Birds

Little Hunting Creek is a magnet for birds.

The tidal marshy portions of the lower creek attract ducks and geese, herons and egrets, gulls and terns, blackbirds, warblers, orioles, to name just a few. Shorebirds such as Killdeer also visit at low tide during migration. The upstream forested portions provide habitat for song birds that prefer to nest near water, such as Prothonotary Warblers.

In recent years, two pairs of eagles have nested in tall trees along the shores of tidal Little Hunting Creek, as has a small rookery of Great Blue Herons.

• Merlin will help identify birds you see in Little Hunting Creek.

• Use eBird to learn which birds have been observed in one of the birding hotspots in the watershed.

• On tidal Little Hunting Creek:

• Stockton Parkway

• Mt. Vernon

• Riverside Park

• In upstream, forested areas:

• Fort Hunt Elementary School

• White Oaks Park

• Mount Vernon Unitarian Church

• At the headwaters:

• Huntley Meadows Park




The eBird project draws upon the knowledge and availability of birdwatchers, since professional scientists cannot be everywhere all the time. Yes, you too can contribute data to eBird!




Beavers



This particular beaver (and his kin) are prodigious constructors. Their beaver dam on Little Hunting Creek is visible in Google Earth. Type in the coordinates 38 44'00.39"N 77 04'58.19"W and see it for yourself!