Board Notes
Prothonotary Warbler, Kyle Dunbar/Audubon Photography Awards
The next week signals the start of a massive surge of migration into Northern Virginia. Each spring, 3.5 billion birds and 350 species cross the southern border of the United States on their way to nesting grounds in the northern states and Canada.
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A New View of the Landfill
Dickcissel, Russel Smith/Audubon Photography Awards
A landfill can be more than a garbage dump. It can be a place of ecological renewal. The latest example at Fairfax County’s I-95 landfill is a plan to protect some of the landfill’s grassland habitat for ground-nesting birds and other wildlife
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Mary Frase, Star Volunteer!
Mary Frase at work, Bill Browning
Mary Frase, who comes from several generations of family gardeners, tells anyone who asks her about her volunteering, “I grew up playing in the dirt and I still like to play there.” She turned this love into an extraordinary commitment to native habitat.
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It's Time to Get Ready for Birdathon 2024!
Birders, Camila Cerea
Birdathon, ASNV’s annual birding competition and fundraiser, is coming soon.
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Help Your Local Parks!
Virginia Bluebells, Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you haven’t yet taken the time to study the variety of nature in your local park, but you still appreciate it, you may also ask yourself how you, as a park user and community member, can help protect the park’s resources.
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Hog Island Scholarship Winner
Hog Island coastline, Kirk Treakle
ASNV’s Youth Education Committee has selected Jeanne Lukas-Ross of Clearview Elementary School in Herndon as the 2024 recipient of the ASNV scholarship to National Audubon’s Hog Island nature camp in Maine.
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Legislative Update
Virginia State Capitol Building, Wikimedia user Skip Plitt via CC BY-SA 3.0
The 2024 General Assembly session began with high hopes for environmentalists, but the session ended with only modest achievements.
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The Tree Trimming Scammers
Tree victim via Pixabay
We often hear about telephone or online financial scams, but what about the “woodchucks” or tree scammers that arrive at your door? These are seasonal workers, usually untrained, uncertified, and unlicensed. Beware! They come bearing disaster for your trees, as well as your wallets.
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We've Made Your Search Easier!
Osprey, LeRoy VanHee/Audubon Photography Awards
Have you struggled in the past to find that great article we ran about making a mosquito larva trap? Or the Eagle Scout video showing you how to apply bird-safe protection to your home’s windows? We’ve fixed the problem with our new search feature!
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Observations from Meadowood
Six-spotted Fishing Spider, Judy Gallagher
Judy Gallagher is a long-time participant in the Meadowood Recreation Area survey. Here are some of her findings.
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Wildlife Sanctuary Almanac: Violets
Blue Violets, Bernt Fransson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Each month we'll feature timely tips and observations about engaging with nature through the seasons in your own personal wildlife sanctuary.
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Upcoming Classes and Events
We have some exciting classes and events coming up, both virtually and in-person! Click any event to learn more and register. You can also check our calendar for our full schedule of events.
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Nature Journaling and Bird Sketching with Robin Carlson
Nature journals, Robin Carlson
Nature journaling is a terrific tool for understanding the world around you: species, habitats, and all of their rich interconnections. Join Robin Lee Carlson for a discussion of the ways that field sketching has been an integral part of her explorations of the natural world, from understanding the ways that species and habitats respond to wildfire, to piecing together the bigger picture of stream ecosystems.
When: Tuesday, April 2, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Member ticket: $20
Non-member ticket: $30
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Butterfly and Moth Photography Workshop with Judy Gallagher
Public domain photo
Nature is all around us. Join this workshop to learn how to capture beautiful photographs of butterflies and moths. Judy Gallagher, board member and co-author of Butterflies of Northern Virginia, will share her stunning insect photography and offer participants tips and tricks about photographing Lepidoptera for identification or as art.
When: Wednesday, April 10, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Online
Member ticket: $30
Non-member ticket: $40
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Get Ready to Document Life on Earth!
Earth Day, Margaret Fisher
Get ready to participate in City Nature Challenge, a friendly competition between metropolitan areas to see how many observations they can make of the life around them, whether in a wildlife refuge or in their own neighborhood. Visit Occoquan Bay NWR visitor center for a free talk with local naturalist, Margaret Fisher, who will demonstrate how to use the iNaturalist app to participate. This program is part of ASNV’s Stretch Our Parks initiative.
When: Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Fee: FREE, but registration is required
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Audubon Afternoon: Birds of Colombia
Yellow-eared Parrot, Cory Raffel/Audubon Photography Awards
Join us for our quarterly live Audubon Afternoon in Reston, with a presentation by ASNV President Libby Lyons on the birds of Colombia. Libby’s talk starts at 3:00 but we’ll gather informally starting at 2:30 so you have an opportunity to reconnect with everyone. We welcome any food and drink you would like to share with everyone during the informal portion of the program.
When: Sunday, April 14, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: National Wildlife Federation Building, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190
Fee: FREE
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Finding and Identifying Spring Warblers with Matt Felperin
Yellow-throated Warbler, Matt Felperin
Spring warblers are some of the most exciting birds to see, but can be difficult to locate, observe and identify for newer (and even experienced) birders. Join us for a talk on the art of ‘warblering:' you will learn where and when to look, which warblers you are likely to see and their distinctive field marks and behavior to help you find these elusive birds.
When: Thursday, April 16, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Virtual
Member ticket: $25
Non-member ticket: $35
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Birding By Ear with Colt Gregory
Carolina Wren, David Smith/Audubon Photography Awards
Learn about the many benefits of birding by ear, get an introduction to some common songs and calls of local bird, and explore the use of available birding by ear resources and apps. explain the many benefits of birding by ear. This program is intended for beginning birders but may be a helpful refresher for more experienced birders. There is an optional field trip to a location in Great Falls.
When: Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Online
Member ticket: $10
Non-member ticket: $20
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Creating a Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary with Betsy and Barbara
Asclepias tuberose with Fritillaries, Betsy Martin
Do you love native plants? Are you intrigued by observing nature in your own yard? If so, you won’t want to miss this presentation, “Creating a Wildlife Sanctuary,” by the Betsy Martin and Barbara Tuset, Co-Directors of ASNV’s Wildlife Sanctuary program. They’ll help you get started transforming and restoring the native landscape of northern Virginia, one yard at a time.
When: Thursday, April 25, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Online
Member ticket: $5
Non-member ticket: $10
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ASNV Spring Social with Live Animal Guests
Potomac Overlook Regional Park raptor exhibit, NoVa Parks
Come one, come all and help us celebrate the return of Spring at Potomac Overlook Regional Park! Light refreshments will be provided by Wegman’s Reston location, and you’ll get to visit with old friends, make new connections, and visit with live animal guests: Smoke, an Eastern Screech Owl and Sugar, a Corn Snake. NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist Matt Felperin will give a brief presentation on the beautiful and elusive Eastern Screech Owls. We’ll provide information about Birdathon, our Spring fundraiser, and maybe you can make up a team while you’re there! You do not need to be an ASNV member to attend. All are welcome.
When: Saturday, April 6, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: James I. Mayer Center for Environmental Education, Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcy Road, Arlington, VA 22207
Fee: FREE
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Dark Skies: Lights Out for Migratory Birds
Snow Geese, USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Did you know that most birds migrate at night? During spring migration, birds migrating at night are dependent on dark skies to keep their course as they move north to return to nesting grounds. Artificial light at night disorients migrating birds and can lead to devastating effects on flocks. Lights Out campaigns reduce the amount of artificial nighttime light and can help protect migratory birds. ASNV is joining with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy to co-sponsor their in-person dark skies education event. Speakers from ASNV, Loudoun Wildlife, and Dark Sky Friends will discuss the amazing story of bird migration, the importance of dark skies and what Lights Out really means.
When: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: Broadlands Community Center, 43004 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, VA 20148
Fee: FREE, but Registration is required
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Basics of Bird Anatomy with Dr. Kathleen Hunt
Bird Guide Part 2, Chas. K. Reed, Public Domain
In this overview of bird anatomy, Dr. Kathleen Hunt from the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation will explain how a bird's body is put together and how it all works. Dr. Hunt will go over the visible features that are useful for birding identification, and then take a peek inside at some ingenious internal features like the lightweight skeleton and the avian air sac system. By the end of the class you may be envious of the birds’ design!
When: Monday, May 20, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Member ticket: $15
Non-member ticket: $25
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Beginning Birding with Larry Meade
Huntley Meadows boardwalk, Ser Amantio di Nicolao
April is prime time for birding! Birds of all kinds are moving into our region to start nesting. Others are stopping over as a respite before they continue their journey north. In this experiential workshop at Huntley Meadows Park, the pace will be leisurely as we learn how to spot and identify birds
When: Saturday, April 27, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, VA
Members: $20
Non-members: $30
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Aquatic Ecosystems in Northern Virginia with Professor R. Chris Jones
Potomac River, Larry Meade
Learn about northern Virginia’s aquatic ecosystems—the stresses they are subject to, their current status and prospects for improvement.
When: Thursday, April 18, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Member ticket: $15
Non-member ticket: $25
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Bird Walks
Birding, Camila Cerea
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Check this page for upcoming walks! Registration is no longer required for ASNV-sponsored walks.
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Monday Nature Mystery
Osprey nest, Dan Brekke via Flickr
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery and see what this week's mystery holds.
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Conservation Counts
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Rusty Moran
Join Jim Waggener in his ongoing natural resource surveys at two of Northern Virginia's best birding spots. Surveys alternate between Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area on Mason Neck.
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E-Activist Network: Volunteers Needed
The National Audubon Society invites all Auduboners to join its e-activist network. When you subscribe to the Society’s newsletter, you'll receive alerts about important congressional actions and information about how you can affect legislation by contacting your members of Congress. https://www.audubon.org/
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