Birding

Sweet Run State Park

Situated between Short Hill Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains in an area traditionally known as Between the Hills, this narrow valley of fields, forest, and mountains offers visitors an excellent opportunity to see and hear a variety of birds. More than 170 species use the park as a migratory stopover, breeding territory, or winter home.

Type of birds

A leisurely hike through the woods may reveal flycatchers, thrushes, turkeys, tanagers, wrens, warblers, vireos, owls, and seven species of woodpeckers. The brilliant blues of Indigo Buntings and Eastern Bluebirds brighten the fields, joined by swallows, sparrows, orioles, and the aerial acrobatics of ravens, raptors, and vultures circling overhead. Wooded streams and ponds provide habitat for Louisiana Waterthrush, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Duck, and Green Heron. To view a full list of species found in the park, click here.

Best time of year to observe

May offers a unique opportunity to observe lingering winter species like Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos early in the month, migrants like Blackburnian and Bay-breasted Warblers mid-month, and summer breeding species such as Scarlet Tanagers and Kentucky and Cerulean Warblers toward the end. Fall is also a good time for birdwatching at the park, with opportunities to spot migrating birds amid the colorful foliage.

Best places in the park to observe

The visitor center and surrounding area provide habitat for a variety of birds, including some uncommon species such as American Woodcock, Bobolink, and American Kestrel. Butterfly Alley is a great place to find Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Cedar Waxwings, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Arnold Lane and Wood Thrush Trail are also reliable birding spots. The park features five different eBird hotspots.

Special birding programs and events

Join us for the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy-sponsored monthly bird walk (register online) or become a citizen scientist by helping with the park's annual Christmas Bird Count and Great Backyard Bird Count. We also offer an Intro to Birding class once or twice a year, along with a live raptor program in the fall. Sweet Run hosts two bluebird trails with a total of 24 nest boxes, all monitored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.

See all Birding Events

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