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…
To view the full PDF, click the newsletter image below. SISKINTheNewsletter of the Northern Virginia Bird ClubVol. 70, No. 4Inside••••••Calendar of NVBC field trips,October 29, 2025 – February 8,2026Winter Chincoteague TripUpcoming Christmas Bird Countsin Northern Virginia2026 Northern Virginia BirdAlliance Winter Waterfowl Survey2025 Treasurer’s ReportBirding in UgandaInsert – 2026 membership renewalnoticeNVBC Board UpdateJoin us in welcoming…
To view the full PDF, click the newsletter image below. SISKINTheNewsletter of the Northern Virginia Bird ClubVol. 70, No. 3Inside•••Calendar of NVBC field tripsAugust 9 – November 1, 2025Spring Chincoteague Trip ReportBirding in ArmeniaNVBC 2025 – 2027Board Officers and DirectorsThe followingofficers anddirectors began their two-year term ofoffice July 1, 2025.President: Larry MeadeVice President, Programs:Vice President,…
To view the full PDF, click the newsletter image below. Vol. 70, No. 2 April 2025 www.nvabc.orgNVBC GENERAL MEETING-THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 8 PMBirding in HawaiiSpeakers: Steve and Anne BielamowiczSteve and Anne Bielamowicz are Northern Virginia residents who picked up binoculars in May 2020 to enjoy nature and became immersed in thiswonderful hobby. They have traveled…
To view the full PDF, click the newsletter image below. Vol. 70, No. 1 February 2025 www.nvabc.orgNVBC GENERAL MEETING-THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 8 PMBirding in Western MexicoSpeaker: Benjamin Hackenjamin Hack, a birder and science journalist based in Arlington, will present on his trip to the west Mexican states of Nayarit and Jalisco.Western Mexico’s wide range of…
Dixie Sommers joined a WINGS Birding Tours trip to Chile in November 2023. The tour ranged from the far south and sea level Tierra del Fuego to the far north and high altitude Atacama Desert. The group counted 258 species ranging from penguins to flamingos to tapaculos and Furnarids(ovenbirds). Chile’s…
