President's Corner
Canada Geese, Rusty Moran
Thanks to the generosity of our members and friends, our Annual Appeal raised a record-setting $57,000. That’s $8000 higher than our fundraising goal. It’s also a testament to our donors’ support of our mission to engage all Northern Virginia communities in enjoying, conserving, and restoring nature.
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Apply now for a Youth Education Mini-Grant!
Youth nature drawing at Huntley Meadows, Margaret Wohler
The ASNV Youth Education Committee is pleased to offer three mini-grants of up to $500 each for 2022. Read on to find out how to apply.
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Calling All Birders!
Camilla Ceria
It's time to get ready for Birdathon 2022! Last year’s winning team saw 89 species in 24 hours! Wow! Can you beat it? Find out how to register your team here.
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A Year of Birding "Centuries"
American Goldfinch, Libby Lyons
As 2021 began, I challenged myself to see 100 bird species each month, a “century” challenge. Here's what I learned.
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ASNV's Conservation Grants Blossom
J. Jenkins Elementary School, Amanda Ross
Last year, 11 applicants received ASNV Conservation Grant funds. They are already reaping benefits.
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Help ASNV Promote Conservation Policies
Huntley Meadows Fog, Dixie Sommers
We’re looking for volunteers to help ASNV contact members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from time to time. Can you help?
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Greg Butcher's Tips for a Successful Birdathon
Yellow-throated Warbler, Lorraine Minns/APA
Get ready for Birdathon: Here are the 4 main tricks to seeing the maximum number of species in a 24-hour period!
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Common Ravens and their Mythic Duty Across Pond
Common Raven, Deidra Bryant
This winter I visited England for a month. The most memorable avian species in my opinion – and most symbolic to the country and its culture – was the Common Raven.
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Upcoming Classes and Events
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 for our full schedule of events.
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Bald Eagles: A Conservation Success Story
Bald Eagle, Cynthia Hansen/APA
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This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Dyke Marsh, Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, Friends of Mason Neck Park, the Northern Virginia Bird Club and ASNV. Bald and golden eagles will be the focus of a presentation on March 2, 2022, by Jeff Cooper, a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) wildlife biologist.
When: Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: ONLINE
Fee: Free, but registration is required
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Growing Bird Food: New Research about Native Hydrangeas
Hydrangea arborescens, Nicholas Turland
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Join us for a presentation by Sam Hoadley from the Mt. Cuba Center, a nonprofit dedicated to preservation and conservation of native plant species of the Piedmont ecoregion. Sam will take us on a deep dive into Mt. Cuba Center’s newly released Hydrangea arborescens evaluation results.
When: Thursday, March 10, 7:00 – 8:00PM
Where: ONLINE
Fee: $10
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Warbler ID Course
American Redstart, Ashley Bradford
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Want to improve your warbler ID skills? This 4-part online course with Bill Young will cover plumage, behavior, and vocalizations to help you identify the 35 species of warblers you might see this spring.
When: Tuesday and Thursday, March 29 and 31, April 5 and 7, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Where: ONLINE
Members: $40
Non-members: $50
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Fireside Chat: Winter's Closure
Photo Haiku, Tom Wood
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Winter is a mysterious time, good for reflection. As winter melts into spring, join us for a discussion about wildlife enduring our coldest season, and what we might learn from their wise tricks. Tom Wood and Judy Gallagher will share winter tales and photo Haiku from our quiet season, but we want to hear your winter stories too!
When: Thursday, March 24, 7:00PM
Where: ONLINE
Fee: FREE, but registration is required
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Photographing and Viewing Wildlife: Gear, Tips and Ethics
Gordon Atkins, GBBC
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Wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom will be joined by photographer Molly Riley to discuss all things related to bird photography, from lens and camera choices, to autofocus settings. They will not only talk about how to get great shots, but how to do so ethically. This talk is all about gear, behavior (the wildlife as well as our own), and respect.
When: April 14, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: ONLINE
Members: $10
Non-members: $20
Registration coming soon!
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Audubon Afternoon with Douglas Futuyma
Courtesy of Douglas Futuyma
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We all learned that dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago - but now we know that they are still with us today. Join Douglas Futuyma, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, for a presentation on how birds evolved and continue to evolve.
When: Sunday, March 27, 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: ONLINE
Fee: FREE, but registration is required
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Bird Walks
Birder, Camilla Cerea
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Check this page for upcoming walks. Registration is required for all walks!
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Observations from Meadowood
Leaf with galls, Judy Gallagher
Judy Gallagher continues to survey Meadowood Recreation Area. Here are some findings from her most recent survey.
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February Bird of the Month: Snowy Owl
Peregrine Falcon, Lorelei Stierlen/APA
In downtown Richmond Peregrine Falcons have been nesting since 2003. Over the years the Virginia DWR and their partners have monitored them and beginning on March 1 you’ll be able to watch them too!
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Monday Nature Mystery
Red-winged Blackbird, Robert MacNevin
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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Conservation Counts
Bald Eagle, 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.
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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. https://www.audubon.org/
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