These data represent the first ten years of data collection (2007-2016) on avian abundance/density and distribution in the National Capital Region as part of the Inventory and Monitoring Program. Data were collected following the protocol outlined by Dawson and Efford (2006). Point counts were conducted at roughly 384 forest locations annually across 11 National Parks during the breeding seasons from 2007 - 2016. Each site was visited twice per year by alternate trained observers. Species detections were recorded at each location as well as whether the bird was observed within 50m or between 50 & 100m from the observer. In addition, temperature, humidity, and weather conditions were also recorded.

In 2014 the protocol was tested to see if it could be applied for monitoring grassland birds. During the 2014 field season 44 grassland monitoring plots were established at Manassas National Battlefield Park. The protocol was applied at these points and worked well. Since then monitoring was expanded to include grasslands in other parks including Antietam National Battlefield (ANTI) (89 plots), Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (HAFE) (26 plots) and Monocacy National Battlefield (MONO) (68 plots).