April 25th brought a cool, overcast morning to the Clifton Institute — the kind of gray day that might give a casual visitor pause, but does nothing to dampen the spirits of a dedicated birder. A large group of us gathered for one of the walk series’ most popular outings, guided by two knowledgeable Clifton…
What a morning it was! Under a patchwork of scattered clouds and with that perfect April warmth settling into the low seventies, a wonderful group of fellow birders set out to explore the preserve, and the birds did not disappoint. From the moment we stepped into the meadow, the air was alive with movement. Tree Swallows sliced…
On a perfect morning, we set out under beautiful blue skies for a morning of birding. With temperatures resting in the comfortable 70s and a gentle breeze rolling off the water, the day was off to a fantastic start. We started at Aquia Landing Park, where we were quickly greeted by so many Ospreys circling…
Kestrels and Cold Snaps: March Birding at Brawner Farm On the morning of March 28, 2026, a hearty group of birders gathered to brave a chilly morning and stiff breeze at Manassas National Battlefield Park. The clear sky offered a beautiful backdrop for our walk, even though the wind kept many smaller birds hunkered down…
Meeting in the parking lot at Silver Lake Regional Park our group of 21 was greeted by a clear blue sky and lovely spring weather. It was a peaceful start, but the outing took an unexpected turn. Out in the water, a Canada Goose was spotted struggling in tangled fishing line. Without hesitation, Ed waded…
The early spring morning offered a perfect canvas for our field trip at Leopold’s Preserve. Twenty-six birders showed up for a walk in the mixed wetland-grassland environment. Over at the wetland, the songs of Red-winged Blackbirds filled the air. In spite of the winds, Turkey Vultures, raptors, and a big flock Common Grackles soared high,…
Our large group of 27 birders gathered at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the morning, greeted by a dense fog that limited our visibility to a mere half-mile. With temperatures hovering in the brisk upper 40s and a light breeze moving through the trees, the overcast weather didn’t dampen spirits. The morning got off…
There’s a specific kind of peaceful anticipation in the air right on the edge of spring. Our group of eight gathered under a clear, bright sky to take advantage of the beautiful weather. With the temperature climbing comfortably into the 50s and a gentle, cool breeze coming right off the river, the conditions were perfect…
We had a nice-sized group of 17 birders, including a few welcome new face, gather at Silver Lake Regional Park for our latest club walk. The weather was nice with brief patches of blue sky though the sun remained mostly obscured. Temperatures hovered around the mid 40’s, making for comfortable walking weather. The morning started…
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…
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…
