A Letter to Our Members: Handling the Cold
Tufted Titmouse. Photo: Catherine McEntee/Audubon Photography Awards
I expect that many of you have wondered during the past frigid, snowy, and icy weeks, “How can birds survive the winter here?” That question has had me thinking too, and the answer seems to boil down to two types of responses, i.e., behavioral and physiological, or a combination of the two.
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Tundra Swans
Tundra Swans. Photo: Kent Blumberg
You still have time, if you’re lucky, to see one of our most spectacular winter visitors: the Tundra Swan. Hundreds of these graceful white birds spend the winter in the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac from November through mid-March. When they gather in large flocks, the sight is unforgettable.
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The Latest on Avian Influenza
Green-winged Teal. Photo: Gary Zahm/Audubon Photography Awards
Spring migration is about to bring millions of birds north along the Atlantic Flyway, a welcome sight for Virginia bird-lovers emerging from a season of persistent cold and stubborn snowbanks. With these birds, concern is also returning about a bird flu outbreak that has been active in the U.S. since early 2022.
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Their Time to Sleep
Winterberry in snow. Photo: Margaret Fisher
It’s March. Spring is coming, but when you glance outside it’s still cold and dark, sometimes snowy. But the marvel of plant dormancy is once again unfolding, unseen.
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Invasive Plant Legislation Moves Forward in the VA Legislature
Invasive vines. Photo: Valerie Morgan
The Virginia legislature appears to be intent on taking steps to slow the environmental and economic harm that invasive plants are causing.
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The I-95 Landfill's Becoming 'Birdy'
No-mow zone. Photo: Glenda Booth
Few people find visiting a landfill enticing, but some of our avian friends do. Grassland and other birds are using a closed portion of the I-95 landfill, according to a recently released Fairfax County report.
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Help Rescue Fairfax County Trees
Invasive vines on trees. Photo: Fairfax County Tree Rescuers
Celebrate the end of winter by helping Fairfax Tree Rescuers clip invasive vines and dig up invasive plants to save trees!
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A Closer Look: Nature All Around Us
Robber fly with lady beetle prey. Photo: Judy Gallagher
Judy Gallagher is an NVBA board member and a regular surveyor of local wildlife who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species.
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Wildlife Sanctuary Almanac: It's Spring! Is it Time to Plant?
Mertensia virginica. Photo: Cbaile, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Spring arrives on March 20. Those occasional warm sunny days that occur in early spring may signal that it is time to add to your native plant gardens. But don’t move too fast!
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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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Virginia's Amazing Vultures
Black Vultures. Photo: Joe Subolefsky/Audubon Photography Awards
Vultures are a critical component of the ecosystem but are often misunderstood and maligned. The presentation will explore the natural history of vultures in Virginia, the unique biology and ecology of vultures, global conservation concerns and human–vulture conflicts and mitigation strategies. Wildlife rehabilitator Heather Shank Givens will give a presentation on Virginia’s fascinating vultures and bring her black vulture, Dusty, a non-releasable vulture wildlife ambassador.
When: Sunday, March 8, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Mount Vernon Governmental Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306
Fee: FREE
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Birds in Watercolor: Pileated Woodpecker with Ronna Fujisawa
Image courtesy of Ronna Fujisawa
Join this virtual class to learn to paint NVBA's Bird of the Year: The Pileated Woodpecker!
When: Thursday, March 19, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Virtual
Members: $22
Non-members: $33
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Alliance Afternoon: Searching for Lost Birds with John Mittermeier
Ivory-billed Woodpeckers. Image: John James Audubon
Join us for our first Alliance Afternoon of 2026 (rescheduled from January)! Following a business meeting, the American Bird Conservancy’s John Mittermeier will speak on the Search for Lost Birds. Following the meeting guests are welcome to stay for a Volunteer Recruitment Fair. All are welcome to come early (2:00 PM) for snacks and to visit with members of our community.
When: Sunday, March 29, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: National Wildlife Federation Building, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190
Fee: FREE
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Bird Outings
Birding, Camila Cerea
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Check our Bird Outings page for upcoming events! Registration is requested for NVBA-sponsored outings to help our leaders prepare and communicate with participants.
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Volunteer with Us!
Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at NVBA, and we have many opportunities for you to get involved. Check our Volunteer page for a list of ongoing efforts and to fill out our general volunteer interest form. Watch our recorded Volunteer Orientation video to see the different kinds of volunteer activities we have available and learn how to get started. See you out there!
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Conservation Counts
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 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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National Audubon Society Action Network
The National Audubon Society invites all Auduboners to join its action 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.
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Too many emails? Now you can update your profile to let us know how often you'd like to receive email communications from NVBA.
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