Photo: Pileated Woodpeckers, Anne Bielamowicz/NVBA Photo Contest
Join us for a workshop or class! Here are a few of our upcoming offerings. Check our calendar often for updates.
NVBA’s Bird of the Year: Woodpeckers with Matt Felperin
Pileated Woodpeckers, Anne Bielamowicz/NVBA Photo Contest
Join NVBA and special guest Matt Felperin for a virtual event on National Bird Day (January 5th) to celebrate our 2026 Bird of the Year. After a brief discussion on why NVBA chose the Pileated Woodpecker as our inaugural Bird of the Year, Matt will expand the conversation to woodpeckers as a whole. His presentation will include fun woodpecker facts, identification tips, where to find woodpeckers in Northern Virginia, and conclude with time for questions!
When: Monday, January 5, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Online
Fee: FREE but registration is required
The Effects of Climate Breakdown on Birds with Bill Young
American Redstart, Kamala Raghavan/NVBA Photo Contest
In this course, taught by Bill Young, we'll discuss how climate change affects birds--which species will adapt and which are vulnerable. The course is intended for a general audience, with no special knowledge of birds needed.
When: Wednesday, January 7, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Online
Members: $65; $45 early bird special pricing through January 2
Non-member: $75; $55 early bird special pricing through January 2
Students (for adults 25 and under): $10
Winter Waterfowl Watch at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Northern Shoveler, Stan Bysshe
Join us for a winter waterfowl watch at beautiful Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. On this guided walk, you’ll explore the refuge’s diverse waterfowl species with naturalist Andreas Seiter.
When: Saturday, January 17, 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Where: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191; meet at the Visitor Information Center.
Fee: FREE, but registration is appreciated
DCBA x NVBA Winter Crow Watch at Shirlington Roost
Crows gathering at Shirlington roost, McKenzie Ingram
Join NVBA and our partners at DC Bird Alliance for a Winter Crow Watch at the Shirlington roost located in Arlington, VA. You’re in for a show as the crows gather here in numbers so large it actually appears on radar!
When: Saturday, January 17, 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
Fee: FREE
Raptor Rehabilitation and Rodenticide Awareness with Dr. Belinda Burwell
Red-shouldered Hawks, Matt Strachan/NVBA Photo Contest
Join us for an afternoon of educational lectures covering the fundamentals of raptor rehabilitation. The course will be taught by certified wildlife rehabilitator and veterinarian Dr. Belinda Burwell and will cover essential raptor rehabilitation skills geared toward at-home rehabbers. Participants will also learn how rodenticides impact raptors negatively.
When: Saturday, January 24, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Where: National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190
General Admission: $25
Wildlife Rehabber Admission: $15
Alliance Afternoon: Searching for Lost Birds with John Mittermeier
American Kestrel, Randy Streufert/NVBA Photo Contest
Join us for our first Alliance Afternoon of 2026! We will kick off the meeting by conducting chapter business, followed by celebrations of the 2025 Christmas Bird Count and the 2026 Photo Contest Calendar. The agenda will then move into a discussion of upcoming advocacy opportunities and other chapter updates. Our featured presentation will be given by guest speaker John Mittermeier of the American Bird Conservancy, who will speak on the Search for Lost Birds.
When: Sunday, January 25, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: National Wildlife Federation Building, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190
Fee: FREE
You can also join us for a Bird Walk, Natural Resource Survey or Butterfly and Dragonfly survey.
Online Programs
Many of our programs are offered online, and we will provide recordings of as many of these events as possible and make them available here. Check back often, as we will add videos and resources as we receive them. Please enjoy!