Urban Bird Habitat Garden

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Last October, I posted two photos of a nice hellstrip along the west side (12th Street, N.W.) of the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History.

In mid October of this year I discovered the Urban Bird Habitat Garden, on the other side of the sidewalk. It’s essentially all the grounds of the museum on the north, west, and south sides (the east side is the Smithsonian’s Butterfly Habitat Garden).

The bird habitat was established in July 2012 (one of twelve Smithsonian gardens). Native trees, shrubs, and perennials were especially chosen to create “an oasis” for many of the more than 300 birds species found in Washington, D.C.

Although the garden is very narrow along 12th Street and the Mall, it was full of birdsong during my visit.

You can click on ‘Continue reading’ below to scroll through larger images of the garden. (And you can see the garden in other seasons here.)

Click on any thumbnail in the gallery to scroll through larger images.

An oasis for urban birds.

At 12th St. and Constitution Ave., N.W., the garden separates employee parking from the sidewalk.

Looking toward 12th St. from the parking lot.

The large sculpture in the background, by Todd McGrain, is part of S.I.’s exhibit, “Lost Bird Project.”

A new way of planting for city public buildings?

On 12th St., looking toward the parking lot.

A narrow strip of garden packed with berries and seed heads.

Trees on Constitution Ave. provide food and shelter.

Looking along the 12th St. sidewalk.

The hellstrip along 12th St.

Looking back to Constitution Ave.

Pink muhly grass.

The west side of the Natural History Musuem.

The hellstrip along the other side of 12th St.

The National Mall (south) side of the museum.

Wildflower mix anchored by blocks of native shrubs.