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.
Observations from Meadowood: July-August 2023
Judy Gallagher is an ASNV board member and a regular surveyor of local wildlife who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species.
Monday Mystery - July 17, 2023
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery.
The Audubon Name
The National Audubon Society (NAS) was named after John James Audubon in recognition of his contribution to the natural history of North America.
Trails Can Harm Natural Resources
Trails through natural areas have undeniable benefits, including improving our mental well-being, providing access for outdoor education programs, and reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions if people use them instead of driving cars.
Front Yard Landscaping, Reimagined
Originality has not been what springs to mind when looking at most front yards, but now people are starting to tweak the conventions by putting native plants front and center on their properties.
Arlington’s Nesting Ravens
This spring Arlington residents who have not spent enough time further away to observe the breeding and nesting cycle of the Common Raven had a rare treat.
Say “NO” to Both Mosquitoes and Mosquito Control Companies
It’s that time of year again, and even though we’ve had a couple of cool, rainy days in May, summer is upon us. That means the dreaded mosquitoes are beginning to make their move.
Plant This, Not That: Replacing Spanish Bluebells
I got some bad news recently. I picked up a new edition of “Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas” and found that one of my favorite bulbs, Hyacinthoides hispanica, or Spanish Bluebells, is a new entry, its invasive qualities manifesting in my area.
Recovering Our Night Sky for People and Wildlife
Remember the last time you saw the Milky Way? Around 33 percent of the world’s population can’t see it. In North America, nearly 80 percent of us cannot.
Shopping for the birds
Warm weather has many of us headed to the garden center, where lovely blooms await. Did you know that those shopping trips can double as one of the most effective ways to contribute to a healthier environment?
Why Did the Canada Goose Cross the Road?
Ah, the notorious Canada Goose. We see them on golf courses, at parks, on corporate office campuses, near ponds, and of course, casually crossing busy roads in suburban neighborhoods.
Welcome Back Yellow Warblers
Spring is a busy time for bird-watchers in northern Virginia as flocks of tiny warblers migrate through our area to northern breeding grounds. But there are some that migrate to northern Virginia to breed, and it’s exciting to welcome them back.
Observations from Meadowood: May 2023
Judy Gallagher is an ASNV board member and a regular surveyor of local wildlife who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species.
Plant This, Not That: Replacing Bush Honeysuckle
Some invasive plants are sneaky. They pop up in one’s garden without explanation or obvious origin and force gardeners to take action on the spot, lest they be forgotten and allowed to grow and spread. Some of the sneakiest are the Bush Honeysuckles, several species of Lonicera with Eurasian origins.
Monday Mystery - May 1, 2023
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery.
Calling All Birders: It's Time to Get Ready for Birdathon 2023!
Birdathon helps ASNV continue to support outdoor education, citizen science and habitat conservation, and encourages people to plant native plants and foster native wildlife.
Deer Management
Deer are eating our understory, presenting another threat to woodlands already endangered by invasive plants, climate change, and development.
Landscapers’ Conference in Spanish
One hundred and thirty-five landscape professionals attended a conference on sustainable landscaping on February 15 on the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
New Barn Owl Box Installed in Northern Virginia
The ASNV Conservation Committee is excited to announce the successful installation of a new barn owl nesting box in an unused silo in a park near Leesburg.
Want birds and butterflies? Plant native shrubs!
When it comes to the curb appeal of our houses and other buildings, the difference between starkly naked and softly clothed is the shrubs. What is a shrub, anyway?