NVBA News Blog
American Robin. Photo: Mick Thompson/Audubon Photography Awards
Welcome to the blog for Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, a wealth of resources about northern Virginia birds, wildlife, habitat conservation and restoration, native plants, wildlife-friendly gardening, advocacy and more.
Be Nice to your Trees
We all try to stay in the shade in hot weather, competing for the parking spaces under trees. What we may not realize is that tree-lined neighborhoods are cooler not just because of the shade but because the trees themselves act as air conditioners.
Appreciating Hummingbirds and Their Aerial Acrobatics
This summer I traveled to San Diego for the first time and a highlight of the trip was the San Diego Zoo. The park’s thoughtful landscaping serves the animal exhibits but also attracts wild visitors, including a variety of hummingbird species.
Observations from Meadowood: September 2022
Judy Gallagher continues to survey Meadowood Recreation Area. Here are some findings from her most recent survey.
Monday Mystery - August 29
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery.
ASNV’s Birdathon Fundraiser Results in Record Donations and Number of Bird Species
Our chapter’s annual Birdathon competition raised a record amount of money and found a record number of birds this year.
Audubon’s 2022 Photography Awards
Prepare to spend some time in front of your computer or on your phone looking over Aubudon’s 2022 Photography Awards, both still photos and videos.
Nextgen Birders for Conservation: A New Program Targeting Younger Birders
ASNV is excited to announce the official launch of Nextgen Birders for Conservation (Nextgen). This new program aims to cultivate the next generation of birders and conservationists by providing opportunities for younger birders to meet, socialize, learn, and bird together.
Member Spotlight: Andreana J. Lin, Age 22
Andreana is a member of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia’s recently launched Nextgen Birders for Conservation meetup group, part of a new initiative to engage younger birders.
My ASNV Internship
I started working as an intern for ASNV this May, and I believe my experiences will help me pursue a career in conservation.
Free trees for communities
As community associations around Northern Virginia ramp up their native tree planting efforts, they are looking around to find ways to make it affordable.
Monday Mystery - July 18
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery.
June 2022 Bird of the Month
The Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), is one of only two North American warblers to nest in cavities. Prothonotaries nest in cavities already established by other woodpeckers and chickadees but they will also nest in boxes designed for their specific preferences.
ASNV Member Spotlight: James, Age 10
On a birding weekend at Chincoteague, I had the pleasure of meeting a young birder named James and his mother, Luisa. Birding has been really good for James - it was a safe activity to do during the pandemic and it also piqued his interest in nature in general.
ASNV Announces Candidates for Offices and the Board of Directors
These individuals have been nominated for positions on ASNV’s board. Read on to meet the candidates.
Last Call for Birdathon Donations
To celebrate migration and the nesting season, please donate to an ASNV Birdathon team if you haven’t already.
Youth Education Mini-grants Awarded
Each Spring ASNV awards Youth Education “mini-grants” to local schools and nonprofit organizations for projects involving youth that establish or enhance a learning experience about nature and conservation.
“Soaring to Greater Heights” Black Birders Week May 29 – June 4
June 1, 2022 is the fourth day of Black Birders Week, “Soaring to Greater Heights.” It continues an annual event intended to “…celebrate and highlight birding as a lifelong learning journey that is enjoyed by Black cultures across the diaspora.”
Let’s Go Birding Together!
Birding and being in nature are opportunities for everyone. Whether it’s for healing, respite, or peace, a walk in the outdoors can be especially meaningful to people who face discrimination, experience violence at higher rates, or are rejected by their families for being themselves.
UPDATE: A team of ASNV volunteers has translated Florence McBride’s book into Spanish!
As with the English version, the digital picture book on local birds, tailored to beginners, is available free of charge on the ASNV website.
Barred Owl Fledgling Leaves its Nest
Reston resident Dorli Bokel doesn’t consider herself a birder, but she loves the Barred Owls that she often hears nearby – especially the young ones.