Bird Walk - Georgetown Waterfront Park

Join DC Bird Alliance for a bird walk at Georgetown Waterfront Park, where urban birding meets the Potomac River and one of DC’s most charismatic seasonal visitors: the purple martin.

We’ll explore the waterfront together while observing swallows, waterbirds, songbirds, and other migratory species moving through the city. This walk is designed for birders of all experience levels and offers a chance to slow down, enjoy the riverfront, and learn more about the birds sharing our urban spaces.

Purple martins are highly social birds known for their aerial acrobatics, constant chatter, and long migration journeys between North and South America. Along the way, we’ll also discuss migration, urban habitat, and the importance of green spaces along the river corridor.

? Pace: Slow, with frequent stops
? Distance: Approximately 1–1.5 miles
? Terrain: Primarily paved sidewalks and waterfront paths
⛰ Elevation: Mostly flat
? Rest Areas: Benches available throughout the park
♿ Wheelchair Access: Accessible paved paths throughout most of the route
? Restrooms: Public restrooms available nearby

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water
• Insect repellant
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
• Binoculars (we have a limited number to share)

Photo: Purple Martin, Purple Martin Consevation Association

Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 2005 to support Georgetown Waterfront Park and the National Park Service with funds a to beautify and maintain the park’s native plants, rain gardens, pollinator gardens and more that create this urban respite for all to enjoy. Additionally, the Friends develop programs that bring the community together through events to highlight the park’s features. The purple martin houses in the park were first raised in 2021 and have encouraged the development of a robust colony of a bird species that has been declining over time. The houses came from cooperation among FOGWP, the National Park Service and the DC Department of Energy & Environment.