Photo: Great Blue Heron, Kent Blumberg
Kent Blumberg
My favorite birding spot is Veterans Memorial Park in Woodbridge. It’s close to my home and offers a variety of habitats: Marumsco Creek along the western edge of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, cattail marsh, Osprey nests on light poles, and a small strip of forest that often hosts migrant songbirds.
I keep coming back for the surprises that appear around every bend in the trail.
There are several easy places to park, depending on how far you want to walk. A gravel lot sits at the corner of Featherstone Road and Bay Street, perfect if you want a longer walk along the soccer fields before heading to the creek. For a shorter visit, park near the skateboard park or at the baseball fields at the end of the road.
The trail along the creek is flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for most visitors. There’s one short section with steps near the recreation center, but otherwise it’s an easy walk.
The trail follows the creek for about a half mile. I usually walk out and back the same way. It’s always surprising how much the scenery and birds change when I turn around.
The edges of the soccer fields can be surprisingly productive. I’ve spotted migrating warblers, Ospreys feeding, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers in mid-molt, along with other surprises.
Over the years, eBird reports include more than 200 species here. Highlights of my visits include Great Blue Herons, Brown Creepers, Eastern Bluebirds, Ospreys, Wood Ducks, and many others. If you’re looking for specific species, pay attention to the tides. Low tide exposes mudflats that attract shorebirds, while high tide brings in more waterfowl.
Osprey with breakfast. Photo: Kent Blumberg.
As a photographer, I’m always looking for interesting bird behavior. One morning I spent 30 minutes watching a Great Blue Heron wrestle with a huge catfish, repositioning it again and again before finally swallowing it headfirst. On another visit, I came across an Osprey enjoying breakfast in a tree next to the soccer fields. Moments like these are why I keep coming back.
The trail runs along the west side of the creek, so morning light can be tricky. I’ve had the best luck standing in the shade of a tree and shooting north or south for better side lighting.
During warmer months, the pickleball courts near the recreation center can get noisy. If you prefer a quieter experience, visit early in the morning or on a weekday.
Restrooms are available at the recreation center and baseball fields during warmer months, along with several portable toilets. Both are typically closed in winter.
If you’re looking for a peaceful place with a surprising variety of birds, consider a visit to Veterans Memorial Park. You never know what might be waiting just around the next bend.
Kent Blumberg is an MBA professor, passionate bird photographer and voracious reader.