November 2025

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SISKIN
The
Newsletter of the Northern Virginia Bird Club
Vol. 70, No. 4
Inside
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Calendar of NVBC field trips,
October 29, 2025 – February 8,
2026
Winter Chincoteague Trip
Upcoming Christmas Bird Counts
in Northern Virginia
2026 Northern Virginia Bird
Alliance Winter Waterfowl Survey
2025 Treasurer’s Report
Birding in Uganda
Insert – 2026 membership renewal
notice
NVBC Board Update
Join us in welcoming new board
volunteeers
Luke Holian, Vice President for Field
Activities
Lori and Troy Barbour, Directors
November 2025
NVBC GENERAL MEETING—THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 8 PM
Falkland Islands Birding Adventure
Speaker: Bill Millhouser
ill and Fran Millhouser have enjoyed birdwatching since the mid 1970s
B 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 Africa. In January 2024 they joined a small group of photographers
led by wildlife photographer Nikhil Bahl on a two-week tour of the
Falkland Islands, which are located off the southern tip of South America.
While the tour focused on the Island’s Penguin species and the majestic
Black-browed Albatross, they encountered many species of birds and
wildlife including marine mammals. The presentation will provide an
overview of the geography and history of the Falklands and provide a
window on the Islands’ wildlife.
Reminder:
The Club is still looking for a
volunteer/volunteers to fill the VicePresident for programs
General Meeting Notes: Early bird
refreshments start at 7:30 p.m. Any
contributions of food or beverage will
be most gratefully received. There will
be a drawing for door prizes. Northern
Virginia Bird Club pins will be available
for members who would like to buy
them ($5 each).
MEETING PLACE:
St. Andrews
Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane,
Arlington, 22207. Directions are on
page 4.
www.nvabc.org
Rockhoppers surfing photographed by Bill Millhouser
Presidential Peentings
I
am always intrigued when something related to
birding and birders breaks through into the popular
culture. Several years ago, we had the movie, “The Big
Year” about three birders attempting to break the ABA
Big Year record. It was a comedy, but it was based on real
events. It is a Hollywood movie with big name actors, and
it introduced people to some of what birding is about. It
seemed to me that I saw more birders in the parks and
attending NVBC field trips after this movie came out.
Now there is a new movie about birding which can be
seen on YouTube. It’s called, “Listers” and is a
documentary about two brothers who have not birded
before who decide to do a Lower 48 Big Year using only
their van for transportation and as their sleeping quarters.
One of the brothers happens to be a nature videographer,
so the movie includes many excellent shots of some of the
birds that they find. Some of the situations they encounter
are humorous and familiar to long-time birders. Since
they use eBird to document their sightings, they have to
accept a few corrections along the way from various eBird
reviewers around the country. They don’t always
Red Phalarope at Capitol Reflecting Pool, District
of Columbia photographed by Larry Meade
Winter Chincoteague Trip
Winter Chincoteague Weekend club trip is
Thescheduled
for February 6 to February 8 (Friday to
Sunday), 2026. The trip will be limited to 24 people and
sign-up procedures are detailed below. NVBC membership
is required for this trip.
February is an excellent time to visit Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) ). The Refuge is loaded
with wintering waterfowl. As a change from previous trips
which included birding at one of the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) Islands, we will be visiting the
Ocean City Inlet on the way home. We typically find 90 or
more species on this trip. Highlights from previous years
have been Northern Gannets, Red-necked Grebes, Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, Snow Geese, Brants, Common
Goldeneyes, Long-tailed Ducks, Common Eiders,
Harlequin Ducks, Purple Sandpipers, Great Cormorants
and even Razorbills. We will also try again to listen and
2
graciously accept this feedback, but I think they
understand that their lists need to be accurate. The
brothers show tenacity and grit during their quest, and
they end up with a very respectable list of over 500 birds.
I think one impression of birders that is conveyed in
the film is that birders are all Big Year listers who will
drive twelve or more hours, or get on a plane, to see a bird
for our year list. I respect people who do this, but I don’t
have the time or energy. The film also sometimes implies
that birding is hyper competitive and high pressure all of
the time. In reality, many birders are not listers at all or
only pay attention to life lists, state lists or county lists.
For me, it’s usually a relaxing and positive endeavor. Even
so, I enjoyed “Listers” and I think it’s well worth checking
out
On another subject, we are saying goodbye to Phil
Silas. As our VP of Programs and expert trip leader, he
has been integral to the success of NVBC and we will
miss him. Fortunately, he has promised to occasionally
return to NOVA, and we are likely to see him on a few
bird walks in the future.
—Larry Meade
Our Thanks to Phil! Happy Birding in North Carolina
Photograph of Phil by Neal Gause
watch for American Woodcocks displaying above the
horse corral at dusk on Friday night.
Plans for the weekend include birding the
Chincoteague area Friday afternoon starting at 3:15 p.m.
(optional) and Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m. Activities on
Friday and Saturday include birding along Beach Road,
Swan Cove, Tom’s Cove and around the Wildlife Loop.
Time and tides permitting, we will also visit the Queen
Sound Flats, the Chincoteague Mudflats and Mariner’s
Point. On Sunday, we will bird the Ocean City Inlet.
Because the Chincoteague weekends are such popular
trips, we will continue with the new sign-up procedure to
enable wider member participation. Registration will
open on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6 a.m. To
sign up for this trip, please email Larry Meade at
uberlarry@aol.com. All members who send an email
between 6 and 7 a.m. will be eligible to be put on the list.
Continued on p 3
Northern Virginia Bird Club . www.nvabc.org
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Sunday, December 14, 2025
MANASSAS-BULL RUN
To participate, contact Doug Levey by December 6 at
neomorphis0920@gmail.com.
THE PLAINS/AIRLIE
To participate, please register online at: https://
cliftoninstitute.org/event/26th-annual-the-plains-airliechristmas-bird-count/. If you have questions or need
help registering, please contact coordinator, Bridget
Bradshaw (email: bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org,
phone: 540-341-3651).
SENECA MD/VA
Count has five Virginia sectors, ranging from Great Falls
Park to the eastern corner of Loudoun County. To
participate, email compiler, Jim Nelson at kingfishers2
@verizon.net.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
BROOKE, VA (Stafford area, lower Potomac)
Contact coordinators and compiler, Laurel Bybell at
lbybell@gmail.com or David Govoni at david.govoni
@gmail.com.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
WASHINGTON D.C.
Includes area of Virginia inside the Beltway and parts of
Fairfax County south of Alexandria to include Dyke
Marsh. To participate, email compiler, Larry Cartwright:
prowarbler@verizon.net or contact Nature Forward
(formerly Audubon Naturalist Society) through Pam
Oves at Pam.Oves@natureforward.org.
Winter Chincoteague Trip from p 2
However, club members who were
not on the Winter 2025 or the Spring
2025 trip will get a higher priority, in
the order received. They will be
followed by those who have been on
one of those trips, in time stamp
order. The 24 slots are likely to fill up
very quickly and therefore, a waiting
list will be started with those who
respond in the first hour. Any club
member who sends an email after 7
a.m. on November 12 will not be
given the higher priority over those in
the first hour but will be considered
for any available slot or waitlisted in
order of the time stamp. When
signing up, please indicate whether
you are interested in the group dinner
on Saturday night at Bill’s Seafood
Restaurant. Please do not make your
hotel reservations until your trip
registration has been confirmed.
We have obtained a special rate
of $94 including taxes per night on
The Siskin . Vol. 70 No. 4 . November 2025
Saturday, December 27, 2025
NOKESVILLE
For more information or to register, contact Ashley
Studholme at the Prince William Conservation Alliance
at alliance@pwconserve.org.
Sunday December 28, 2025
SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN MD/VA
Count covers rural and urban areas across Montgomery
and Frederick Counties, Maryland and the Lucketts
sector in northern Loudoun County, Virginia. Contact
coordinator Jo Cox at jobird11@gmail.com or phone
240-506-1723.
Monday, December 29, 2025
CENTRAL LOUDOUN
Sign up at www.loudounwildlife.org or contact compiler, Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org or
Bryan Henson at bhenson@loudounwildlife.org.
Saturday, January 3, 2026
CALMES NECK
Parts of western Loudoun and eastern Clarke counties.
Contact compiler, Margaret Wester at margaretwester
@hotmail.com.
Sunday, January 4, 2026
FORT BELVOIR
To volunteer, contact compiler, Luke Holian at
holian.luke@gmail.com.
WALKERTON
Count area is primarily in Middle Peninsula. Contact
compiler, Fred Atwood at fredatwood@yahoo.com by
December 13.
twenty rooms for Friday and Saturday
nights at the Spark by Hilton
Chincoteague Island (formerly Best
Western) on Maddox Boulevard. A
two-night stay is usually required.
Hotel reservations must be made by
January 6 to get this special group
rate. Participants should make their
own reservations by calling
757-336-6557, press 1 for
reservations. This number goes to the
front desk and not the Hilton
reservation line. Be sure to say that
you are with the Northern Virginia
Bird Club. Check-in time is 3 p.m.
on Friday, February 6, with a prior
24-hour notice policy for
cancellation. Also note that
Chincoteague National Wildlife
Refuge has an entrance fee per car.
—Larry Meade
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance
Winter Waterfowl Survey
On Saturday, February 14 and
Sunday, February 15, 2026, birders
of all skill levels will join up to
count waterfowl in Fairfax,
Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince
William counties, including the
Potomac and Occoquan
watersheds. Novice birders will be
paired with expert bird enthusiasts.
Larry Cartwright continues as the
volunteer compiler for this year’s
count. For more information and to
join the team, email
info@nvbirdalliance.org at the
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance. Or
contact Larry Cartwright at
prowarbler@verizon.net.
NOTE: For those interested in how
to bird the CBBT, please see on-line
addendum.
3
Upcoming Trips and Events
Compiled by Phil Silas
Note:
Beginning birders are welcome on all trips.
When reservations are required, please contact one of the trip leaders. Contact info listed below.
Check the NVBC website for updated information about trips: http://www.nvabc.org/updated- eld-trips/.
Next-day rainy day make-up day may be possible if trip leader is available. Cancellation and make up
day will be announced via NVBC eMail Exchange and web site.
To receive email notices, join the NVBC eMail Exchange. For sign-up directions see back page of The Siskin.
nowSunday
is the time for Monday
all good menTuesday
29
October
Dave Boltz
Bob Butterworth
Larry Cartwright
Toby Hardwick
Ed LeGrand
Luke Holian
Joan Mashburn
Larry Meade
Thursday
703-599-8305
david.boltz4@gmail.com
703-343-0933
703-941-3142
703-201-1517
908-268-6627
703-258-9432
703-209-8678
571-275-2523
lgmeade@gmail.com
703-946-7738
Karen.i.pao@gmail.com
Friday
November
8:30 AM
Meadowood Recreation
Area – Lower Potomac
Field Station
Trip Leaders
Tom Nardone
Karen Pao
Wednesday
5
8
8:30 AM
Long Branch
8 AM
Leopold’s Preserve
Tom Nardone
Larry Cartwright
Toby Hardwick
Luke Holian
12
15
8 AM
Dyke Marsh
8 AM
Silver Lake RP
Tom Nardone
Kay Bushman
19
Joan Mashburn
1
8 AM
Aquia Landing
Beach Park
Bob Butterworth
Joan Mashburn
Larry Cartwright
Kay Bushman
8:30 AM
Woodbridge Veterans
Memorial Park
Saturday
Toby Hardwick
20
NVBC
Meeting
22
8 AM
Occoquan Bay
NWR
8 PM
Luke Holian
Larry Meade
dddddd
29
8 AM
Aquia Landing
Beach Park
Luke Holian
Karen Pao
December
3
6
8:30 AM
Long Branch
8:30 AM
Blandy Farm
Larry Cartwright
Tom Nardone
Ed LeGrand
Dave Boltz
10
8 AM
Huntley Meadows
Tom Nardone
December 14, 2025- January 5, 2026— CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS (NORTHERN VIRGINIA CBC See p. 3)
4
Turn left onto Military and enter the
first driveway on the right. There is
some parking near the Church’s back
entrance and a bigger lot up the
driveway. There is on-street parking.
Enter at the back door facing Military
Rd which leads to the Undercroft
where the meeting in held
——
Note: In 2026, NVBC General
Meetings will be held on third
Tuesdays (unless there is a conflict
with venue scheduling) instead of
Thursdays. Change requested by
church venue administration.
Northern Virginia Bird Club . www.nvabc.org
fi
DIRECTIONS
NVBC Meeting (11/21) St. Andrews
Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Ln,
Arlington 22207, at the intersection of
Lorcom Ln and Military Rd. From the
intersection of Spout Run Pkwy and
Lorcom Ln, go about a half mile on
Lorcom to the second traffic light.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
January
Wednesday
Thursday
7
8:30 AM
Burke Lake Park
Karen Pao
Friday
Saturday
10
8 AM
Northern Neck X-trip
Members only/
email leader to register
Larry Meade
Joan Mashburn
14
8:30 AM
Neabsco Regional
Park – Boardwalk
Joan Mashburn
21
8 AM
Huntley Meadows
Tom Nardone
Kay Bushman
28
8 AM
Dyke Marsh
Tom Nardone
February
4
8:30 AM
Long Branch
Larry Cartwright
Tom Nardone
17
8:30 AM
Riverbend RP
Joan Mashburn
Karen Pao
24
8:30 AM
Silver Lake RP
Ed LeGrand
Toby Hardwick
31
8 AM
Occoquan Bay NWR
Larry Meade
Luke Holian
6-8
Chincoteague Weekend
Members only
Sign up via email starting on
November 12, 2025, at 6 am
Larry Meade
Joan Mashburn
Aquia Landing Park (11/1, 11/29)
2846 Brooke Rd, Stafford 22554 From
southbound I-95 towards Stafford,
take exit 140 to Stafford, then left
(east) on Courthouse Rd (Rt 630), go
3.5 mi. and turn right on Andrew
Chapel Rd (Rt 629), go 0.9 mi. and
under the railroad bridge to a slight
left onto Brooke Rd (Rt 608), go 4.4
mi. to the park entrance, continue past
park entrance gate to the parking lot at
the end of the road. Meet in the
parking lot.
Blandy Experimental Farm/State
Arboretum of Virginia (12/6) 400
Blandy Farm Ln, Boyce, 22620 Take
I-66 west to Rt 17 north (Exit 23,
Delaplane/Paris). Follow Rt 17 north
to junction with Rt 50 west. Turn left
at traffic light onto Rt 50/17; go 7.8
mi., turn left onto Rt 750 to the
Arboretum.
Burke Lake Park (1/7) 7315 Ox Rd,
Fairfax Station 22039 From I-495,
take exit 54 west (Braddock Rd). If
coming from the North, stay in right
lane of exit. Go 1.5 mi. on Braddock
Rd then left onto Burke Lake Rd. Go
The Siskin . Vol. 70, No. 4 . November 2025
4.7 mi. and turn left onto Rt 123 (Ox
Rd). Turn left at second traffic light
(big park signs), and turn left
immediately after the entrance booth.
Park in the first lot on the right (by the
mini-golf course).
Dyke Marsh (11/12, 1/28) 6401
George Washington Memorial Pkwy,
Alexandria 22307 (Belle Haven Park
and Marina) From Alexandria, take
George Washington Pkwy south.
Cross I-495; continue 1.2 mi. to Belle
Haven Park entrance on the left. Meet
at south parking lot.
Huntley Meadows Park (12/10,
1/21) 3701 Lockheed Blvd,
Alexandria 22306 From I-495, take Rt
1 south 3 mi. to Lockheed Blvd. Right
on Lockheed; go 0.5 mi. to Harrison
Ln, park entrance on left. Meet in
parking lot.
Leopold’s Preserve (11/8)
16283
Thoroughfare Rd, Haymarket 20169
From I-66 west, take exit 40 to Rt 15
toward Haymarket/Leesburg. Turn left
onto Rt 15 south. Turn right onto Rt
55 and go 1.7 mi. to Thoroughfare Rd.
Turn left onto Thoroughfare and go
0.3 mi. There are parking lots on both
sides of the road. Meet in the right
hand (west) parking lot. The left hand
(east) parking lot can be used for
overflow parking.
Long Branch Nature Area (11/5
12/3, 2/4) 625 S Carlin Springs Rd,
Arlington 22204 Take Rt 50, east from
Fairfax or west from Rosslyn to Carlin
Springs exit. Go south on Carlin
Springs 0.5 mi. to Nature Center on
left, just south of N. Va Community
Hospital on left.
Meet at Nature
Center parking lot.
M e a d o w o o d R e c re a t i o n A re a
(10/29) 10406 Gunston Rd, Lorton,
VA 22079 From I-495, take I-95 south
7 mi. to Lorton exit. Left on Rt 642.
Immediately after passing under
railroad tracks (0.25 mi.) turn right on
Lorton Market Rd, which soon
becomes Gunston Cove Rd. After
crossing Rt 1, road becomes Gunston
Rd. Go 1.8 miles to Meadowood on
right. (BLM, Lower Potomac Station
Office). Park on right next to horse
barns just before field station building.
5
Trip Directions from page 4
Neabsco Regional Park – Boardwalk
(1/14) 5125 Blackburn Rd,
Woodbridge 22191 From I-495, take
I-95 south about 14 mi. to exit 156
(Dale City/Rippon Landing/Rt. 784).
Take exit 156A for Rt 784 east toward
Rippon Landing. Continue 0.7 mi.
Across Rt 1 where Dale Blvd becomes
Rippon Blvd and continue down the
hill another 0.4 mi. to a stop light and
turn right on Blackburn Rd. The park
parking lot is then 0.2 mi. away on the
left.
Northern Neck X-trip (1/10) Meet at
the Silver Diner, 6592 Springfield
Mall. From the Beltway, take I-95
south to exit 169A (Springfield/
Franconia) (Rt 644E). From exit ramp,
turn right onto Franconia Rd E. Stay
in the right lane. Go about 0.3 mi. on
Franconia Rd E, past Loisdale Rd, and
turn right into Springfield Mall. Go
about 325 ft; turn left and go about
150 ft; then turn left again and go
another 200 ft to the Silver Diner on
the left.
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife
Refuge (11/22, 1/31) 13950 Dawson
Beach Rd, Woodbridge 22192 From
I-495, take I-95 south 9 mi. to (left)
exit 161 (Woodbridge). Go south on
Rt 1 about 2 mi. to left turn onto
Dawson Beach Rd. Continue on
Dawson Beach 0.7 mi. to entrance
gate. Meet in parking lot.
Riverbend Park (Visitor Center)
(1/17) 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great
Falls 22066 From I-495, take Rt. 193
west 5 mi. to Rt 603 (Riverbend Rd).
Turn right onto Rt 603; go 2 mi. to
Jeffery Rd. Turn right onto Jeffery;
and go 0.8 mi. to main park entrance
sign on right. Turn right and continue
0.5 mi.to Visitor Center parking lot.
Meet in front of Visitor Center.
Silver Lake RP (11/15, 1/24) 16198
Silver Lake Rd, Haymarket 20169
From I-495, take I-66 west 24 mi. to
exit 40 (Rt 15). Turn south onto Rt 15
(toward Haymarket) and go 0.3 miles
to Rt 55. Turn right onto Rt 55 and go
0.9 mi. to Antioch Rd. Turn right onto
Antioch and go 1.3 mi. to Silver Lake
Rd. Turn right and proceed to park
entrance and continue to parking lot
next to the lake. Meet in parking lot.
Woodbridge Veterans Memorial
Park (11/19) 14300 Veterans Dr,
Woodbridge, 22191 From I-495, take
I-95 south 9 mi. to (left) exit 161
(Woodbridge). Go south on Rt 1 about
3.5 mi. to left turn onto Featherstone
6
Rd. Continue on Featherstone about a
mile and cross the RR tracks, turn left
and proceed about 1 mile to the
community center on the left, meet
near Veterans Drive in front of the
center.
Treasurer’s Report for
Fiscal Year 2025
The membership chair reports 162
Family memberships and 293
individual memberships as of July 14,
2025 giving the club a count of over
600 members.
At the close of Fiscal Year (FY)
2025, the Club had $11,873 in total
assets including $3,365 in future
years’ dues and $683 designated for
education grants.
In FY 2025, the Club’s total
revenues, including dues paid for
2025, donations, and miscellaneous
incomes, totaled $7,541. The Club’s
expenses for FY 2025, including
meeting expenses (hall rental and
speaker honoraria), organizational
costs (such as PayPal fees, website,
State of Virginia incorporation fees,
group passes for field trips), and
printing and postage for the Siskin,
totaled $8,145. See table below. T h e
Club made a donation of $500 to the
Virginia Bird Atlas project, fulfilling
the last installment of our pledge.
The Club made a donation of
$500 to the Clifton Institute. In the
past, the Club made annual donations
to Community Cloud Forest
Conservation (CCFC). CCFC is
currently well-endowed and on sound
financial footing, thus the Club
decided to donate somewhere where
the donation may make a greater
impact.
Income received
Dues for 2025
Donations
Atlas Donations
2025 Misc Income
Total Income
$5,280
1,806
395
60
$7,541
Expenses
Meeting expenses
Organizational costs
Printing and postage
Educational Grant
Atlas Donation
Total expenses
$1,400
$850
4,895
500
500
$8,145
Net for 2025
-$604
Bird Walks at Local Parks
Banshee Reeks Nature
Preserve, second Saturdays, 8
a.m. Meet at the parking lot.
Online registration. Visit the
Loudoun Wildlife web site,
w w w. l o u d o u n w i l d l i f e . o r g /
events/
Dyke Marsh, Sundays, 8 a.m. See
directions. Visit the Friends of
Dyke Marsh web site,
www.fodm.org
Great Falls National Park,
Sundays, 8 a.m. Meet in the main
parking lot near the Park Visitor
Center.
Huntley Meadows Park,
Mondays, 7 a.m. (Apr-Sep)
8
a.m. (Oct-Mar) Meet in parking
lot.
Merrimac Farm, last Sunday, 8
a.m. Meet at Merrimac Farm
Stone House. www.pwconserve
.org/eventsindex.html#birds
Riverbend Park, first and third
Fridays, 8 a.m. beginning April
4 to October 17. Meet at the
Nature Center parking lot off
Jeffrey Road. No fee but call
Riverbend Park at 703-759-9018
to register. Leader: Robin Duska
Sweet Run State Park, fourth
Saturdays, 8 a.m. Meet at
Education Center. Online
registration.
www.loudounwildlife.org/events/
—Karen Pao, Treasurer
Northern Virginia Bird Club . www.nvabc.org
Birding in Uganda
Uganda was coined “The Pearl of Africa” by Winston
Churchill in 1908 because of the natural beauty, moderate
climate, rich biodiversity, and warm hospitality of its
people. Our trip in early August confirmed Churchill’s
findings. Where else do you sit down to check into a lodge,
get served a welcome drink and have a lovely staff
member take your order for dinner upon check-in? The
food was fresh and delicious,
especially the Nile Perch and
Nile Tilapia. The hospitality of
the people was genuinely
warm, and the children were so
happy to see the “muzungu”
who passed through their
villages.
We embarked upon a
private tour of Central, Eastern
and Western Uganda, including
Murchison Falls National Park
in the north and Mt. Elgon in
the east with our excellent
Ugandan national guide,
Prossy Nanyombi. Our driver
was Gerald. He was a very
skilled driver through the
cities, villages and savannahs.
He was always searching for
species while driving and was
an amazing spotter. Because
we extended our trip beyond
the initial itinerary, Steve was
the driver for the additional
days. All went smoothly except
for an issue with an expired
insurance tag discovered at a
traffic stop and windshield
wipers that would not quit! We
had a local guide on all walks
in the national parks, as well as
an armed forest ranger. This
was to keep us safe from the
notorious Forest Elephants.
Sunrise was at 6:50 a.m.
and sunset at 7:08 p.m.
throughout the trip. The birds
were most active from 8 a.m.
until about 2 p.m. and resumed
activity at 4:30 p.m. until dark,
giving us a 1.5 to 2 hour break
during the day. The weather
was excellent with temps
varying from 60 to 84 degrees
with little humidity and almost
no rain during birding hours.
One of our primary motivators
for birding Uganda was to see
the Albertine Rift endemics.
We were fortunate to see 20 of
the 24 endemic bird species. In
addition, we visited Semulike
The Siskin . Vol. 70, No. 4 . November 2025
NP in Western Uganda. This forest is the easternmost
extent of the Congo Basin and features many unique
species as well as active thermal pools and geysers. We
encountered 513 species of birds on this fantastic trip.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is famous for the
protection of Mountain Gorillas. This 128 square mile
forest is home to seven habituated gorilla families. Our
gorilla trek involved an
arduous bushwhacking hike
down a densely covered
mountain, only possible with
the help of skillful guides and
trackers wielding machetes. We
encountered the family that had
the youngest member in the
forest, a one-month-old.
We had several game drives
through savannah habitats
looking for mammals,
including elephants, lions,
giraffes, buffalo, leopards, and
monkeys. We even had a
chance encounter with a small
family of Chimpanzees.
In addition to the long walks
through temperate forest, the
trip also featured boat rides on
the headwaters of the Nile
River as well as a boat ride to
see the iconic Shoebill.
For additional photographs
of the habitats and animals,
please visit our eBird Trip
Report.
https://ebird.org/
tripreport/402881
—Steve and Anne
Bielamowicz
Photographs by Steve
Bielamowicz:
Shoebill in Mabamba Swamp
(top)
Mountain Gorilla infant in
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP
(middle)
Photographs by Anne
Bielamowicz:
Papyrus Gonolek at a roadside
papyrus swamp in Eastern
Uganda (bottom)
Malachite Kingfisher from
Mabamba Swamp (page 6)
Note: additional photographs
contained in on-line addendum
7
NORTHERN VIRGINIA BIRD CLUB
P.O. BOX 5812
ARLINGTON, VA 22205-0812
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Dulles, VA
Permit No. 400
DATED
MATERIAL
JOIN THE NORTHERN
VIRGINIA BIRD CLUB
Northern Virginia Bird Club dues for
2026 are $15 for Individual and $25
for Family Membership. Members
receive our quarterly newsletter, The
Siskin. Checks for dues should be sent
to Northern Virginia Bird Club, Attn:
M e m b e r s h i p , P. O . B o x 5 8 1 2 ,
Arlington, VA 22205-0812. Or join or
renew online at the club’s website,
http://www.nvabc.org/join/.
If you miss an issue of The Siskin or
need to report an address or ZIP Code
change, please send an email message
to lgmeade@gmail.com or send a
message for Elizabeth Fenton at
emfenton@cox.net.
Please note: NVBC does not
exchange, give away, or sell its
membership lists.
NVBC ON THE WEB
Current information and special
notices about NVBC meetings, field
trips, and other activities, along with a
printable membership form, are posted
on the club’s website, www.nvabc.org.
If you have information or pictures
you would like to see on the website,
please email the webmaster, Jeremy
Beck at jghyll+nvabc@gmail.com.
NVBC eMail Exchange
For emails on bird walk updates, late
weather changes and detailed
directions for Swift/Nighthawk watch,
get on our Exchange. We do not
bombard members with local bird
sightings or ID help requests. To join
the exchange, send an email to
lgmeade@gmail.com. Put
“EXCHANGE” in the subject field
and your full name in the message
area. You will receive a response
from nvbc-exchange@googlegroups
.com. The list is for NVBC members’
use only.
General Meeting Dates: November
20, 2025, February 24, and April 24,
2026
Next Board Meeting: Thursday,
December 4, 2025, 7:30 p.m. To join
the Zoom board meeting or to have
items put on the agenda, please email
lgmeade@gmail.com.
Deadline for next issue of The
Siskin: The February issue will
include activities through April 2026.
Please send items for publication by
January 1, 2026, to the editors at
nvbcsiskineditor@gmail.com.
CLUB CONTACTS
President: Larry Meade,
571-275-2523
Vice President, Programs:
Vice President, Field Activities:
Luke Holian, 703-258-9432
Secretary: Cindy Nickerson,
cnandcats@gmail.com
Treasurer: Karen Pao, karen.i.pao
@gmail.com
Directors: Lori Barbour,
703-785-8673
Troy Barbour, 703-400-2085
Jeremy Beck, 703-517-1816
Joan Mashburn, 703-209-8678
Directors Emeritus: Charlotte Friend,
Joanna Taylor, Don Wiesnet
Membership: Elizabeth Fenton,
emfenton@cox.net
Webmaster, www.nvabc.org: Jeremy
Beck, jghyll+nvabc@gmail.com
Editors, The Siskin: Pat and Neal
Gause, 703-476-3903,
nvbcsiskineditor@gmail.com
Administrator, NVBC Facebook
Group: Allie Guidry (please contact
through Facebook page)
NVBC email: lgmeade@gmail.com
2026 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL NOTICE
This is your 2026 dues notice. Annual dues are $15.00 for individual membership
and $25.00 for family membership. Dues should be paid by December 31.
Club dues do not include Virginia Society of Ornithology membership.
Renewals: Please check your November 2025 Siskin mailing label. You do not owe dues if
your label shows in the top left corner “26” (dues paid-through 2026) or a later year or “CO”
(complimentary).
IMPORTANT NOTICE: YOU CAN JOIN AND PAY DUES ONLINE!!!
NVBC is using PayPal so members can JOIN and RENEW ONLINE. Go to the Club’s web site,
www.nvabc.org and click on the “join” tab. You can select individual or family memberships
for one, two, or three years. As you complete the transactions, you will post your name, address
and email information. Please add your email address (if different from your PayPal account
email), phone number and names of family participants for family membership to “add special
instructions to the seller.”
PayPal is a way to send money securely, with the flexibility to pay by a customer’s PayPal
account, bank account, or credit card. When you pay online you can choose to pay by your
PayPal account if you have one, but it is not required. You can pay by credit card as you would
for any other online shopping transaction.
If you want to pay by check, complete the form and mail to the address at the bottom. You
may also use this form to submit changes in your name and mailing information or you can
contact the membership chair, Elizabeth Fenton, at emfenton@cox.net.
WAY TO HELP THE CLUB
•
•
•
Field trip leader: If you are willing to volunteer to lead club bird trips, check
Board officer/director: Contact lgmeade@gmail.com if you are interested in serving as an
officer, director or providing other assistance.
Donations: The Northern Virginia Bird Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization to which
donations are tax deductible. We welcome donations in order to continue our education
efforts and also support various birding and conservation organizations. Use the DONATE
link on the “join” page on the web site. Or you may send a check to the address below.

Northern Virginia Bird Club Membership
Name _______________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _______________________________________________
Phone___________________________________________________________________
Email _______________________________________________________
Please check:
Renewal
New Membership
Dues:
Individual
$15.00/1 year
$30.00/2 years
$45.00/3 years
Family
$25.00/1 year
$50.00/2 years
$75.00/3 years
Please send this form with your dues payment (check payable to NVBC) to:
Northern Virginia Bird Club Membership, PO Box 5812, Arlington, VA 22205-0812
Birding the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
This winter, our club will be
visiting Ocean City Inlet as part of
the Chincoteague Trip, however you
can still access the CBBT—North
Chesapeake Island (#4) through these
groups, or on your own with a proper
application.
All options involve consolidated fees
covering transportation, police escort
and bridge toll.
•
Virginia Beach Winter Wildlife
Festival
https://parks.virginiabeach.gov/
events-information/specialevents/winter-wildlife-festival
Registration for the Jan 24- Feb
1, 2026 Festival opens November
This weeklong Festival is
popular; it includes photography
contests, whale and birding trips,
inland waterway boat trips and
walks, guest speakers and so
The Siskin . Vol. 70, No. 4 . November 2025
much more. In addition to bus
trips, boat trips to Islands #3 and
4 are sometimes available. You
can sign up for any events you
want to attend, not necessarily for
the whole week.
•
Birding Eastern Shore
https://www.birdingeasternshore
.org/events
This profit group offers winter
CBBT trips.
See website for
information.
•
•
Bird Clubs
Several bird clubs, including the
Richmond Audubon Society and
the Hampton Roads Bird Club,
offer trips for members. They are
all popular and fill up fast.
Chesapeake Bay-Bridge-Tunnel
https://www.cbbt.com/birding/
F i n a l l y, To a c c e s s t h e
northernmost island (referred to
as the “fourth island”),
individuals or groups must make
application for permission and
pay a fee in advance of their
planned trip.
To obtain an
application, visit or write the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel,
32386 Lankford Highway, Cape
Charles, VA
23310, (757)
331-2960.
If you want to see gorgeous seabirds,
you can make it happen.
—Joan Mashburn
Photographs taken at Chesapeake BayBridge Tunnel island by Seth Honig:
Purple Sandpiper (top left), Long-tailed
Duck (top right), Red-breasted Merganser
(bottom left), Common Eider (bottom right)
Addendum website only 1
Birds of Uganda
Photographed by Steve (SB) and Anne (AB) Bielamowicz
Ruppell’s Griffon at Muchison Falls National Park (AB)
Long-creasted Eagle in Jjungo Uganda (AB)
African Dwarf Kingfisher at Budongo Forest Reserve (SB)
Blue-breasted Bee-eater at Mabamba Swamp (SB
Lesser Jacana at Mabamba Swamp (SB)
Gray Crowned-cranes at Murchison Falls National Park (AB)
The Siskin . Vol. 70, No. 4 . November 2025
Addendum website only 2
Birds of Uganda
Photographed by Steve (SB) and Anne (AB) Bielamowicz
Red-throated Bee-eater at Murchison Falls National Park (AB )
Red-chested Owlet at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National
Park (SB)
Pied Cuckoo at Murchison Falls National Park (SB)
Luhder’s Bushshrike at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
(AB)
Nubian Woodpecker at Murchison Falls National Park (AB)
Speckled Tinkerbird at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
(SB)
The Siskin . Vol. 70, No. 4 . November 2025
Addendum website only 3
Birds of Uganda
Photographed by Steve (SB) and Anne (AB) Bielamowicz
Grauer’s Broadbill Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
(SB)
Red-cheeked Cordonbleau at Murchison Falls National Park
(AB)
Blue-spotted Wood-dove at Bigodi Swamp (SB)
Brown-throated Wattle-eye at Lake Mburo National Park (SB)
Red-necked Spurfowl at Queen Elizabeth II National Park (AB)
Abyssinian Ground-hornbill at Murchison Falls National Park
(AB)
The Siskin . Vol. 70, No. 4 . November 2025
Addendum website only 4