logo
Animals and Pets, Climate Action and Sustainability

Bird City Maryland Initiative

A black bird with a red and yellow patch on its wing perches on a piece of wood against a blurred brown background.
Red-winged Blackbird
A great horned owl with yellow eyes is perched among dense green pine branches, facing forward and blending into its surroundings.
Great Horned Owl
A great blue heron stands among tall grass near the edge of a calm body of water, with blurred branches and reflections in the background.
Great Blue Heron
A small black-capped chickadee perches on a thin, bare branch with blurred branches and leaves in the background.
Chickadee
A Cedar Waxwing bird with brown, yellow, and gray feathers perches on a thin branch against a blurred green background.
Cedar Waxwing
A bright red cardinal perches on a pine tree branch surrounded by green needles.
Northern Cardinal
A bluebird with vibrant blue and orange feathers perches on a branch, facing left with its beak open against a blurred background.
Bluebird
Two barred owls perch closely together on a tree branch, surrounded by bare branches on a cloudy day.
Barred Owl
A brightly colored orange and black bird is perched on a tree branch with a blurred green background.
Baltimore Oriole

Rockville is proud to support the Bird City Maryland Initiative and is committed to protecting and restoring bird habitat, educating and engaging residents in bird issues and solutions, and creating a healthier environment for wildlife and residents alike.

Five Easy Ways to Help Birds

You don’t need a large yard or a lot of time to help birds. Small changes can provide food, shelter, and safe places for birds to live and raise their young. Start with one or two simple changes and build from there.

1

Make windows safe.

Reflections in windows can look like habitat to birds, causing them to fly into the glass. Add exterior screens or window decals. Patterns should be spaced about 2 inches apart.

2

Plant native.

Native plants provide birds with food, shelter, and places to nest. Plant a native tree or shrub, or replace a patch of lawn with native flowers or grasses. You may even qualify for a city rebate.

3

Keep cats indoors.

Free-roaming cats are estimated to kill more than 2.4 billion birds annually in the U.S. and Canada. Keep cats indoors, and consider giving them outdoor time in a “catio” or on a leash.

4

Go pesticide-free.

Most synthetic pesticides are prohibited on lawns in Rockville. Use organic lawn care practices and avoid pesticides whenever possible to protect birds and the insects they rely on for food.

5

Prevent plastic litter.

Plastic litter can harm birds when they ingest it or become tangled in it. Choose reusable bags, containers, bottles, and utensils whenever possible, and keep plastic waste out of yards, parks, and waterways.

Learn more and find additional ways to help by exploring the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds.

Bird-Friendly Projects and Programs

Croydon Creek Nature Center serves as Rockville’s central hub for bird education, outings, and programs for all ages.

Single-story stone building with large windows and a peaked roof, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence, under a clear blue sky.

Croydon Creek Nature Center
A red brick path curves through a garden with informational signs on the left and various plants on both sides, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Community and Backyard Wildlife Habitat
A paved path runs through a wooded area where young trees are planted in protective tubes; a sign is posted on the left side of the image.

RedGate Park and Arboretum Master Plan
Several hands are cupped together holding soil and a small green seedling, with grass visible in the background.

Climate Action Plan
A colorful mural of large birds, including herons and parrots, painted on the exterior brick wall of a pavilion in a park setting.

Flight of Fancy Mural at College Gardens Park

Birding Hotspots in Rockville

A wooded trailhead with a signpost, a map board under a shelter, and a large rock surrounded by leafy trees.

Croydon Creek Nature Center / John G. Hayes Forest Preserve
A paved path runs through a grassy park with scattered trees, leading to a small pond under a partly cloudy sky.

RedGate Park and Arboretum
A narrow creek winds through a forest with tall trees and fallen autumn leaves covering the ground.

Upper Watts Branch Park
A tree stands in front of a small pond covered with green algae, surrounded by dense greenery and trees under a blue sky.

Watkins Pond / King Farm Stream Valley Park

Helpful Bird Resources

linkBird City Maryland linkMontgomery Bird Club linkBirding in Montgomery Parks linkCornell Lab eBird

Jump To

Contact

Public Works Department
Environmental Management Division
240-314-8870
environment@rockvillemd.gov

Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Address
Taft Center
6 Taft Court
Rockville, MD 20850