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.
April 2021
Like many people, I’m becoming increasingly eager to get out and travel as the pandemic eases and vaccinations are becoming more widely available.
Calling all Birders: It’s time to get ready for Birdathon 2021!
Birdathon helps ASNV continue to support outdoor education, citizen science and habitat conservation, and encourage people to plant native plants and foster native wildlife.
Birdathon 2021: When is Peak Landbird Migration in NoVA and DC?
More and more information exists to help determine the peak of migration in any given place. However, in Northern Virginia, we have a golden gem of a resource that highlights anything you might want to know about spring migration of landbirds – it’s a website called MPNature.
Go Green, Go Native
Read Glenda Booth’s article in the Mt. Vernon Gazette on choosing nature over a manicured lawn.
Apply Soon for ASNV Grants and Scholarships!
Deadlines are approaching for ASNV’s grant and scholarship offerings. Apply soon!
Osprey Killing a Crow in Alexandria, VA
Carol Stalun, who is a skilled and talented nature photographer, took photos of an Osprey killing a crow. This is probably the first incident, documented with photographs, of an Osprey killing a wild bird.
Robin Duska is Virginia Master Naturalist Volunteer of the Year
Former Audubon at Home Co-Director and ASNV Board member, Robin Duska was recognized by the Virginia Master Naturalist state board as their 2020 Volunteer of the Year.
Fatally Flawed Insecticides – Neonicotinoids
Neonics are systemic (absorbed by the plant) and are often applied to seeds before the seeds are sown so the growing plant takes up the pesticide. Neonics are used for both farming and landscaping, exposing all pollinators to their damaging effects.
Thinking about Spring with Audubon at Home’s Guidance
As we finally begin to emerge from this dark and isolated winter, many of us are thinking about getting outdoors into the garden.
Where to Find Native Plants
The Plant NOVA Natives website maintains a list of native-only plant sellers and updates its list of seasonal native plant sales in our 4-county region.
A Fondness for a Scrappy Bird
The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is an opportunistic omnivore. Much like your common Rock Pigeon, they are known to take advantage of leftover food that humans leave behind, in addition to bugs, berries and seeds that are present nearby.
Learn About Warblers Online
Watch ASNV’s pre-recorded four-part program about warblers on our Online Programs page.
April Bird of the Month
When you start hearing Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) singing, it’s a sure sign that spring is finally here in Northern Virginia.
Monday Mystery - March 29, 2021
Monday Nature Mystery continues! Read on to learn who correctly identified our last mystery.
Hosting Cavity Nesting Birds in your Yard
Encouraging cavity nesting birds in suburban yards requires knowledge of birds and insects and how to support them. Larry Cartwright shared his knowledge with AAH Ambassadors in February.
Observations from Meadowood: March
Judy Gallagher continues to survey Meadowood Recreation Area during the pandemic. Here are some findings from her most recent survey.
March 2021
How much time do you spend looking at wildlife? Watching wildlife can be an important antidote to the stresses of everyday life.
Apply for a Conservation Grant!
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia is offering Conservation Grants of up to $4,000.
Audubon at Home Invites Grant Applications
We are very pleased to announce that ASNV’s Audubon at Home Program, in partnership with the Plant NOVA Natives campaign, has been awarded a grant of $15,000 to demonstrate the concept that native plantsan fit nicely into a conventional suburban aesthetic.
Youth Education Mini-grants
Are you an educator with a great idea for a bird-related conservation project with your students? The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) is sponsoring a mini-grant program in 2021 to help teachers, schools and non-profit organizations educate youth about birds and the environment.