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Dear Friends,
As we settle into the quiet beauty of the winter season, we at the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance hope you're finding moments of peace—perhaps watching juncos scratch at a feeder or catching the flash of a cardinal against a gray December sky.
This time of year reminds us why we do this work: to protect the birds and habitats that bring wonder to our daily lives, and to share that wonder with our community. Thank you for being part of our flock. Your support, your advocacy, and your love for birds make everything we do possible.
We also wanted to share a little holiday fun! If you're a fan of cozy mysteries (and clever bird puns), we partnered with Macmillan Audio to give away three of Donna Andrews' delightful holiday-themed audiobooks: Five Golden Wings, Rockin' Around the Chickadee, and Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! All are read by longtime series narrator Bernadette Dunne.
Enter the sweepstakes here ([link removed]) ([link removed]) — perfect for a cozy listen while you wait for the Christmas Bird Count!
ENTER TO WIN HERE! ([link removed])
** The Weekly Bird Word
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12/22/25
This week’s Bird Word:
Roost
When temperatures drop, many birds gather together at night to share body heat and stay safe — this communal sleeping behavior is called roosting. Crows are famous for forming massive winter roosts numbering in the thousands, and some of you joined us earlier this month to witness this spectacular phenomenon at our Murder Watch! It's a reminder that even in the coldest months, there's warmth in togetherness. This holiday season, we hope you find your own roost with the people and places that keep you warm.
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Thousands of crows flock around their roost in Shirlington, as witnessed by our Murder Watch attendees on December 13. Photo: McKenzie Ingram
** More in local bird and nature news:
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* Holiday gift guide for birds: Whether you’ve finished your holiday shopping or not, you can always keep the birds in mind during the holidays (and any time of year). Here are some holiday gift ideas for the birds. ([link removed])
* Tundra Swans at Mason Neck:Visit Mason Neck park this Saturday, 12/28 (and through January) to look for these beautiful birds ([link removed]) and learn about their migration from park rangers stationed at the observation platform.
* Return of the White-throated Sparrows: In case you missed the article in the Potomac Flier this month, these beloved winter visitors have returned to northern Virginia ([link removed]) - have you seen or heard them yet?
* Mason Neck Winter Fest starts January 1: Start 2026 off right with a frosty day of hiking and nature exploration ([link removed]) . NVBA will be in attendance!
* Take a closer look: We hope you can find some time to slow down this winter and take a closer look at nature with Judy Gallagher’s fascinating monthly column ([link removed]) on local insects, including her incredible close-up photography. It’s the next best thing to getting outside.
* 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.
From all of us at NVBA, we wish you a peaceful holiday season. Thank you for standing with us for the birds.
With warm wishes,
The Northern Virginia Bird Alliance Team
P.S. Still looking for a gift for the bird lover in your life? While the calendar itself won't arrive in time for Christmas, it does make an excellent gift for birders all year round ([link removed]) !
Enjoy this email? Forward it on to friends and family. Or consider supporting NVBA so we can continue to bring you educational (and fun!) programs like this.
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