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** The Weekly Bird Word
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11/04/25

This week’s Bird Word:
Sapsucker

A sapsucker is a type of woodpecker that drills holes in trees in search of sap (and any insects that might be caught in it). As they make neat rows of shallow holes called “ sap wells,” sapsuckers sip up leaking sap with their brush-tipped tongues ([link removed]) . Look for Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in forests around northern Virginia as they make their way back to our area after a summer spent in cooler climates ([link removed]) .


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A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker seeking tree sap by creating neat, shallow rows of sap wells. Photo: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Barb D'Arpino/Audubon Photography Awards


** More in local bird and nature news:
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* Calling all Photographers: We’re having a photo calendar contest! Enter your best northern Virginia bird shots and help support NVBA’s conservation work. ([link removed])
* The Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas website has launched! One of the largest avian survey projects in Virginia, the Second Atlas ([link removed]) provides an incredible amount of data about birds in Virginia that can be used to direct conservation efforts and more.
* Let’s go birding: Join us at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly for a fall bird walk on Saturday, November 8 ([link removed]) .
* Are you a public school teacher? Learn about our Hog Island Scholarship program ([link removed]) from last year’s winner - we postponed our original program date to November 20.
* Paint a female Northern Cardinal this week: Ronna Fujisawa will guide you step-by-step through the process of painting this subtly beautiful bird in watercolor ([link removed]) on Thursday, November 6.
* Italian eco-tourism and conservation: Ever wondered what birds you can find in Italy? Join us for this free program with Marco Valtriani ([link removed]) on November 24 - you can come in person or via zoom.
* It’s time for goldenrods: And contrary to popular belief, these golden, autumn-blooming pollinator powerhouses ([link removed]) are not the cause of fall allergies!
* We need your help: Check out our volunteer page ([link removed]) for all the different ways you can lend a hand! From pulling invasives to helping with tabling events and counting birds and insects, there’s something for everyone.

See you out there,
Northern Virginia Bird Alliance
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