Hi all-

Was given a tour this morning of some of the forts that comprise the Civil
War Defenses of Washington <http://www.nps.gov/cwdw/index.htm> - 18 of
which are currently under the protection of the National Park Service.  By
1865 some 68 forts had been constructed in a ring around the city.  They
exist today in varying states of repair, but many of them (I learned) are
good spots for birds.  Here are the highlights:

*Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, in
**Anacostia*<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=frgbld&gs_nf=1&tok=K71u_U0FKdyktvYURUsVoA&cp=28&gs_id=3v&xhr=t&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1786&bih=928&wrapid=tljp1332186760847061&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&fb=1&gl=us&hq=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&hnear=0x89b7c6de5af6e45b:0xc2524522d4885d2a,Washington,+DC&cid=0,0,8961963454078631038&ei=jo5nT_GEMuXx0gHZ2ZmMCA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CA4Q_BI>
OK this isn't one of the Civil War Defenses of Washington, but it's where
we met our ranger for the tour.  An absolutely stunning property, with
commanding view of the National Mall.  Located on a hill between Fort
Stanton Park and Anacostia Park, I can only imagine how good this spot must
be during high migration.

   - Eastern Phoebe - several calling
   - American Robins - everywhere
   - Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpecker
   - Song Sparrows
   - Juncos, Carolina Wren, Cardinal, Grackle, Mourning Dove, Blue Jays


*Fort Foote Park, **Fort Washington
MD*<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=frgbld&gs_nf=1&tok=K71u_U0FKdyktvYURUsVoA&cp=28&gs_id=3v&xhr=t&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1786&bih=928&wrapid=tljp1332186760847061&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&fb=1&gl=us&hq=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&hnear=0x89b7c6de5af6e45b:0xc2524522d4885d2a,Washington,+DC&cid=0,0,8961963454078631038&ei=jo5nT_GEMuXx0gHZ2ZmMCA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CA4Q_BI>
Once a large fort built on high bluffs to protect DC from ironclads
steaming up the Potomac.  Giant cannons still exist in the park, which is
absolutely gorgeous.  Lots of different habitats.

   - Osprey - a pair carrying nesting material
   - Eastern Bluebird
   - Tons of Robins
   - TONS of Eastern Phoebe
   - Yellow-rumped Warbler
   - Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpeckers
   - Cormorant and Gulls on the river
   - Several calling Eastern Towhee

*Fort Greble, **Bellevue*<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=frgbld&gs_nf=1&tok=K71u_U0FKdyktvYURUsVoA&cp=28&gs_id=3v&xhr=t&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1786&bih=928&wrapid=tljp1332186760847061&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&fb=1&gl=us&hq=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&hnear=0x89b7c6de5af6e45b:0xc2524522d4885d2a,Washington,+DC&cid=0,0,8961963454078631038&ei=jo5nT_GEMuXx0gHZ2ZmMCA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CA4Q_BI>
The earthworks of this fort are hardly recognizable, and the site is now
primarily a recreational park.  Still, good woods and scrub for migrants.

   - Fish Crows
   - Carolina Chickadees
   - Hairy Woodpecker

*Fort Stevens, **NW
DC*<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=frgbld&gs_nf=1&tok=K71u_U0FKdyktvYURUsVoA&cp=28&gs_id=3v&xhr=t&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1786&bih=928&wrapid=tljp1332186760847061&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&fb=1&gl=us&hq=frederick+douglass+national+historic+site&hnear=0x89b7c6de5af6e45b:0xc2524522d4885d2a,Washington,+DC&cid=0,0,8961963454078631038&ei=jo5nT_GEMuXx0gHZ2ZmMCA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CA4Q_BI>
Confederates moving south after the Battle of Monocacy were stopped here in
fierce fighting in July 1864.  Abraham Lincoln visited and stood on the
parapet to watch the battle until a surgeon next to him was struck by a
sharpshooter's bullet!  City park, and not great for birds, however.

Best,
Nick
Civil War Associate
National Parks Conservation Association

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