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.

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.

Advance registration is required to attend this event! You must show your ticket (print or digital version) to be admitted into the park.

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

VISIT OUR BIRD WALKS PAGE FOR MORE ASNV BIRD WALKS

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.

Advance registration is required to attend this event! You must show your ticket (print or digital version) to be admitted into the park.

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

VISIT OUR BIRD WALKS PAGE FOR MORE ASNV BIRD WALKS

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: Hooded Merganser, Kathy Baca/Audubon Photography Awards

This walk was originally scheduled for March 23 and was postponed due to rain.

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

Photo: White-throated Sparrow, Dawn Phillips/Audubon Photography Awards

Frying Pan Farm Park is a Fairfax County park that is mainly geared toward recreation, featuring a model farm and equestrian facilities, and hosting seasonal concerts and festivals. But it also boasts open fields, wetlands, mixed woods, a stream, and a nature trail winding through all these different habitats. The nature trail passes through mixed woods in the north and northwest sections of the park, and meanders by a stream (Frying Pan Branch of Horsepen Run); it is good for woodland birds. The wetland and ponds at the northeast corner (adjacent to Monroe Street) are good for herons, waterfowl and marsh birds. In the southeast and central parts of the park, the farmland and open fields are good for raptors, as well as sparrows and other seed-loving birds.

Your birding guide is Mer Mietzelfeld, an avid birdwatcher since 2008. She held several ornithology field positions in California, South Carolina, Florida, Central America, and the Caribbean before entering the nonprofit space in 2017. Her career is focused on protecting the environment and the birds she loves.

Newer and seasoned birders welcome.

If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.

This walk is also advertised to our Nextgen Birders for Conservation group targeting birders under 45.

From Fairfax County Parkway (Rte 286), go west on West Ox Road (Rte. 608) to the Visitor Center Parking lot at 2739 West Ox Rd.

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

A message from leader Megan Massa (March 9, 7:00am):

I was hoping that the rain would hold off, but it looks like we will have a very wet day. I am not canceling the walk, but if you decide to come please bring appropriate footwear (rain boots and raincoat)! The field is marshy in spots even on a dry day. Anticipate an abbreviated walk that may end early if the weather worsens. 

Photo: American Tree Sparrow, Dori Eldridge/Audubon Photography Awards

Join us on a walk exploring a grassland undergoing ecological restoration. We will learn about the history and management of grasslands in the region, focusing on invasive species removal, logging, and prescribed fire. 

Half of this meadow was burned in early January. We will explore the diversity of species attracted to this regrowing habitat. The highlight at this park is a winter sparrow showcase, featuring Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Eastern Towhee. Keep an eye out for American Tree Sparrow or Fox Sparrow. The neighboring Elklick Preserve also hosts a reliable population of Red-headed Woodpeckers.

Conditions: 1.5-2 miles on uneven terrain in mowed/brush-hogged grass trails with occasional mud. Wear waterproof hiking boots or wellingtons. No onsite facilities.

Location: Sully Woodlands Park. Meet at the park gate along Pleasant Valley Road (38.876964, -77.491723). Park on the road shoulder without blocking the gate.

For more information, visit:
https://birdingvirginia.org/fairfax/hotspots/sully-woodlands
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L552673

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

If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.

Photo: Bald Eagle, Stephanie Orlando/Audubon Photography Awards

The Audubon Society of Northern Virgina and Mason Neck State Park are pleased to offer a bird walk in Mason Neck State Park!

This bird walk is organized in partnership with Team Red, White and Blue, beginners and families are welcome. We will meet at the parking lot in the picnic area of Mason Neck State Park (follow the park road to the visitor center but turn left before you reach the center). We will look for birds near the visitor center, the Belmont Bay overlook and in the adjacent forest. Trails are flat, we will walk less than a mile.

Your birding guides are Andreas Seiter, member of the Board of Directors of the Audubon Society of Nothern Virginia, and Jeff Tessein, an experienced bird walk leader for ASNV and Reston Association.

Meet by the Visitor's Center.

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: Tundra Swan by Walker Golder

The Audubon Society of Northern Virgina and Mason Neck State Park are pleased to offer a winter bird walk in Mason Neck State Park!

Join us for a walk at Mason Neck State Park. We will begin near the visitor center where we will scan the water for waterfowl and Bald Eagles. Several of us will have spotting scopes and will be willing to share them. We will then walk the Bay View Trail to look for sparrows, woodpeckers and other winter residents of the park.

Your birding guides are Larry Meade, President of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and a member of the ASNV Adult Education Committee, and Ruth Lane, an experienced local birder and certified Virginia Master Naturalist.

Meet by the Visitor's Center.

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: https://ebird.org/home

Photo: Golden-crowned Kinglet, female, Sandra Rothenberg/Audubon Photography Awards

Join us for a winter walk in Riverbend Park!

We'll start at Riverbend's Nature Center, walking through woodland to the "Marvelous Tree" overlooking Conn Meadow. After searching for meadow birds, we'll head down the Bootlegger Trail over Witch Hazel Bluff and descend down to the Heritage Trail along the Potomac before returning to the Nature Center via the Hollows Trail. We'll cover about 2.5 miles on these woodland trails and those surrounding the meadow--they usually drain rather quickly after rain. One short part of the descent down to the Heritage Trail is somewhat steep.

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 lead walks for Reston Association. Robin also 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 Nature Center, 8700 Jeffery Road, Great Falls, VA - not the Visitor 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 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: Bald Eagle, Stephanie Orlando/Audubon Photography Awards

The Audubon Society of Northern Virgina and Mason Neck State Park are pleased to offer a fall bird walk in Mason Neck State Park!

Larry Meade will be leading the walk. Larry is president of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and a member of the ASNV Adult Education Committee. He is a frequent bird walk leader and has been involved in numerous Audubon Christmas Bird Counts and North Atlantic Butterfly Association (NABA) counts. He is the compiler of the Alexandria Circle butterfly count for NABA.

Meet by the Visitor's Center.

Please note a parking fee 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: https://ebird.org/home

Photo: Pileated Woodpecker, Sharon Von Eulen/Audubon Photography Awards

Please note a fee or annual membership is required to enter the gardens.

Meet outside the Visitor’s Center.

If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.

Your birding guide is Musa Murawih, a board member of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. Musa has birded throughout the US and abroad in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. 

Photo: Northern Cardinal, Larry Meade

Please note a parking fee ($10) or annual pass is required to enter the State Park. 

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.

This bird walk will be a loop of the Bayview Trail. This easy, 1mi path is packed dirt and mostly flat with some stairs near the wetlands and beach.  

Your birding guide is Ruth Lane, an experienced local birder and certified Virginia Master Naturalist.

Newer and seasoned birders welcome.  

If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.

Photo: White-throated Sparrow, Dawn Phillips/Audubon Photography Awards

Meet outside the Frying Pan Park Visitor Center.

Frying Pan Farm Park is a Fairfax County park that is mainly geared toward recreation, featuring a model farm and equestrian facilities, and hosting seasonal concerts and festivals. But it also boasts open fields, wetlands, mixed woods, a stream, and a nature trail winding through all these different habitats. The nature trail passes through mixed woods in the north and northwest sections of the park, and meanders by a stream (Frying Pan Branch of Horsepen Run); it is good for woodland birds. The wetland and ponds at the northeast corner (adjacent to Monroe Street) are good for herons, waterfowl and marsh birds. In the southeast and central parts of the park, the farmland and open fields are good for raptors, as well as sparrows and other seed-loving birds.

Your birding guide is Mer Mietzelfeld, an avid birdwatcher since 2008. She held several ornithology field positions in California, South Carolina, Florida, Central America, and the Caribbean before entering the nonprofit space in 2017. Her career is focused on protecting the environment and the birds she loves.

Newer and seasoned birders welcome.  

​​If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.

Photo: Eastern Phoebe, Micah Allen/GBBC

Meet at the intersection of Twin Branches Road & Glade Drive

The path is paved with some hills. There is an opportunity for those in sturdier shoes to loop around the wetland via a grassy horse trail before rejoining the paved path.

Your birding guide is Ruth Lane, an experienced local birder and certified Virginia Master Naturalist.

Newer and seasoned birders welcome.  

If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.

Photo: ©Todd Kiraly

This program is part of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia'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 - newer birders as well as veteran birders are welcome to join!

If you have binoculars, please bring them with you.

Trails in the park are flat, paved, and accessible.

Enter at 3700 Commonwealth Avenue where there is plenty of parking, and meet near the closed trail bridge.

Your birding guide is Todd Kiraly. Todd has extensive experience birding in the local hotspots in and around the Potomac River in NOVA. Todd is also a photographer; visit his collection of local wildlife photography posted on his site, www.haussparrow.com

Registration for this event is recommended, but not required.

Photo: Todd Kiraly

Presented by ASNV and the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation

Morning is a great time for a bird walk through Four Mile Run Park! Newer birders as well as veteran birders are welcome to join this walk where you'll observe peak spring migration (if the weather cooperates). Your birding guide is Ruth Lane, an experienced local birder and certified Virginia Master Naturalist.

Trails in the park are flat, paved, and accessible. Loaner binoculars not available for this walk, please bring your own.

Registration for this event is strongly recommended, but not required.

Photo: Todd Kiraly

Presented by ASNV and the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation

This late afternoon bird walk is open for everyone, beginners and families are welcome. We will meet on the trail near the playground, which is adjacent to a parking lot behind a little shopping plaza - access from Bruce Street. On Google Maps, use "Four Mile Run Basketball Court". Trails in the park a flat and paved, accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Your birding guide is Andreas Seiter, an experienced local birder and member of the Northern Virginia Bird Club, Audubon Society of NOVA and the Virginia Society of Ornithology.

Registration is requested but not required.

Photo: Todd Kiraly

Presented by ASNV and the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation

Morning is a great time for a bird walk through Four Mile Run Park - newer birders as well as veteran birders are welcome to join!

Trails in the park are flat, paved, and accessible.

Your birding guide is Todd Kiraly. Todd has extensive experience birding in the local hotspots in and around the Potomac River in NOVA. Todd is also a photographer; visit his collection of local wildlife photography posted on his site, www.haussparrow.com

Registration for this event is strongly recommended, but not required.

Photo: Todd Kiraly

Presented by ASNV and the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation

Morning is a great time for a bird walk through Four Mile Run Park! Newer birders as well as veteran birders are welcome to join this walk where you'll observe peak spring migration (if the weather cooperates). Your guide is Greg Butcher, a Ph.D. ornithologist who has worked for the National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Partners in Flight, Birders World magazine, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Greg also serves as Vice President of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia.

Trails in the park are flat, paved, and accessible.

Registration for this event is strongly recommended, but not required.

Photo: Northern Cardinal, Larry Meade

Leader is Dixie Sommers. Please note a fee is required to enter the State Park. Please dress in layers and bring your binoculars.

Getting there: From I-495, take I-95 South 7 miles to Lorton exit. Go left (east) on Route 642 to Route 1. Go right (south) on Rte. 1 and then left (east) on Gunston Rd, Rte. 242. In 4 miles, turn right into Mason Neck Management Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at end of the paved road. 7301 High Point Road, Lorton, VA 22079-4010.

Photo: Todd Kiraly

Presented by ASNV and the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation

Morning is a great time for a nature walk through Four Mile Run Park - this nature walk is part of the Washington DC Metro Area City Nature Challenge.

Trails in the park are flat, paved, and accessible.

If you'd like to participate in the City Nature Challenge, please be sure you have an iNaturalist account and the app uploaded on your phone before the walk. You can also take pictures with your camera and upload them later to your iNaturalist account on your computer. Your experienced leaders will assist with observations during the walk.

Participation in City Nature Challenge is not required - you can also join the walk to learn more about the birds and plants in Four Mile Run Park.

Registration for this event is strongly recommended, but not required..

Photo: Northern Cardinal, Larry Meade

Leader is Andreas Seiter

Getting there: From I-495, take I-95 South 7 miles to Lorton exit. Go left (east) on Route 642 to Route 1. Go right (south) on Rte. 1 and then left (east) on Gunston Rd, Rte. 242. In 4 miles, turn right into Mason Neck Management Area. Meet at Woodmarsh Trail parking lot, which is the first parking lot on the left side, before you come to the State Park entrance.

Photo: Northern Cardinal, Larry Meade

Leader is Dixie Sommers

Getting there: From I-495, take I-95 South 7 miles to Lorton exit. Go left (east) on Route 642 to Route 1. Go right (south) on Rte. 1 and then left (east) on Gunston Rd, Rte. 242. In 4 miles, turn right into Mason Neck Management Area. Meet at the visitor’s center at end of the paved road. 7301 High Point Road, Lorton, VA 22079-4010.