Springtime Bird Outing with the Bureau of Land Management and the NPS Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, April 25th
Photo: Indigo Bunting, Randy Streufert – NVBA Photo Contest
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 AM 11:00 AM
Meadwood Special Recreation Area
10702 Harley RoadLorton, VA, 22079United States (map)
FREE, but registration is requested
Join participants for a springtime bird walk with Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) partners, National Park Service Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and the Bureau of Land Management, on National Go Birding Day! Together you will explore the diverse bird species that inhabit Meadowood Special Recreation Area. This event is also during the 2026 iNaturalist City Nature Challenge for those looking to participate in the observation period.
Plan to arrive by 9:00 A.M. to meet your guides at the Mustang Trailhead, located at 10702 Harley Road, Lorton, VA 22079. Together, everyone will hike and explore Mustang Meadow and the Thompson Creek Loop Trail. Please note that this outing will cover approximately one to three miles.
Getting There & Additional Site Information
Go south on I-95 to Exit 163 toward Lorton. Turn left onto Lorton Road at the end of the exit ramp. Pass under the second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market Street (you will see Panera and Planet Fitness). Continue about 1.5 miles to the traffic light at Route 1. Go straight through the light (the road name changes to Gunston Road). In about 1.5 miles, you will pass the main entrance to Meadowood on the right. About half a mile later, you will see a large green pavilion—turn right onto Harley Road, then take the next right into the Mustang Trail Parking Lot.
The Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) offers 13.4 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of horseback riding trails, and 6.6 miles of mountain biking trails. The site includes two fishing ponds (one of which is universally accessible), 800 acres of forest and meadow habitat, environmental education programs, equestrian facilities, geocaching opportunities, and birdwatching. Learn more on BLM’s Meadowood webpage.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) partners with Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) volunteers to provide educational stewardship programs and guided events at Meadowood SRMA in Lorton, Virginia. For over 20 years, NVBA has supported the site through volunteer surveys, guided programs, stewardship projects, and educational activities focused on local species populations.
What should you bring?
Binoculars are helpful but not required for birding. There will be a limited number of loaner pairs available for participants to use. Guides will also be using the eBird app to record and report sightings during the outing; you are encouraged to download the free app and set up an account ahead of time. Please note that trails can be muddy after heavy rain or snow. Organizers recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good traction, especially for the boardwalk sections. Strollers are not permitted on the boardwalk.
Cancellation Policies for NVBA Bird Outings
Everyone’s safety and enjoyment are top priorities. Occasionally, there may be a need to postpone or cancel an outing to protect the well-being of participants or guides. Whenever possible, you will be notified at least 48 hours in advance; however, last-minute changes may be necessary. Outings may be canceled or postponed for reasons such as:
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Unsafe air quality
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Guide illness
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Extreme weather, including: Lightning within 10 miles of the event location, temperatures above 90°, heavy thunderstorms, snow, or hail.
If an outing must be canceled on the day of the event, organizers will do their best to email all registered participants as soon as possible and/or post the cancellation on their website. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility!
Questions? Contact NVBA’s Community Engagement Coordinator, McKenzie, at mckenzie@nvbirdalliance.org.
