The next week signals the start of a massive surge of migration into Northern Virginia. Each spring, 3.5 billion birds and 350 species cross the southern border of the United States on their way to nesting grounds in the northern states and Canada.

I ended up on the board of the ASNV because I was seduced by a creek.

I’ve asked myself on occasion what makes us birders?

It’s not all about the birds for me. My connection is with nature in general, an all-encompassing love and passion for Pachamama, Mother Earth in the Aymara language of my ancestors. 

The bird that sent me to the store for my first pair of binoculars and a field guide is the Yellow-crowned Night Heron.

I have been on the ASNV board for exactly one year, chairing the Citizen Science committee and participating in conservation initiatives. A year in I am impressed by the dedication and hard work of my fellow board members and our incredible partners, volunteers, and supporters.