Tracking Birds in D.C. Community Gardens
The Migratory Bird Center is investigating the role community gardens play in supporting bird populations in urban environments. While protected urban forests are known to sustain biodiversity, less is understood about the value of surrounding spaces such as gardens. This project evaluates whether community gardens provide important habitat for birds during the breeding season.
Researchers capture, measure, and color-band birds at sites across the active network of community gardens in Washington, D.C., including Rock Creek Community Garden, Newark Street Community Garden, Glover Archbold Community Garden, National Arboretum Youth Garden and the Fort DuPont Community Garden.
Color banding allows individual birds to be identified and tracked over time, providing data on site use and seasonal presence.
The study focuses on several common breeding species:
- Northern cardinal
- Gray catbird
- Song sparrow
- Eastern towhee
- House wren
Tracking these species helps researchers assess how birds are using garden habitats and whether these spaces support their survival and reproduction.
Community participation is a central component of the project. Through scheduled banding demonstrations and ongoing engagement, gardeners learn about bird ecology and how to report sightings of color-banded birds. These observations contribute directly to the research dataset.
The Community Garden Project is an offshoot of Neighborhood Nestwatch, which for 25 years was the Migratory Bird Center's signature community science program. This work is designed to better understand how community-managed green spaces contribute to urban conservation and to document the role Washington, D.C.’s gardeners play in supporting local wildlife.
This project received support from the Smithsonian Women's Committee.
