To celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) , DC Audubon in partnership with Corazón Latino, Washington Parks and People (WPP), and the US Forest Service, organized a bilingual bird walk in DC’s Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. We started at 9:00 am welcoming people from all over the District of Columbia at WPP’s office, Embassy of Earth. For most people attending the event, this was their first bird walk ever. We were all very excited to see the migratory birds that stop at this famous urban park in DC on their way north.
Our group was as diverse as the birds we saw. We had people from Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States. For a little over 60 minutes, together, we explored the park in search for migratory birds which come from Central and South America. Together we saw 22 species. Nearly half of them were migratory species. We saw a Red-eyed Vireo, Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallow, Gray Catbirds, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and a Blackpoll Warbler.
In addition to watching birds, we discussed the name of the migratory birds in Spanish. We learned that Gray Catbird is Maullador Gris (Gray Meowing) in Spanish and that Warblers are known as Chipes in Mexico and Central America and Reinitas in South America. We learned that the Blackburnian Warbler is Chipe Garganta Anaranjada (Orange-throated Warbler) and the Yellow-throated Warbler is Chipe Garganta Amarilla (Yellow-throated Warbler).
After our walk in the park, we walked back to the Embassy of Earth to have snacks and chat about birds. We finished our event building DIY bird feeders with pine cones, peanut butter, and bird seeds that the kids took home. We hope to meet again to birdwatch together in DC’s parks.
Andrés Anchondo
DC Audubon, Diversity and Outreach Committee Chair
