• dogwood across creek

    Prince William Forest

    Park Virginia

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  • Firewood

    Outside firewood is prohibited in Prince William Forest Park, unless it is certified USDA 'bug free' firewood. Dead and downed wood may be collected from designated areas for use while in the park. Help us protect the forest from invasive species!

  • Warm Wet Spring = More Ticks

    Please check yourself and your pets for ticks continually during and after your visit. Ticks are less prevelent if you stay on trail or in mowed areas. Wearing light colored clothing helps you spot them before the attach.

  • Temp. Closure C-Loop Bathroom

    Due to sequestration cuts, the C-Loop bathroom at Oak Ridge Campground will remain closed. Please use the B-Loop restroom, a short walking distance away. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Birds

Here at Prince William Forest Park, we are fortunate enough to have a large unfragmented tract of mature deciduous trees and lots of moving water. This attracts a wide variety of birdlife that can't be found in many other nearby parks. The birds found in this park are species that are found in high quality forest habitat.

Did you know that Prince William Forest Park is a designated "Important Birding Area" by the Audubon Society. Visit their website or check out their brochure for more information.

There are several types of birds found in Prince William Forest Park.

 
a wood thrush on nest

a wood thrush on nest

Paula Sullivan

Songbirds
There are so many species of songbirds that can be heard upon entering our forest in the early morning hours that the forest sometimes seems to sing.

First you may be greeted by the loud "teacher-teacher-teacher" of the overnbird or the whistling high-pitched song of the warbler. Many claim that the song of the wood thrush is their favorite. Perhaps the soft "zsee-zsee" and daper coloration of a cedar waxwing eating winter berries will brighten your day.

For more on these sweet sounding birds, visit our songbird page.

 
geese on pier

Waterbirds
Down by the water kingfishers and great-blue herons may be surprised by your appearance on the trail, flushing up into the air before returning to earth further upstream.

 
barred owl in ranger's hand

Raptors
A simple car trip along scenic drive may lead to an encounter with a barred owl or red-shouldered hawk or one of the many other raptor species we have in Prince William Forest Park.

 
flicker on tree

Common Forest Birds
Take a picnic at Pine Grove Picnic Pavilion and watch orioles knitting together their pendulant nests, or see flycatchers darting back and forth getting their lunch on the wing.

 
woodpecker activity on trees
Woodpeckers
Throughout any walk in these woods, you may here the laughing call of the pileated woodpecker or the tap-tap-tap of a red-bellied woodpecker.
 

Feel free to e-mail us for more information on our birds or to report an exciting siting. Visit our Schedule of Events page to attend one of our ranger-led bird hikes or programs.

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Prince William Forest Park preserves the largest inventory of Civilian Conservation Corps structures (153) in the National Park System. Four of the five cabin camps are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as historic districts.