4/6/99), California Gull (1/16/99),
Common Loon (3/25/98), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1/16/99, 12/18/99, 12/25/99),
Horned Grebe (11/25/99), Caspian Tern (4/22/99), Pied-billed Grebe (12/8/99)
Nesting Rough-winged Swallows (3/30/98, 4/23/98, 4/6/99, 5/12/99), Greater
Yellowlegs (9/17/99), large numbers of Double-crested Cormorants (4/11/98,
12/99)
East Potomac Park/Washington
Channel/Potomac River -- Black-headed Gull (12/21/98), Redhead 3/20/98),
Dunlin (5/10/98), Pacific Loon (5/25/98), Franklin's Gull (5/23/99, 9/7/99),
Merlin (12/18&28/98, 1/2/99, 1/23& 30/99, 11/12 & 18/99, 12/25
& 29/99, 1/2/00), Bufflehead (1/4/99, 4/12/99), Bald Eagle (12/28/98,
1/99, 11/12 & 18/99, 12/25/99), American Coot (4/13/99), Common and
Red-breasted Mergansers (4/10/98), Bonaparte's Gull (4/10/98, 4/13/99),
Horned Grebe (1/8/99, 11/99), Lesser Black-backed Gull (12/98, 12/99), Caspian
tern (4/10/98, 5/23/99), Double-crested Cormorant (3/37/98, 4/13/99), Common
Loon (4/13/99, 11/25/99), Palm Warbler, Peregrine Falcon, Blue-winged Teal,
Barn and Rough-winged Swallows (all 4/10/98), Cooper's Hawk (11/8/99), Golden-crowned
Kinglet (11/8/99), Osprey (4/13/99), Song Sparrow (4/13/99).
How to get there
By Car: From 15th Street,
N.W. drive south. After Independence Avenue, S.W. 15th Street becomes Raoul
Wallenberg Place. Continue past the Tidal Basin. Watch for the signs to
Ohio Drive, S.W. and East Potomac Park. Turn left of Ohio Drive and proceed
to a parking area.
By Metro: Begin
from the Smithsonian Station on the Orange or Blue Lines and walk west on
Independence Avenue to Raoul Wallenberg Place. Turn left, cross to the Tidal
Basin. After you circle the Tidal Basin clockwise, you will cross a small
bridge. Turn left at the East Potomac Park sign, walk under the overpass
and on down to Hains Point.
Accessibility and Comfort
There is a boardwalk
along parts of the park.
Keys
Jefferson Memorial,
Smithsonian Institution, FDR Memorial.
The
Washington Waterfront
Where is it?
The waterfront area
is in SW and extends along Water Street, S.W., down past the various seafood
restaurants and Potomac River cruise lines to the Harbor Patrol Police headquarters
and a river walk beyond. These sites provide alternate views of the Washington
Channel. Another area that provides a slightly different view, one of the
Anacostia River area, is located at Buzzard Point.
When to go
The area is best in
winter, especially after subfreezing weather has frozen over some of the
waterways closer to the city center.
Where to go
Search
the visible water from any of the accessible piers along Water Street, S.W.
and then continue to the Harbor Police Patrol headquarters. From here you
can walk through the parking lot to a river walk that continues further
up the shore line until the boundary with Fort McNair. From the end of this
walk you can scope just about up the entire seawall along Fort McNair. Then
head back to Maine Avenue, S.W., which become M Street, S.W. at 6th Street,
S.W., heading east until you turn right at 1st Street, S.W.. Continue to
the end. This is Buzzard's Point. For a view into James Creek, head back
north up 1st Street, S.W. and turn left on V Street, S.W. Make a left on
2nd Street and continue to the end.
What to see
The usual Washington
Channel specialties: gulls and waterfowl.
1998-2000 Recent
and Notable Sightings: Tufted Duck (2/00), Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull.
How to get there
By car: Take
Independence Avenue east to 7th Street, S.W. and turn right. Follow 7th
Street past Maine Avenue to Water Street. You can travel left or right from
here to visit various points of access. There are pay parking lots and meter
parking in the area. The meters must be fed Monday through Friday during
working hours, but you can park for free over the weekend. There may be
additional free parking on the side streets off and on 7th, 6th and 4th
Streets, S.W. Note that Maine Avenue, S.W. becomes M Street, S.W. at 6th
Street, S.W.
By Metro: The
Waterfront Station on the Green Line is the closest to the area. Walk west
along M Street S.W. and Maine Avenue S.W. until your reach 7th Street, S.W.
and turn left. Proceed to Water Street, S.W. You can also take 4th Street,
S.W. south and turn right down N Street, S.W. or O Street, S.W. for access
to the lower Potomac River walk.
Accessibility and Comfort
Food is located along
Water Street, S.W. and Maine Avenue/M Street, S.W. There are restrooms in
the restaurants. Portions of the pier area and river walk are accessible.
Keys
National Mall Area,
Fort McNair, Washington Navy Yard.
Fort
McNair
Where is it?
This is another vantage
point for viewing the Washington Channel from the shore opposite East Potomac
Park. The Fort is located in SW Washington.
The National Defense University and National War College are located here.
You can ask the guard at the gate for permission to enter to bird the area,
but be forewarned that you may be asked for military or federal identification
to gain access. From Greenleaf Point you can see the area where the Channel
and the two Rivers -- Potomac and Anacostia -- meet.
When to go
During winter for waterfowl
and gull specialties.
Where to go
Once inside the gate
drive straight down 3rd Avenue and turn right on B Street. Proceed to 1st
Street, which runs along the Channel. Follow the loop that runs from 1st
Street, to D Street Street to E Street and back up 4th Street or 5th Street
to B Street and out from 3rd Avenue. Along 1st Street, at the end of 4th
Street and and part of 5th Street, you will be very close to the water.
Be sure to stay out of any restricted areas and park only where permitted.
What to see
During a recent winter
trip the following were noted: Canvasback, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup,
Canada Geese, Red-breasted Merganser, Tufted Duck. Ring-billed, Herring
and Great Black-backed Gulls were also seen.
1998-2000 Recent
and Notable Sightings: Tufted Duck (2/00).
How to get there
By car: From
Independence Avenue travel east to 7th Avenue, S.W. and turn right. Continue
to Maine Avenue, S.W. and turn left. Follow Maine Avenue until it becomes
M Street, S.W. Take the first right at 4th Street and proceed to the T junction
at P Street, S.W. and turn left. The next right takes you to the 3rd Avenue
gate.
By Metro: Take
the Green Line to the Waterfront Station. From M Street walk south down
4th Street, S.W. and follow the directions given above.
Accessibility and Comfort
You may be able to use
restrooms in the golf course clubhouse that is also next to the tennis courts.
The clubhouse also has a snackbar that was open Sunday midday. Otherwise,
for food and restrooms return to the Washington Waterfront area or M Street,
S.W. You can bird portions of the base from the road and the parking lots.
Keys
National Mall Area,
The Washington Waterfront area, Washington Navy Yard.
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