Photo: Northern Shovelers, Renda Glick/Audubon Photography Awards
When: Sunday, December 21, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Riverbend Park Visitor’s Center, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA
Join Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) for a winter waterfowl watch at Riverbend Park where more than 190 species of birds have been spotted! Your guide for this event is John Colpoys, an avid birder and experienced bird guide for NVBA.
Please meet at 9:00 AM outside of the visitor center, on the concrete patio area next to the awning. The park's Visitor Center, located located at 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA 22066.
After brief introductions, the group will walk to the nearby bank of the Potomac River to look for waterfowl species. Depending on the weather, your guide may also lead a short additional walk. Please dress appropriately for the conditions and bring binoculars if you have them.
Parking Information
Parking is available just outside the visitor center, but space is limited so we recommend carpooling and arriving early when possible. According to the park’s website, Riverbend Park experiences high visitation weekends and holidays, typically between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Though NVBA has coordinated with the park, if the parking lot reaches capacity, entry will be paused until enough parking spaces open. During these delays, vehicles may not park near the entrance sign or along Jeffery Road to wait. Please respect the park’s neighbors and consider returning another time. Riverbend Park staff will be directing traffic and parking please be respectful and follow their instructions.
Additional Site Information
Tucked away along a remote stretch of river, Riverbend Park spans more than 400 acres of forest, meadows, and ponds. Its trails include a 2.5-mile segment of the Potomac Heritage Trail, connecting national and regional parklands. The park’s visitor center is open Monday and Wednesday - Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Inside, guests will find snacks, gifts, and engaging exhibits, and a naturalist is on hand to answer questions during operating hours. Outside, a deck with chairs and tables offers lovely views of the Potomac River. This will be our meeting spot and is an ideal location to relax and enjoy a snack after a bird walk or hike. The park's restrooms are also located on the visitor center deck.
Cancellation Policies for NVBA Bird Outings
Everyone’s safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. Occasionally, we may need to postpone or cancel an outing to protect the well-being of participants or guides. Whenever possible, we will notify you at least 48 hours in advance; however, last-minute changes may be necessary. Outings may be canceled or postponed for reasons such as:
Unsafe air quality
Guide illness
Extreme weather, including: Lightning within 10 miles of the event location, temperatures above 90°, heavy thunderstorms, snow, or hail.
If an outing must be canceled on the day of the event, we will do our best to email all registered participants as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility!
Pre-registration is not required for NVBA Bird Outings, but it helps us prepare and allows us to contact participants in case of last-minute cancellations (see cancellation policies below.) Otherwise, the walk will take place as scheduled.
Questions? Contact NVBA’s Community Engagement Coordinator, McKenzie, at mckenzie@nvbirdalliance.org.