President's Corner

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hannah Meddaugh/Audubon Photography Awards

Hope is winning out, even as I hear chainsaws and backhoes signal the demolition of yet another neighborhood house and all of its majestic oaks. I block out those sounds of destruction by recalling four hopeful ASNV sessions from the past few weeks.

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Echelon un vistas a nuestra nuevo sitio web en español (Take a Look at Our New Spanish Language Pages)

Pájaro Azul Oriental, Danny Brown/Premio de Fotografía Audubon  (Eastern Bluebirds, Danny Brown/Audubon Photography Awards)

Christmas Bird Count

Winter Wren, Therese Scheller/Audubon Photography Awards

Upcoming Classes and Events

Join us for an author event and learn about the man behind the ground-breaking, 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It’s one of the country’s first and most important conservation laws and has saved billions of birds.

Will McLean Greeley will provide an overview of his new biography, A Connecticut Yankee Goes to Washington: Senator George P. McLean, Birdman of the Senate. This is the story of how Connecticut’s George P. McLean helped establish lasting legal protections for birds that are still in effect today. Greeley, McLean’s great-great-nephew, puts McLean’s victory for birds in the context of his distinguished forty-five-year career marked by many acts of reform during a time of widespread corruption and political instability. 

When: Thursday, November 2, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Fee: Members, $10; Non-members, $15

Join us for a talk by Sue Burke, author of Semiosis - a book about sentient plants on a distant planet - as she explains why she hoped to make her readers afraid of their gardens and afraid for plants in general. Sue will speak on how “plant blindness” affects our environment and what can be done to be more aware of the foundation of our ecosystems. Plants, like birds, connect us to the Earth.

Sue Burke is an American writer and translator. She has written the science fiction novel Semiosis (2018), its sequel, Interference (2019), and another unrelated book called Immunity Index (2021). Semiosis attracted favorable attention and acclaim and appeared on numerous lists of the best books of 2018. Sue Burke spent many years working as a reporter and editor for a variety of newspapers and magazines. She is a Clarion workshop alumnus, and she has published more than 30 short stories.

When: Thursday, November 9, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Members: $10
Non-members: $15

Join us for a walk through Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge to learn how to identify common native trees and how you can be a good park neighbor by planting your own native trees at home. You’ll also learn why trees are so important, both in parks and the areas surrounding parks.

This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. 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 of songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl that depend on the area for food, nesting sites, and a place to rest.

When: Saturday, November 18, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: Occoquan Bay NWR Visitor Center, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Fee: FREE

Greg Butcher will offer tips about increasing the number and variety of birds that visit your backyard this winter. In addition, he will introduce you to Project FeederWatch, a program of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology that allows you and your family to contribute to science. After the presentation we’ll test your backyard bird identification skills with a Kahoot!

Greg Butcher is a Ph.D. ornithologist and former ASNV board member. Now retired, Greg worked for the U.S. Forest Service, the National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Partners in Flight, Birder’s World magazine, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Greg is a lively and informative public speaker and interpreter for bird conservation and ecology worldwide.

When: Wednesday, November 29, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Fee: FREE, but registration is required

This winter you may notice the Tufted Titmouse on your backyard bird feeder eating and hoarding plenty of sunflower seeds. Let’s celebrate the season and paint a watercolor of this lovely little gray bird. You may even wish to make a few and send them as holiday cards!

Birds are an excellent source of inspiration and a joy to paint. Join this live, online class to paint alongside Ronna Fujisawa, an experienced watercolor painter, art educator, and bird enthusiast.

No prior watercolor experience is necessary for enjoying this tutorial. To prepare for the class, students will use carbon paper and a photo to create outlines of the birds on watercolor paper. During the class, Ronna will take the students step by step through the process of creating bird-themed holiday cards. Students can paint along with Ronna during this live class or work later at their own pace with access to the recording of the online lesson.

When: Thursday, November 30, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Virtual
Members: $20
Non-members: $30

Overuse of pesticides, urban sprawl, habitat destruction, and invasive species all are major threats to birds in the Western Hemisphere. Birds also die from collisions with windows and predation by cats. Join Steve Holmer, Vice-President of Policy for American Bird Conservancy, for a discussion of opportunities to advance bird conservation through advocacy. Steve will highlight pending federal bills and regulations, as well as legislation in Virginia that citizens can support to better protect the birds they love. 

American Bird Conservancy is a national non-profit membership organization with the mission of conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. 

When: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Member ticket: Free, but registration is required

Registration coming soon.

With over 1,900 avian species — more than any other country in the world — Colombia is a birder’s paradise waiting to be discovered. This 9-day program focuses on the country’s northern highlights, including the Caribbean region and the Santa Marta Mountains, famed for their high level of endemic species. Explore high-elevation mountains, dry forest, and coastal habitats in search of an array of tropical avifauna, including flycatchers, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and more. Throughout your journey, meet members of the local community and learn about conservation efforts to use birding as a sustainable development resource.

When: Saturday, January 13, 2024 - Sunday, January 21, 2024 9:00 AM
Where: Colombia
Fee: See registration page through Holbrook Travel for pricing information