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.
Citizen Scientists Are Down to Earth
National Geographic defines citizen science as “the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge.” Projects usually do not require specialized knowledge, and volunteers often train new ones.
Letter to Our Members: Spring Renewal - A Call to Action for All of Us
The equinox is a reminder that things begin again. Birds feel it before we do, returning, singing, coming back to the spaces they need. And that's exactly what I want us to think about this May during spring migration and the local nesting season: who gets to be in those spaces with them?
Uncertainty Looms at National Refuges, While Other Protected Areas in Virginia Expand
National Wildlife Refuges are entering a period of uncertainty that could undermine the vital protections they offer to around 800 bird species across the country. Northern Virginia’s refuges are not immune from the looming pressures, but area refuges outside the federal system are thriving.
Birding with Purpose: Six Principles for Ethical Birding
It’s the time of year when more of us are spending time outdoors, watching and photographing birds. It’s also a good time to review the principles of ethical birding.
Your Yard Can Help Save Our Streams
Northern Virginia’s stream and river water quality is not great. Although agriculture is the largest contributor by far of nutrient and sediment loads in Virginia’s streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay, urban and suburban stormwater runoff is the second-largest and the fastest-growing contributor to these pollutants.
Victims of Window Collisions May Help Scientists
Sadly, many of us have come across a dead bird, whether near a window or out on a trail, often a result of its collision with a window or other object. When birds do die, can they be of use to scientists?
Milkweed Bugs and Other Seed Bugs
Milkweed will be blooming soon, and with it come Milkweed Bugs. Milkweed Bugs are true bugs, part of the Lygaeidae or Seed Bug family. As the name implies, most species in this family eat seeds, but some can also eat other plant parts. Like all other true bugs, they have piercing-sucking mouthparts, well adapted for piercing hard seeds.
Wildlife Sanctuary Almanac: Your Neighbors' Trees
Once any of us becomes aware of the threat to our community’s trees from invasive vines, walking through our own neighborhoods can be a little frustrating. What if you could help those trees in a friendly, neighborly way?
Here’s Another Reason to Get Rid of Your Invasive Japanese Barberry
If Japanese Barberry’s thorns, poisonous berries and dense thickets aren’t enough to convince you to get rid of it, here’s another reason.
Letter to Our Members: Right Now Is a Great Time to Get Rid of Your Invasive Plants
The Virginia Legislature has passed legislation, now awaiting the Governor’s signature, which will help combat the spread of invasive plants. But the new laws don’t do anything about the invasive plants in your own, or your neighbors’, yards. Here are a few that are at the top of my Enemies List, along with some suggestions on what to replace them with.
Thompson Wildlife Management Area in Spring
During the transition from winter to spring, nature shows off. There are a trillion different emerging sights, but few as captivating as the trilliums (Trilliaceae family).
Spring in Virginia: Some Birders’ Thoughts
After snow flurries and a couple of cold snaps this past month, here are a couple things local birders are looking forward to in April.
Why I Keep Coming Back: Birding and Photography Along Marumsco Creek
My favorite birding spot is Veterans Memorial Park in Woodbridge. I keep coming back for the surprises that appear around every bend in the trail.
It's Time for Birdathon!
As spring arrives in northern Virginia, we’re looking forward to Birdathon 2026, our biggest and most FUN fundraiser of the year!
The Birds Are Coming! It’s Time to Turn Off Your Lights at Night
Time to turn off your lights to help migrating birds coming to or through our area! Learn more about the importance of darkness to migrating birds.
Judging a Plant by its Label
Finding natives in commercial garden centers can be challenging. Plant labels, excepting those that Plant NOVA Native volunteers have already tagged in red as “Native,” rarely offer much information and use terms that can be confusing. Here are some definitions and tips to help you find exactly what the biodiversity of the region needs.
A Closer Look: Nature All Around Us, April 2026
Judy Gallagher is an NVBA board member and a regular surveyor of local wildlife who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species.
Wildlife Sanctuary Almanac: Plant a Butterfly Nursery in the Shade
Everybody loves butterflies, but caterpillars can be less charismatic. However, without caterpillars, we don’t have butterflies.
Letter to Our Members: Handling the Cold
I expect that many of you have wondered during the past frigid, snowy, and icy weeks, “How can birds survive the winter here?” That question has had me thinking too, and the answer seems to boil down (pun intended, see below) to two types of responses, i.e., behavioral and physiological, or a combination of the two.
Tundra Swans
You still have time, if you’re lucky, to see one of our most spectacular winter visitors: the Tundra Swan. Hundreds of these graceful white birds spend the winter in the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac from November through mid-March. When they gather in large flocks, the sight is unforgettable.