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.
Nuisance Birds
It’s a conundrum. We want birds to visit us, but only certain species, and even under those conditions we want to see them on our terms.
Birdathon 2024
We’ll have a full report on the results of this year’s Birdathon at our June 2 Audubon Afternoon and Annual Meeting.
Shrink the lawn
If you grew up in suburbia, a pristine lawn was a welcome herald of spring. Everyone enjoys the smell of freshly mowed grass and the look of a well-kept, manicured lawn. So what, you might wonder, is the problem with turfgrass?
South Arlington’s Ravens
South Arlington birders were thrilled last year when Common Ravens, which had been haunting the Long Branch Nature Center area, built a nest on a Route 50 abutment where the roadway crosses the W&OD Trail. So, they were doubly pleased when the Ravens returned this year to the same nest.
Does Your Tree Company Speak for the Trees? Getting Help from the Pros
Some tree care companies do provide a free arborist consultation—but you still must analyze the wide range of recommendations you will get.
Wildlife Sanctuary Almanac: Fireflies
Is there a more magical sight than fireflies flashing on a June evening?
Insect Camouflage: Hiding from Jumping Spiders
Insects protect themselves from predation in a variety of ways, but one of the more unusual techniques is to resemble the predator they want to avoid.
Monday Mystery - May 27, 2024
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery.
Helping the Lovely Wood Thrush
One of the most anticipated sounds of spring in northern Virginia is the exquisite song of the returning Wood Thrush.
Humans and Trees Share a Common Enemy: Stress!
We all know that chronic stress affects our health and well-being, causing us to go into “fight or flight” mode. Ongoing stress also affects the health of trees.
Observations from Meadowood: May 2024
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.
Can you help advocate for your local government to adopt new environment-friendly legislation?
Conservation advocates lost several battles in the 2024 General Assembly, but did score a couple of wins that allow local governments to adopt some environment-friendly requirements. We can use your help in lobbying your local governments to adopt these measures.
Wildlife Sanctuary Almanac: Create a Mini-meadow
Springtime is for planting! If you’re looking for ideas for a sunny spot, think about creating a mini-meadow to bring pollinators to your yard
Monday Mystery - April 29 2024
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery.
A New View of the Landfill
A landfill can be more than a garbage dump. It can be a place of ecological renewal. The latest example at Fairfax County’s I-95 landfill is a plan to protect some of the landfill’s grassland habitat for ground-nesting birds and other wildlife.
It’s time to get ready for Birdathon 2024!
Birdathon, ASNV’s annual birding competition and fundraiser, is coming soon.
Mary Frase, Star Volunteer!
Mary Frase, who comes from several generations of family gardeners, tells anyone who asks her about her volunteering, “I grew up playing in the dirt and I still like to play there.” She turned this love into an extraordinary commitment to native habitat.
Help Your Local Parks!
If you haven’t yet taken the time to study the variety of nature in your local park, but you still appreciate it, you may also ask yourself how you, as a park user and community member can help protect the park’s resources.
Hog Island Scholarship Winner
ASNV’s Youth Education Committee has selected Jeanne Lukas-Ross of Clearview Elementary School in Herndon as the 2024 recipient of the ASNV scholarship to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon’s Hog Island nature camp in Maine.
The Tree Trimming Scammers
We often hear about telephone or online financial scams, but what about the “woodchucks” or tree scammers that arrive at your door? These are seasonal workers, usually untrained, uncertified, and unlicensed. Beware! They come bearing disaster for your trees, as well as your wallets.