Photo: Phil Silas leading a bird walk, Tina Dudley

This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay NWR. Our goal is to engage residents of Woodbridge to get to know the refuge.

Join a brief indoor presentation and planning meeting about birding and using eBird to predict what birds we can expect to observe. We'll then walk about 2.5 miles round trip to Deephole Point, tally our observations, and compare to our predictions. This presentation and walk will be especially helpful for novices not yet in the practice of using eBird. Bring binoculars if you have them. Walk limited to 15 participants.

Phil Silas is an excellent birder and experienced bird walk leader who frequently leads walks for the Northern Virginia Bird Club. Phil is also our volunteer compiler for the Christmas Bird Count.

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in June 1998 to provide habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. The refuge's diverse grassland, marsh and forest habitats attract a variety songbirds, raptors and waterfowl that depend on the area for food, nesting sites, and a place to rest.