Caterpillars Count! – Virtual Presentation, April 14th

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Photo: Ed Haas

Thursday, April 14, 2022
7 – 8 pm
Ages 16-Adult
Free
Register here by April 12th; enter activity number 206201006 in the search.

Learn about Reston’s participation in the national citizen science project, Caterpillars Count! Volunteers are needed to collect weekly data on the abundance and phenology of caterpillars and other arthropods during the spring and summer. Held via Zoom. To learn more or get registration assistance, contact the Walker Nature Center at [email protected] or 703-476-9689.

NVBC Field Trips

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Photo:  Barbara Saffir

The Northern Virginia Bird Club offers three guided bird walks a week at a variety of locations.  The trips are free and open to all.  There is no need to register for the local trips.

Here is the schedule for March – June 2022.

Warbler Song Bootcamp: Hybrid webinar, April 15th

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Friday, April 15, 2022
6 – 7 pm
Register here for either in person or online.

Brush up on your warbler songs just before the migrants arrive in droves. Sponsored by The Clifton Institute, they will listen to the songs of each of the migratory warblers that pass through our region in spring, while looking at spectrograms to help visual learners identify differences in similar songs. They will also briefly discuss habitats where breeding warblers can be found in our area and cover a handful of other migrants such as vireos and thrushes.

This workshop will be of interest to birdwatchers of all skill levels. It will definitely be more fun than listening to a warbler song CD in your car! This program will be a hybrid in-person / virtual event. They think it’s more fun to get together in-person and learn from each others’ birdwatching experience, but also want to make this class accessible to people who don’t live within driving distance of the Clifton Institute. Please indicate which way you plan to attend below by RSVP’ing. If you RSVP to the “Virtual (Online) Only”, you will be sent a Zoom link a few days prior to the event.

Warbler ID Course, March 29th, 31st and April 5th, 7th

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Photo: Ashley Bradford

Tuesday and Thursday, March 29 and 31, April 5 and 7, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
ONLINE
ASNV members: $40
Non-members: $50
Register here.

Learn how to identify warblers visiting Northern Virginia in spring migration during this Audubon Society of Northern Virginia course.

Warblers are some of the most challenging birds to identify. They are small and often fast-moving, with easily confused calls and songs. This four-part course will cover plumage, behavior, and vocalizations to help you identify the 35 species of warblers you might see this spring.

This course will be presented by Bill Young, co-creator of the MPNature.com website, which describes the natural history of Monticello Park, a hidden gem and warbler hotspot in Alexandria, VA. Bill is the author of the book “The Fascination of Birds: From the Albatross to the Yellowthroat.” He also makes nature videos, and his YouTube channel has had 850,000 views.

An optional field trip, led by Phil Silas, will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 7:30 AM for 20 Identifying Warblers participants. The field trip fee is an additional $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers. The field trip will be held in Woodbridge, VA, but the exact location will only be revealed after registration. An email with a link to register for the field trip will be sent upon registration for Identifying Warblers. The field trip is first come, first serve and there will be a waitlist.
Photo credit: American Redstart, Ashley Bradford

 

Invasive Plant Identification Walk, April 9th

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Photo: Courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority

When: Saturday, 04/09/2022 10:00-11:30AM

Where: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

5040 Walney Road
Chantilly, VA, 20151
Map of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Cost: $8.00

Click here for more information.

Register Online.

Event Description:

Identify some Fairfax County’s common invasive plant species. Explore ways to lessen these plants around your home.

Family Woodcock Walk, March 19th

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Photo: Courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority

When: Wednesday, 3/19/2022 6:45-8:15PM

Where: HUNTLEY MEADOWS LOCATION

3701 Lockheed Blvd.
Alexandria, VA,
Map of Huntley Meadows Park

Cost: $9.00

Click here for more information.

Register Online.

Event Description:

Come for an evening walk through the woods to one of the park’s large meadows. Listen for the call of the male woodcock and hopefully see his amazing courtship display and flight. Bring a flashlight. Approximately 1.5 mile walk on uneven terrain. Canceled if rain. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Meets at the South Kings Highway entrance to the park.

12th Annual Gardening Symposium with Loudoun County Master Gardeners: Plant – Nurture – Grow – Gardening in Rhythm with Nature, March 19th

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Saturday, March 19, 2022
9am – 3pm
Live webinar
Register by March 18th
Cost: $45

Four expert speakers will provide inspiration, ideas, and information on garden basics that will appeal to all gardeners. The event is fully virtual, and there is a focus on native plants. See the website for the list of presenters. Presentations will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch for six months following the Symposium.  Titles include Super Tough Wildflowers and Things Your Tree Wish You Knew.  

FMN Quarterly Chapter Meeting, Plant NOVA Trees, March 21st

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Photo: J. Quinn

Monday, March 21, 2022
7 pm
Online
Email [email protected] for the link

Fairfax Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists will hold their Quarterly Chapter Meeting online on Monday, March 21st at 7 pm. There will be a short business meeting and Margaret Fisher will present on Plant NOVA Trees and the Role of Master Naturalists. Of course you do not have to be a master naturalist to appreciate this insightful presentation and ways you can help.

FMN is a founding partner of Plant NOVA Natives and continues to provide critical support. Learn about the regional native tree campaign and the many ways that each of us can contribute. As a preview, here is an example of the work of Plant NOVA Trees.

Margaret Fisher is a Fairfax Master Naturalist and one of the coordinators of Plant NOVA Natives/Plant NOVA Trees. She is also an Audubon-at-Home Ambassador, Fairfax Invasives Management volunteer site leader, and volunteer stream monitor.

Below the Surface: How Plants & Geology Interact, webinars March 8th & 15th

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Tuesdays, March 8 and 15, 2022
6:30 pm, meet and greet both evenings
Sessions start at 7pm and 8pm both evenings
Please register only once for both sessions

Join Virginia Native Plant Society for either or both evenings on geology and plants. March 8th’s sessions topics are Land Management Lessons from Piedmont Prairies and Virginia’s Geology. On March 15th the topics are Geology and Soil Parent Materials as Determinants of Natural Communities in Virginia and the Carolinas and Beyond Substrates.

Evening Woodcock Walk

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Photo: Courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority

Evening Woodcock Walk

When: Wednesday, 3/02/2022  5:30-7:00PM

Where: HUNTLEY MEADOWS LOCATION

3701 Lockheed Blvd.
Alexandria, VA,
Map of Huntley Meadows Park

Cost: $9.00

Click here for more information.

Register Online.

Event Description:

Take an evening stroll through the forest to one of the park’s largest meadows. Listen for the call of the male woodcock and hopefully see his amazing courtship dance and flight. Bring a flashlight. Approximately 1.5 mile walk on uneven terrain. Canceled if rain. Meets at the South Kings Highway entrance to the park.