
Sign up your team for Birdathon by April 14
As we all celebrate the return of the Spring Warblers, let’s reflect on how much joy birds bring us, and come together to protect them. Help us raise funds by creating a team, or donating to one! Thank you for your support.
Photo: Black-throated Blue Warbler, Matt Felperin

Good News at the I95 Landfill to Help Offset Some Bad News
Despite overall continued loss of grassland birds, progress has been made at the I95 Landfill to protect these fragile species.
Photo: Bobolink, Gerald Sneegas/Audubon Photography Awards

Beyond the Spray
Conventional mosquito spraying is jeopardizing efforts to create thriving wildlife habitats. There are more effective alternatives that protect both people and pollinators.
Photo: Ebony Jewelwing, Judy Gallagher

Bird Flu: An Update for Bird Watchers
Some tips and information for navigating the Bird Flu situation
Photo: Northern Shovelers, Steve Jessmore/Audubon Phtography Awards

The Prairie Warbler
Learn about this migratory beauty that breeds in northern Virginia and the challenges it faces.
Photo: Prairie Warbler, Matt Felperin

Early Spring Blooms for the Garden
Our woodlands and meadows are about to awaken and burst into a vibrant display of spring ephemerals, the transient native beauties we love to see, especially after the cold and snowy days of winter.
Photo: Spring Beauty, Margaret Fisher

Join Us for a Class or Workshop
We have some great events coming up, both in person and online.
Photo: Eastern Towhee, Calli Cook/Audubon Photography Awards
Conserving and Enjoying Nature
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance is a chapter of the National Audubon Society.
Our mission is to engage all Northern Virginia communities in enjoying, conserving, and restoring nature for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. We advance our mission through educational programs, citizen science, conservation initiatives, and advocacy initiatives. We envision a world where people, wildlife, and their habitats thrive.

Letter to Our Members
As spring transforms our northern Virginia landscape, millions of birds take to the skies in one of nature's most spectacular phenomena. This annual migration brings both opportunities for celebration through events like birdathons and responsibilities for ensuring that these travelers reach their destinations safely.
Photo: Blackburnian Warbler, Kat Bradley Bennett/Audubon Photography Awards
News
The latest stories from NVBA. Looking for a particular topic? Try searching our site. We have hundreds of articles full of great information about everything from birds to advocacy to native plants.
First, the bad news: The U.S North American Bird Conservation Initiative just released its State of the Birds 2025 report, and the birds with the most dire losses continue to be grassland birds, a 43% decline since 1970.
Avian influenza has been around for centuries in many strains, but the strain making the news as bird flu is a “highly pathogenic avian influenza,” caused by the H5N1 virus. It’s being found in both wild birds and domestic fowl and, less commonly, in mammals, even humans.
The spring migration for birds is happening NOW - from March 15 through May 31 our feathered friends are making their long journeys north. It is estimated that over 100 million birds fly over northern Virginia in the spring. Migration usually occurs at night, and many birds use the stars to navigate.
There are more than 50 species to see and hear at this time of year. Most migrants pass through, but the Prairie Warbler, Setophaga discolor, breeds in northern Virginia.
NVBA is pleased to announce that Deborah Hammer is the 2025 winner of our scholarship to attend "Sharing Nature: An Educator's Week" at Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine this coming August.
Our woodlands and meadows are about to awaken and burst into a vibrant display of spring ephemerals, the transient native beauties we love to see, especially after the cold and snowy days of winter.
Judy Gallagher is an NVBA board member and a regular surveyor of local wildlife who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species.
A recent presentation highlighted how conventional mosquito spraying is jeopardizing efforts to create thriving wildlife habitats and offered effective alternatives that protect both people and pollinators.
Our new feature, the Weekly Bird Word, introduces a new bird-related vocabulary word each week.
Did you know that until the mid-19th century the Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) was called the American Swift?
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned sine die on February 22. It is scheduled to reconvene April 2 to address actions the governor may take on legislation sent to him.
Find more stories on our News page.
Upcoming Classes and Events
We have resumed some in-person bird walks and are holding our classes and events both in person and online. You can also watch recordings of past virtual events on our Online Programs page.