Photo: Northern Cardinal, Sarah Zareva/Audubon Photography Awards

When: Saturday, June 29, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Occoquan Bay NWR Visitor Center, 14050 Dawson Beach Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Fee: FREE

This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay NWR. Our goal is to engage residents of Woodbridge to get to know the refuge.

Join us for a summer morning “big sit” near the Visitor’s Information Center at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Both new and experienced birders are welcome, particularly those who may prefer to sit down while experiencing nature! Your birding guide is Robin Duska, an avid birder and experienced bird walk leader.

During the “big sit,” we will stay in one place to do some “slow birding” by concentrating on what birds we can see and hear. This will also be an opportunity for you to do nature journaling or sketching.

Visitor’s Center personnel will direct you to the area where we’ll sit starting at 8:00 AM. The Refuge will provide chairs but you are welcome to bring your own. If you have binoculars, please bring them with you. We’ll sit, watch, and listen until 11:00 AM.

Here is a video about nature journaling, and here is a link to some information on “slow birding.” To see what has been observed here, take a look at eBird’s “hotspot” listing for Occoquan Bay NWR. Registration for this event is recommended but not required. If you register, you will receive an email notification if the event needs to be canceled or postponed due to weather.

We will be documenting the birds we see in eBird, and the leader will share the eBird list with you after the event. If you don’t already have an eBird account, you can sign up for a free one here: ebird.org/home

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.