Photo: Blackburnian Warbler, Kat Bradley Bennett/Audubon Photography Awards
Amanda Robinson, Executive Director
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.
Join Our 2025 Birdathon: April 19 - May 18
NVBA’s annual Birdathon invites birders of all experience levels to participate in a fundraising event that allows them to get outside and have fun. Birdathon teams make a plan for visiting birding hotspots in northern Virginia during any 24-hour period between April 19 and May 18. They then record the species they identify on eBird. Last year's winning team spotted an impressive 127 species in just one day! A team can have up to five members, or you can bird solo. All experience levels are welcome, so register your team today.
If you prefer a more sedate Birdathon challenge, we have a special Birdathon variation, the “Backyard Bounty” challenge. You can participate from your own backyard, identifying as many species as you can in 24-hour period on a single residential property. It's a great way to improve accessibility as well as get children and grandparents involved!
How does the fundraising work? As with a walk-a-thon, participants collect pledges from friends and family via their team page on our website. Your participation helps NVBA support outdoor education, citizen science, habitat conservation, and programs encouraging people to plant native plants and protect native wildlife. By reporting your sightings through eBird, you're also contributing valuable data to help ornithologists better understand spring migration patterns.
Support Conservation to Help Migrating Birds
Spring events like Birdathon that take place during migration remind us that habitat conservation is a critical element to protecting birds. When planning a big day route for Birdathon, teams focus on sites they have learned are suitable places for birds to rest, feed, and breed. Without them, even our most resilient bird species cannot survive. Northern Virginia's unique position along the Atlantic Flyway makes our local forests, wetlands, and meadows critically important stopover sites for countless migratory species.
Each preserved natural area—whether a sprawling wildlife refuge, a neighborhood park, or even a single wildlife sanctuary backyard—provides essential resources for tired travelers. These spaces aren't just important for birds; they're where we as birders and nature enthusiasts experience the joy of discovery and connection. Every acre protected ensures future generations will have opportunities to witness the magic of spring migration firsthand. That’s part of the magic of NVBA’s programs – you can get involved both in your own backyard and in local parks. There’s room for everyone! When we safeguard bird habitats, we're not just preserving places for birds—we're preserving places for people to see birds and forge meaningful connections with the natural world.