Our group of six gathered at the Mason Neck Visitor Center on a crisp morning that started in the 20s, but with the sun shining and the winds calm, it wasn’t long before we were enjoying a beautiful warm-up into the 50s. We began by scanning Belmont Bay, which remained largely locked in ice. While…
With sand in our eyes and frostbitten fingers, we clung to our binoculars and tallied an impressive 82 species over the weekend at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and around town. Carpooling in seven cars and armed with walkie-talkies, we headed to the beach Friday afternoon, where we were rewarded with a full scoter trifecta, Long-tailed…
In March 2025, long time birders, Lucy and Suleyman Uncu, took their first exclusively “birding trip” with Tropical Birding to the Ecuadorian Andes. Although they had birded for many years both in the US and while living and traveling abroad, overseas adventures had never been specifically focused on birds. This trip was a revelation. For…
To view the full PDF, click the newsletter image below. SISKINTheNewsletter of the Northern Virginia Bird ClubVol. 71, No. 1February 2026www.nvabc.orgInsideNVBC GENERAL MEETING—TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 8 PM•Amazing Andes in Search of Hummingbirds••Calendar of NVBC field trips,February 13 – May 9, 2026A Coastal Virginia AdventureBirding in Sydney, AustraliaA reminder to pay your 2026 duesIf not paid,…
Our group of 15 birders met at Riverbend Regional Park on a damp, gray morning, but the weather had a magical surprise in store for us. As we birded down the trail, a wall of heavy snow flurries moved in over the Potomac, transforming the forest into a quiet winter wonderland. Despite the chill, 38°F…
Our group of about 20 enthusiastic birders headed out for a “Northern Neck X-Trip” this past weekend, greeted by a mostly sunny sky and a crisp 44 degrees—perfect conditions for a winter outing. We began our search at the ponds along Lagrange Lane, where the water was teeming with freshwater waterfowl. While we sifted through…
What a glorious, if frosty, morning we had on Saturday at the Blandy Experimental Farm/State Arboretum of Virginia! Eleven dedicated birders bundled up for our 8:30 AM start, kicking off over three hours of fantastic winter birding. It was a crisp 27degrees with a brilliant, clear blue sky and just enough snow on the ground…
Lincoln’s Sparrows have a way of slipping through the world like a well-kept secret—quiet, beautifully patterned, and happiest in half-shadowed thickets. They’re subtle, and that subtlety is exactly what makes identifying them so rewarding. With the right preparation and a practiced eye, you can turn those brief, brushy glimpses into confident, satisfying IDs. Before you…
Here’s a treasure trove of birdwatching wisdom from our esteemed club members! Decades of experience have been carefully crafted into practical techniques to help you identify and distinguish those tricky bird species from the more common feathered friends you might encounter on your outings. Then go out and use this knowledge on our next weekly…
Six participants wrapped up their morning of birding with a short but rewarding 45-minute stop at the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve boardwalk and canoe launch after spending a couple of hours at nearby Aquia Landing. Under clear skies and temperatures around 40°F, a steady breeze kept the air brisk, but the bright sunshine made…
Our group of six gathered at 8:00 a.m. at Aquia Landing Park for a crisp but beautiful outing under clear skies, with temperatures in the upper 20’s and a light breeze. The sunny conditions made for excellent viewing, starting with a large flock of gulls resting along the far shore and several grebes tucked into…
Bill and Fran Millhouser have enjoyed birdwatching since the mid 1970s when they took a Smithsonian course on birds and local birdwatching. Bill is also an avid bird photographer, and their trips overseas have often combined birdwatching and photography. Over the years they have visited Costa Rica (multiple times), Ecuador, Patagonia, Kenya, Tanzania and South…
