Rappahannock River and Northern Neck

If you missed the weekend Northern Neck trip, here’s a second chance to see many of the same birds.   Sean Duffy knows the good places to visit for eagles and other raptors, waterfowl, rusty blackbirds and red-headed woodpeckers, and maybe an end-of-the-day search for short-eared owls.

Fee $20.  Reservations required.  Maximum 12 people/4-5 cars. For details and to register, email Sean at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  After you have registered, send your check for $20, payable to ASNV, to ASNV, 11100 Wildlife Drive, Reston, VA 20190.

Saturday,
February 4, All day

Reston Lakes

Kevin Munroe leads this outing every winter and almost every year surprising things turn up on Reston’s lakes

Getting there: Meet at the Lake Audubon boat ramp on Twin Branches Rd., near the intersection with Glade Drive.  If the birding is good, the time and number of sites may be extended, but participants should feel free to leave when they wish.

Riverbend Park

We’re happy to welcome Jenny Vick as a new leader for ASNV.  We will walk along the river, upstream and down, checking for wintering waterfowl and keeping an eye out for winter birds in the woods.

Getting there: From Rt. 193 east of the village of Great Falls, take Riverbend Rd. to Jeffery Rd. and turn into the main entrance to the park.  Meet at the boat ramp.

Beginning Birding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Gardens are a great place to begin watching birds. Join Meadowlark staff and explore the Gardens’ many habitats and feeding stations. From forest hollows to meadows and lake shores, habitats abound for winter resident birds.  Then, we’ll retire to the Visitor Center fire place to discuss our sightings, look for birds at the feeder, and enjoy some regreshments..

Sunday,
February 19,
2 PM – 4:00 PM

Lake Fairfax

Meet Bill Brown in the parking lot by the visitor center and explore the varied habitats in the park and around the lake.

Getting there: From Rt. 7 west, turn left on Baron Cameron Ave., then left on Lake Fairfax Dr. and proceed to the park entrance.

Eagle and Snipe Watch at Pohick Bay Regional Park!

The marshes at Pohick Bay offer a marvelous opportunity for beginning birders to find birds well-known but rare (like eagles) and little known but common (like snipe!).  Enjoy a walk through the woods to a magical bluff overlooking the marsh and sightings of these and other water birds.  Hot chocolate tops the experience!

Location: Meet at the parking lot for mini golf at Pohick bay Regional Park.  Visit http://nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay/content/hours_and_directions for directions. (A Northern Virginia Regional Park)

RSVP: 703-528-5406 (Potomac Overlook Reg. Park) or e-mail

Sunday,
March 4,
2 PM – 4:00 PM

Monticello Park – a Tiny, but Spectacular Gem for Migrant Birds!

Monticello Park is a small park in a residential area of Alexandria, but is rated as one of the best bird-watching spots in the country!!  On a high ridge, it attracts a great many warblers and other migrants during the spring. Come for a rare treat – springtime warblers abound; even watch them bathing in the creek!

Location: on Beverly Road, off of Russell Road in Alexandria.

Saturday,
April 28.
10 AM – 12 noon

Wetland Boardwalk Birding at Huntley Meadows

Join Park Manager, Kevin Munroe and other birders who will help you get a glimpse into the wonderful diversity of birds and other wildlife in the 50 acre marshland at Huntley Meadows.  The group will enjoy expert guidance and the use of spotting scopes set up for close-up viewing off the ½ mile wetland boardwalk and the two story observation tower.

Location: Huntley Meadows Park 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria.  (A Fairfax County Park Authority Park).

RSVP: Kevin Munroe, 703-768-2525 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday,
May 5,
8AM – 10 AM

Birdwatching & Morning Coffee at Fort C.F. Smith

For many folks, especially bird watchers, that first cup of coffee in the morning helps to jumpstart the day. And if that cup of coffee is from shade-grown coffee plantations, it benefits many of the birds we find nesting in Northern Virginia.  Join us at Fort C.F. Smith Park in Arlington for a cup of shade grown coffee and then a bird walk in search of  nesting birds such as Baltimore and orchard orioles, indigo buntings, wood thrush and ovenbirds who winter in shade-grown coffee plantations.

Location: Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th Street, Arlington, VA 22207.  Visit http://www.fortcfsmith.com/ for directions.  (An Arlington County Park).

RSVP: David Farner, Park Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 703-243-4342

Sunday,
June 2. 
8 AM

Occoquan & Meadowood Wildlife Surveys

Details Here

Monthly Scheduled Wednesday mornings

Jim Waggener