Parking - The best parking area for this hotspot is on the southbound portion of the Clara Barton Parkway, still north of the bridge. Near these coordinates: 38°55'49.6"N 77°06'46.0"W

Birding Locations - There are two main locations, the upper and lower levels.

• Upper Level - The bridge has a single sidewalk on the North side of the bridge. From this elevated sidewalk, birders can view three ponds that eventually connect on their northern ends. Good vantage point for distance waterfowl and species that visit treetops, as the latter become eye-level when on the bridge. 
• Lower Level - Take the staircase down on the DC side of the bridge year the intersection. Heading west on the ground level on the unkempt trails will provide different angles than on the bridge and increases mobility, at the cost of viewing distance. 
  • A birder does not need to be reckless to walk to the Potomac River, but one must be careful.

Recommended Gear - The lower level can be wet and muddy so boots may be ideal. Scoping is not recommended from the bridge as it would impede pedestrians and cyclists. 

Safety Concerns - No major concerns outside of potentially slippery trails that are not maintained on the lower level. The sidewalk on the bridge has a guardrail between traffic and pedestrians.

Common Raven - About one eighth of sightings are at this hotspot. This is one of the more reliable locations in the district even though the overall percent of sightings is not that high. 

Beginning in late March, and continuing to early May, Bonaparte’s gulls fly up the Potomac in the morning. Flights of several hundred birds have been seen. If you walk up the towpath a few hundred yards there is a path that leads to a concrete overlook right by the river. The narrow gorge allows excellent views of the gulls as they migrate by and also mergansers, hundreds of cormorants, diving osprey, and swallows. Wild turkeys, field sparrows, and bluebirds nest in the river scoured rocky outcrops.

The ponds that are visible from the bridge usually host wood ducks and common mergansers in season, but are also one of the best spots in DC for gadwall. All the other puddle ducks drop in occasionally. Great blue herons can occur here in large numbers during fish migration in spring.

Mississippi kite nested nearby in Virginia a few years ago and were sometimes seen here. 

See 'Tips for Birding' section.

C&O Canal Towpath Trail - This is 48.0 mile point-to-point trail that runs perpendicular to the Chain Bridge. It is not a part of the birding hotspot but may be a method in which some birders arrive/depart.