The latest news and events from Audubon Society of Northern Virginia

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** November 2023
ASNV HOME ([link removed]) DONATE ([link removed]) JOIN ([link removed])
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** President's Corner
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** Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hannah Meddaugh/Audubon Photography Awards
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Hope is winning out, even as I hear chainsaws and backhoes signal the demolition of yet another neighborhood house and all of its majestic oaks. I block out those sounds of destruction by recalling four hopeful ASNV sessions from the past few weeks.

Read more > ([link removed])


** Echelon un vistas a nuestra nuevo sitio web en español (Take a Look at Our New Spanish Language Pages)
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** Pájaro Azul Oriental, Danny Brown/Premio de Fotografía Audubon (Eastern Bluebirds, Danny Brown/Audubon Photography Awards)
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Note que tenemos una nueva sección en nuestra página web y es en español. (We have translated some core information on our website into Spanish.)

Read more > ([link removed])


** Christmas Bird Count
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** Winter Wren, Therese Scheller/Audubon Photography Awards
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The 124th Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will take place between this December 14 and January 5, 2024.

Read more > ([link removed])


** ASNV and Plant NoVA Natives Award Ten Mini-grants for Invasive Removal
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** Porcelain-berry, Olivier Vanpe via Wikimedia Commons
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This year, the Fairfax County Tree Preservation and Planting Fund (TPPF) gave Audubon at Home and Plant NOVA Natives a grant to fund mini-grants for invasive plant removal on community association or faith community common open space.

Read more > ([link removed])


** Meet Our Volunteer of the Year: Bill Young
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** Tom Wood and Bill Young, Tina Dudley
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At ASNV’s Volunteer Appreciation and Service Event on October 22, board member Judy Gallagher presented Bill Young with the Volunteer of the Year award.

Read more > ([link removed])


** ASNV's Trip to Cape May, New Jersey
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** Sanderling, Ron Grimes
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On the weekend of October 7-8, 24 birders traveled with ASNV to Cape May, New Jersey, a prime spot for birders, for an adventure witnessing fall migration.

Read more > ([link removed])


** ASNV Co-hosts Advocacy Forum
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** Virginia State Capitol, Wikimedia User Skip Plitt via CC BY-SA 3.0
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ASNV’s Advocacy Committee co-hosted an Advocacy Forum with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions on October 21, an event that attracted close to 50 people.

Read more > ([link removed])


** Fall Cleanup in Two Easy Steps
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** Fall color, Margaret Fisher
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Here is an executive summary of eco-friendly yard maintenance recommendations for fall: 1: Watch the pretty leaves flutter down from above. 2: Do as little as possible to disturb those leaves or the flower stalks.

Read more > ([link removed])


** After a Long Hot Summer, It's Time to Plant Trees!
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** Sweetgum Tree, Nancy Vehrs
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Autumn is a perfect time for trees to go in the ground. Instead of facing a long, hot summer, trees have time to get acclimated to their new space, and then they cheerfully spend the winter in a dormant state.

Read more > ([link removed])

Monthly Features


** Observations from Meadowood
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** Oak Treehopper, Judy Gallagher
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Judy Gallagher is a long-time participant in the Meadowood Recreation Area survey. Here are some of her findings.

Read more > ([link removed])


** Vote for Conservation this Month
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Ballot Box, Wikimedia Commons

All elections are important but Virginians will elect the entire Virginia General Assembly on November 7.
Read more > ([link removed])

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** Upcoming Classes and Events
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We have some exciting classes and events coming up, both virtually and in-person! Click any event to learn more and register. You can also check our calendar ([link removed]) for our full schedule of events.


** The "Birdman" Behind the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with Will McLean Greely
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** Image courtesy of Will McLean Greely
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Join us for an author event and learn about the man behind the ground-breaking, 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It’s one of the country’s first and most important conservation laws and has saved billions of birds.

Will McLean Greeley will provide an overview of his new biography, A Connecticut Yankee Goes to Washington: Senator George P. McLean, Birdman of the Senate. This is the story of how Connecticut’s George P. McLean helped establish lasting legal protections for birds that is still in effect today. Greeley, McLean’s great-great-nephew, puts McLean’s victory for birds in the context of his distinguished forty-five-year career marked by many acts of reform during a time of widespread corruption and political instability.

When: Thursday, November 2, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Fee: Members, $10; Non-members, $15
MORE INFO ([link removed])


** Author Talk: The Cost of Plant Blindness with Sue Burke
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** Sue Burke
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Join us for a talk by Sue Burke, author of Semiosis - a book about sentient plants on a distant planet - as she explains why she hoped to make her readers afraid of their gardens and afraid for plants in general. Sue will speak on how “plant blindness” affects our environment and what can be done to be more aware of the foundation of our ecosystems. Plants, like birds, connect us to the Earth.

Sue Burke is an American writer and translator. She has written the science fiction novel Semiosis (2018), its sequel, Interference (2019), and another unrelated book called Immunity Index (2021). Semiosis attracted favorable attention and acclaim and appeared on numerous lists of the best books of 2018. Sue Burke spent many years working as a reporter and editor for a variety of newspapers and magazines. She is a Clarion workshop alumnus, and she has published more than 30 short stories.

When: Thursday, November 9, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Members: $10
Non-members: $15
MORE INFO ([link removed])


** Occoquan Tree Identification with Jim McGlone
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** Occoquan Bay NWR, Rusty Moran
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Join us for a walk through Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge to learn how to identify common native trees and how you can be a good park neighbor by planting your own native trees at home. You’ll also learn why trees are so important, both in parks and the areas surrounding parks.

This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in June 1998 to provide habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. The refuge's diverse grassland, marsh, and forest habitats attract a variety songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl that depend on the area for food, nesting sites, and a place to rest.

When: Saturday, November 18, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: Occoquan Bay NWR Visitor Center, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Fee: FREE
MORE INFO ([link removed])


** Winter Bird Feeding Workshop
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Northern Cardinal, Alexis Hayes


Greg Butcher will offer tips about increasing the number and variety of birds that visit your backyard this winter. In addition, he will introduce you to Project FeederWatch, a program of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology that allows you and your family to contribute to science. After the presentation we’ll test your backyard bird identification skills with a Kahoot!

Greg Butcher is a retired Ph.D. ornithologist and former ASNV board member. In addition to the U.S. Forest Service, Greg has worked for the National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Partners in Flight, Birder’s World magazine, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Greg is a lively and informative public speaker and interpreter for bird conservation and ecology worldwide.

When: Wednesday, November 29, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Fee: FREE, but registration is required
MORE INFO ([link removed])


** Birds in Watercolor with Ronna Fujisawa
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Tufted Titmouse, Ronna Fujisawa


This winter you may notice the Tufted Titmouse on your backyard bird feeder eating and hoarding plenty of sunflower seeds. Let’s celebrate the season and paint a watercolor of this lovely little gray bird. You may even wish to make a few and send them as holiday cards!

Birds are an excellent source of inspiration and a joy to paint. Join this live, online class to paint alongside Ronna Fujisawa, an experienced watercolor painter, art educator, and bird enthusiast.

No prior watercolor experience is necessary for enjoying this tutorial. To prepare for the class, students will use carbon paper and the photo below to create outlines of the birds on watercolor paper. During the class, she will take the students step by step through the process of creating bird-themed holiday cards. Students can paint along with Ronna during this live class or work later at their own pace with access to the recording of the online lesson.

When: Thursday, November 30, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Virtual
Members: $20
Non-members: $30
MORE INFO ([link removed])


** Bird Conservation Legislation with ABC's Steve Holmer
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U.S. Capitol, Wikimedia user Raul654


Overuse of pesticides, urban sprawl, habitat destruction, and invasive species all are major threats to birds in the Western Hemisphere. Birds also die from collisions with windows and predation by cats. Join Steve Holmer, Vice-President of Policy for American Bird Conservancy, for a discussion of opportunities to advance bird conservation through advocacy. Steve will highlight pending federal bills and regulations, as well as legislation in Virginia that citizens can support to better protect the birds they love.

American Bird Conservancy is a national non-profit membership organization with the mission of conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas.

When: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Virtual
Member ticket: Free, but registration is required

Registration coming soon.


** Birding in Colombia with ASNV
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Santa Marta Woodstar, Luis Eduardo Urena


With over 1,900 avian species — more than any other country in the world — Colombia is a birder’s paradise waiting to be discovered. This 9-day program focuses on the country’s northern highlights, including the Caribbean region and the Santa Marta Mountains, famed for their high level of endemic species. Explore high-elevation mountains, dry forest, and coastal habitats in search of an array of tropical avifauna, including flycatchers, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and more. Throughout your journey, meet members of the local community and learn about conservation efforts to use birding as a sustainable development resource.

When: Saturday, January 13, 2024 - Sunday, January 21, 2024 9:00 AM
Where: Colombia
Fee: See registration page ([link removed]) through Holbrook Travel for pricing information
MORE INFO ([link removed])


** Bird Walks
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Birding, Camila Cerea


Check this page ([link removed]) for upcoming walks! Registration is no longer required for ASNV-sponsored walks.


** Monday Nature Mystery
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** Leucistic American Robin, Seth Honig
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**
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery and see what this week's mystery holds.
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**
Read more > ([link removed])
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** Conservation Counts
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Rusty Moran

Join Jim Waggener in his ongoing natural resource surveys at two of Northern Virginia's best birding spots. Surveys alternate between Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area on Mason Neck.

Read more > ([link removed])

E-Activist Network: Volunteers Needed

The National Audubon Society invites all Auduboners to join its e-activist network. When you subscribe to the Society’s newsletter, you'll receive alerts about important congressional actions and information about how you can affect legislation by contacting your members of Congress. [link removed]
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** Maximize Your Impact
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Green Heron, Jay Stout/Audubon Photography Awards

Help ASNV build its nest egg through planned giving. Learn how here ([link removed]) .
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