Did you know you don’t even need binoculars to explore the big world of birds? Often it is faster and easier to identify a bird by its song – if you know how to bird by ear.
Photo: Osprey, Jean Hall/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Saturday, April 19, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Join us for a bird walk at OBNWR! This walk is geared toward beginners, but more experienced birders are welcome.
Meet at the large main parking lot, NOT the Information Center Parking lot. Walk leader is Larry Meade.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
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.
Photo: Osprey, Jean Hall/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Sunday, May 4, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191; meet at the shelter at the edge of the parking lot at the end of Dawson Beach Rd
Join us for a bird walk at OBNWR! This walk is geared toward beginners, but more experienced birders are welcome.
Meet at the shelter at the edge of the parking lot at the end of Dawson Beach Rd. Walk leader is Phil Silas.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
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.
Photo: Prairie Warbler, Darla J. Oathout/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Saturday, April 12, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: Turquoise Trail
Join us for a bird walk along the Turquoise Trail in Reston. We'll enter it from the west from Soapstone Drive. Please park along Soapstone Drive near the wide pedestrian crossing south of Glade Drive before Lawyers Road. The crossing is near a large sign on the east side of the road pointing toward Glade Drive to Walker Nature Center.
Walk leader will be Robin Duska.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Photo: Mallard ducks, Morey Morrison
When: Saturday, March 22, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Where: Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, Alexandria, VA
Join us for a bird walk at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve!
NVBA Chapter Bird Outings are hosted monthly with the help of local birding experts that volunteer to guide participants along a traditional bird walk. This month attendees will follow, John Colpoys, an avid birder and experienced bird walk leader with NVBA for a waterfowl oriented bird walk through Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve.
During the outing, the leader will be documenting the birds observed via eBird. After the walk, attendees may request that the leader share the eBird list with them.
If you don't have an eBird account already but would like to get started before this event, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Registration for this event is not required but does help our team best prepare for your birding experience with us, we hope to see you there!
Any questions or concerns prior to this event can be sent to Tina at tina@nvbirdalliance.org.
We hope to see you at Dyke Marsh!
No registration is required, but is helpful for planning. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Photo: Hooded Merganser, Pamela Underhill-Karaz/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Sunday, February 9, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA; meet in the parking area.
Welcome to a winter bird walk with Nextgen Birders for Conservation, hosted by Luke High. We will embark upon a 2 hour walk through the park, which runs alongside the Potomac River and will hopefully be home to many waterfowl and the resident eagles in the area.
Please visit this link for more information and registration.
THIS WALK HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. WE WILL RESCHEDULE SOON!
Photo © Todd Kiraly
When: Thursday, November 7, 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Dr, Sterling, VA 20165
Join us for a bird walk at Algonkian Regional Park!
Directions for meeting the group:
From I-495, take Rt. 7 west 11 miles to Cascades Parkway north, and drive 3 miles to the park entrance, proceed on Fairway Drive turning left onto Volcano Island Drive, then turn right into parking lot. Meet at the parking lot beside restrooms and Park Shelter 1. 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling, VA 20165 (N39 03.687 W77 23.158) Link to: Algonkian Regional Park
Your birding guide is Elton Morel. Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Photo: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Lynn Starner/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Saturday, November 2, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington, VA 22207
Join us for a bird walk at Potomac Overlook Regional Park!
Directions for meeting the group:
Meet at the main picnic shelter.
Your birding guide is John Colpoys. Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
To celebrate Birdability Week and highlight accessible birding opportunities, we invite you to join us for a special Birdability Bird Walk on Sunday, October 27th.
Photo: Osprey, Jean Hall/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Saturday, October 26, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Join us for a bird walk at OBNWR! This walk is geared toward beginners, but more experienced birders are welcome.
Meet at the Visitor Information Center. Walk leader is Larry Meade.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
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.
Photo: Downy Woodpecker, Nick Shearman/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Thursday, October 17, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Meadowood Lower Potomac Field Station, 10406 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VA 22079
Join us for a bird walk in Lorton!
Your birding guide is Andreas Seiter. Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Photo: White-breasted Nuthatch, Doug Dearinger/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Saturday, October 5, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 24th St. N, Arlington, VA 22207; meet in the parking area.
Join us for a bird walk at Fort C.F. Smith Park! This walk is geared toward beginners, but more experienced birders are welcome.
Meet in the parking area. Walk leader is Carol Mullen.
Trail info: A mile and a half, slight hill, partly paved, wide trail
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
NOTE: We are looking for a volunteer to bring loaner binoculars to this walk from the Reston office. Interested volunteers, please contact Tina.
Photo: White-breasted Nuthatch, Doug Dearinger/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Sunday, September 29, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Upton Hill Regional Park, 6060 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22205
Join us for a bird walk at Upton Hill Regional Park!
When you arrive at the park, turn left into the parking lot and meet on the grass next to the bird feeder at the very end of the parking lot.
Trails in the woods are not paved and run up and down a gentle hillside, with some steps along the path.
Your birding guide is John Colpoys, an avid birder and experienced bird walk leader.
Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the ebird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Photo: Golden-crowned Kinglet, female, Sandra Rothenberg/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Saturday, September 7, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA 22066; see below for meetup location.
Join us for a bird walk at Riverbend Park! Walk leader is Colt Gregory and support lead is Kristine Lansing.
***Note - there is no google address for the nature center. Please follow the directions below or you may end up at the Visitor Center.****
Directions to Riverbend for Conn Meadows area, Nature Center parking area Meet up Location:
From the intersection of Georgetown Pike (Route 193) and Old Dominion Drive (Rt 738), take Georgetown Pike west about 0.25 miles to the traffic light at Riverbend Road. Turn right onto Riverbend Rd. Proceed about 2 mi. to the sharply angled intersection with Jeffery Rd. Turn right onto Jeffery Rd. and continue 0.8 mi. to the main Riverbend Park entrance sign on the right. DO NOT turn into the main park; rather, continue straight on Jeffery Rd. past the park entrance sign. At the first sharp bend in the road, take a right. Continue along this one-lane road until you reach a "T" intersection of sorts, then hang a left. See map below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Restroom facilities are not available at this meetup location. Riverbend Park's Visitors Center, however, does offer clean restrooms. Simply hang a detour at the main Riverbend Park entrance sign, building an extra 10 minutes into your commute.
Address for main entrance to Riverbend Park: 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls, VA 22066. Note: This is NOT the meet-up location.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
Photo: Osprey, Jean Hall/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Wednesday, September 4, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Join us for a bird walk at OBNWR! This walk is geared toward beginners, but more experienced birders are welcome.
Meet at the Visitor Information Center. Walk leader is Andreas Seiter.
No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.
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.
Photo: Eastern Towhee, Larry Meade
Join us for a summer morning walk around Bright Pond! We will bird in a field by the dam, in woodland, and around the pond. To see what has been observed here previously, take a look at the Bright Pond eBird hotspot page.
This walk is open to birders of all experience levels--beginners are very welcome. Your birding guides are experienced local birders Robin Duska and Jeff Tessein, who both also lead walks for Reston Association. Robin helps lead the weekly Sunday walk at Great Falls National Park and conducts Friday morning walks at Riverbend from spring to autumn; as a volunteer, she also helps scientists manage the Bird Division's collection at the National Museum of Natural History.
Meet at the cul-de-sac shown on the right side of the photo below--it's at the end of Bright Pond Lane, which is off Reston Parkway.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration is recommended but not required. Registrants will get a reminder about the walk and will be notified via email if the walk is canceled.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Photo: Belted Kingfisher, Bob Feldman/Audubon Photography Awards
This bird walk is part of ASNV’s Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation.
Morning is a great time for a bird walk through Four Mile Run Park! To see what birds have been observed here previously, take a look at the Four Mile Run Park eBird hotspot page.
Newer birders as well as veteran birders are welcome to join this walk.
Carol Mullen, your birding guide, is a long-time birder and, thanks to the iNaturalist app, is learning to ID plants, insects and fungi, too. Her favorite bird in the American Dipper, or Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, or maybe the Belted Kingfisher.
Trails in the park are flat, paved, and accessible.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration for this event is recommended but not required. If you register, you will receive an email notification if the walk needs to be canceled or postponed due to weather or trail conditions.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird, and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Photo: White-breasted Nuthatch, Doug Dearinger/Audubon Photography Awards
This program is part of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia's Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with Upton Hill Regional Park.
When you arrive at the park, turn left into the parking lot and meet on the grass next to the bird feeder at the very end of the parking lot.
Trails in the woods are not paved and run up and down a gentle hillside, with some steps along the path.
Your birding guide is Ron Grimes, a Virginia Master Naturalist, experienced bird walk leader, and member of the Board of Directors of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia.
Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
Registration is recommended but not required. Registrants will get a reminder about the walk and will be notified via email if the walk is canceled.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Photo: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Jordan West/Audubon Photography Awards
Join us for a summer morning walk around Potomac Overlook Park! Newer and seasoned birders welcome. Your birding guide is John Colpoys, an avid birder and experienced bird walk leader.
Trails in the woods are not paved and run up and down the hillside, with one or two steeper spots. To see what has been observed here previously, take a look at the Potomac Overlook Regional Park eBird hotspot page.
We will meet at the sheltered area next to the parking lot and playground.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration for this event is recommended but not required. If you register, you will receive an email notification if the walk needs to be canceled or postponed due to weather or trail conditions.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird, and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Visit our Bird Walks page for more ASNV bird walks
Photo: Ring-necked Duck, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, John Steller/Audubon Photography Awards
This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay NWR.
Join us for a morning bird walk on the trails of the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
Your birding guide is Larry Meade, President of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and a member of the ASNV Adult Education Committee.
Meet at the Visitor Information Center, NOT the Central Parking Lot. After you enter the refuge, turn right at the sign for the Information Center.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
This walk is FREE, but registration is required.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the ebird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
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.
Photo © Todd Kiraly
This bird walk is part of ASNV’s Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation.
Afternoon is a great time for a bird walk through Four Mile Run Park! To see what birds have been observed here previously, take a look at the Four Mile Run Park eBird hotspot page.
Newer birders as well as veteran birders are welcome to join this walk.
Carol Mullen, your birding guide , is a long-time birder and, thanks to the iNaturalist app, is learning to ID plants, insects and fungi, too. Her favorite bird in the American Dipper, or Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, or maybe the Belted Kingfisher.
Trails in the park are flat, paved, and accessible.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration for this event is recommended but not required. If you register, you will receive an email notification if the walk needs to be canceled or postponed due to weather or trail conditions.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird, and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Photo: Occoquan Bay NWR, Tina Dudley
This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay NWR.
Join us for a family-friendly afternoon bird walk on the trails of the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Your birding guide is Andreas Seiter, an experienced local birder, member of the Board of Directors of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, member of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and Virginia Society of Ornithology.
Meet at the Visitor Information Center, not the Central Parking Lot. After you enter the refuge, turn right at the sign for the Information Center.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration is recommended but not required. Registrants will get a reminder about the walk and will be notified via email if the walk is canceled.
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.
The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and Mason Neck State Park are pleased to offer two bird walks as park of Mason Neck State Park’s 26th annual Eagle Festival. The walks, with an experienced leader from ASNV begin at 8:00 am and 9:00 am (this walk). Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
Early May is the heart of the spring migration season, so we'll be looking for warblers and other migrating songbirds as well as eagles and other raptors.
We'll leave from the entrance to the Bayview Trail, near the restrooms at the picnic area.
The walk is limited to 15 participants so everyone will have a good chance to see the birds.
The walk will begin at the designated start time, so please arrive on time.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and Mason Neck State Park are pleased to offer two bird walks as park of Mason Neck State Park’s 26th annual Eagle Festival. The walks, with an experienced leader from ASNV, begin at 8:00 am (this walk) and 9:00 am. Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
Early May is the heart of the spring migration season, so we'll be looking for warblers and other migrating songbirds as well as eagles and other raptors.
We'll leave from the entrance to the Bayview Trail, near the restrooms at the picnic area.
The walk is limited to 15 participants so everyone will have a good chance to see the birds.
The walk will begin at the designated start time, so please arrive on time.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Photo © Todd Kiraly
This bird walk is part of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia's Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation.
This afternoon bird walk is open for everyone, beginners and families are welcome. Trails in the park are flat and paved, accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Park in the lot behind Mom's Organic Market - access from Bruce Street. Meet us at the playground behind the basketball court.
Your birding guide is Andreas Seiter, an experienced local birder, member of the Board of Directors of the Audubon Society of Nothern Virginia, and member of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and Virginia Society of Ornithology.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration for this event is recommended but not required.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the ebird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Join a brief indoor presentation and planning meeting about birding and using eBird to predict what birds we can expect to observe.
April is prime time for birding! In this experiential workshop at Huntley Meadows Park, the pace will be leisurely as we learn how to spot and identify birds.
Love native plants and wildlife? You won’t want to miss this presentation, “Creating a Wildlife Sanctuary,” by Betsy Martin and Barbara Tuset, Co-Directors of ASNV’s Wildlife Sanctuary program.
Did you know you don’t even need binoculars to explore the big world of birds? Often it is faster and easier to identify a bird by its song – if you know how to bird by ear.
Photo: Hooded Merganser, Kathy Baca/Audubon Photography Awards
The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and Mason Neck State Park are pleased to offer an April bird walk in Mason Neck State Park! This bird walk will be a loop of the Bayview Trail. This easy, 1 mi path is packed dirt and mostly flat with some stairs near the wetlands and beach.
We will meet up across from the children's playground. Follow signs for the Visitor's Center, then bear left when you see the brightly colored playground.
Newer and seasoned birders welcome.
Please note a parking fee ($10) or annual pass is required to enter the park.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration is recommended but not required. Registrants will get a reminder about the walk and will be notified via email if the walk is cancelled.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the ebird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
Photo: Osprey, Jean Hall/Audubon Photography Awards
This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay NWR.
Join us for a morning bird walk on the trails of the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Your birding guide is Evan Pannkuk, an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University who specializes in wildlife diseases and is also an avid birder
Meet at the Visitor Information Center.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration is FREE but required.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the ebird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
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.
Photo: Hooded Merganser, Kathy Baca/Audubon Photography Awards
The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and Mason Neck State Park are pleased to offer a March bird walk in Mason Neck State Park!
We will meet on the grass near the playground. When you arrive at the park, drive towards the visitor center, and then follow signs for the picnic area (if you’re right next to the visitor center, you’ve gone too far).
Trails in the woods are not paved and run up and down the hillside. There are occasionally roots and downed trees along the path, plus short steep grades, a number of which have built-in stairs into the terrain.
Your birding guide is John Colpoys, an avid birder and experienced bird walk leader.
Please note a parking fee ($10) or annual pass is required to enter the park.
If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.
Registration is recommended but not required. Registrants will get a reminder about the walk and will be notified via email if the walk is cancelled.
We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird and the leader will share the ebird list with you after the walk. If you don't already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home
