Photo: Eastern Meadowlark, Mary Ellen Cross/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Sunday, May 9, 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Where: Meet at the Landfill Office, 9850 Hagel Road, Lorton
Fee: FREE, but space is limited to 18 participant; registration is required both on Eventbrite AND with Fairfax County Volunteer System - see below for link
Grasslands are one of the most threatened bird habitats in Northern Virginia and across the country. In the last few years NVBA has been working both to conserve these areas and also to facilitate access to these habitats for birdwatchers.
One place where we have been doing both is at the Fairfax County I-95 landfill. Although that location has been closed to birdwatchers since October 2025, NVBA has arranged a special visit on Saturday, May 9 at 7:00 am to allow our birdwatching community access to this unique site.
This outing will provide the opportunity to see grassland bird species found in few places in northern Virginia. Among the species we might see are Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissels, Eastern Meadowlarks, and American Kestrels. Bobolinks are a long shot, but at this time of year they’ll still be in migration and so frequenting large meadow patches.
Registration:
Participants must register both here in Eventbrite and also in the Fairfax Volunteer system. This volunteer system is fast and easy and requires that you fill out a Liability Waiver and sign a Code of Conduct document. On May 9 you must bring proof of your Fairfax Volunteer registration, i.e., the confirmation email you received, either in print form or on your phone.
Outing route:
The outing will proceed around the perimeter of the landfill as well as to sites in its center, in a caravan with all participants carpooling in just a few cars. At 8-10 spots participants can get out of the vehicles – but must stay close to them. We will look for birds in the 50-acre “No-Mow” zones where there is no mowing March-September, around the new 28-acre Solar Field, as well as along the edges of the grassland and forest.
Safety issues:
All participants must attend the brief safety presentation at the start of the event.
All participants must wear high-visibility safety vests. Please wear one if you have one, otherwise one will be provided.
Please wear closed-toe shoes/boots.
There are ticks on the landfill, so please take appropriate precautions.