Audubon Afternoon: Raptor Senses and Abilities
Secret Garden Birds and Bees will share some of the amazing things we’ve learned about raptor adaptations – from vision and hearing to beaks and talons.
Photo: Red-shouldered Hawk, Evelyn Garcia/Audubon Photography Awards
Original program date: June 2, 2024
Did you know that barn owls are the only raptors with a pectinate talon – like a tiny comb – to preen their feathers? You probably know that eagles have excellent eyesight, but do you know how their vision is tested? Why don’t hawks fall off their perch while they sleep? Is it because one side of their brain sleeps while the other is awake to hold on – or is it something else? Do you know why owl eyes are more forward facing than hawk eyes? It might not be what you think! Do you know why screech owls sometimes have smelly poop? Secret Garden Birds and Bees will share some of the amazing things we’ve learned about raptor adaptations – from vision and hearing to beaks and talons.
Lunch & Learn: Birds of South Africa with Andrew de Blocq
Join us for a virtual trip to South Africa, where you can immerse yourself into the splendor and beauty of birds of South Africa!
Photo: Carmine Bee-eater on a Kori Bustard, David Russell/Audubon Photography Awards
Original program date: January 31, 2024
Imagine waking up tomorrow in South Africa - you look outside your window and you see a completely foreign bird - mainly green plumage, with metallic, purple-blue back, upper wings and upper tail, and crimson primaries visible in flight. It has a prominent, white-tipped crest, white markings around the eyes, red eye rings, and a short, red bill. You would be seeing the Knysna Loerie!
Join us for a virtual trip to South Africa, where you can immerse yourself into the splendor and beauty of birds of South Africa! Our speaker, Andrew de Blocq, will be speaking to us from South Africa to cover some of the area’s species, taking special note of some of the more sought-after birds to get excited for! These include some spectacular and charismatic species like the Secretarybird, Knysna Turaco, Kori Bustard, Cape Vulture, Southern Ground-hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, African Jacana, and the national bird of South Africa, the Blue Crane. Andrew also will talk about BirdLife South Africa and its conservation work.
2024 Ducks and Waterfowl Identification with Greg Butcher
Join Greg Butcher for the 2024 edition of this wonderful introduction to waterfowl identification.
Photo: Green-winged Teals, James Fatemi/Audubon Photography Awards
Original program date: January 25, 2024
Join Greg Butcher, ASNV board member and retired migratory species coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service International Programs, for an introduction to waterfowl identification. Get to know many of the species that winter in the open waters of our region. You’ll learn how to tell a Bufflehead from a Hooded Merganser, and, you’ll learn the features (and hear the call) of the beautiful Tundra Swans that winter in Northern Virginia. Strategies will include identification by shape and color pattern.
Federal and Local Bills that Protect Birds with ABC's Steve Holmer
Join Steve Holmer, Vice-President of Policy for American Bird Conservancy, for a discussion of opportunities to advance bird conservation through advocacy.
Photo: U.S. Capitol Building, Photo by Wikimedia user Raul654
Original program date: December 5, 2023
Overuse of pesticides, urban sprawl, habitat destruction, and invasive species all are major threats to birds in the Western Hemisphere. Birds also die from collisions with windows and predation by cats. Join Steve Holmer, Vice-President of Policy for American Bird Conservancy, for a discussion of opportunities to advance bird conservation through advocacy. Steve highlights pending federal bills and regulations, as well as legislation in Virginia that citizens can support to better protect the birds they love.
American Bird Conservancy is a national non-profit membership organization with the mission of conserving wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas.
Winter Bird Feeding Workshop with Greg Butcher
Greg Butcher offers tips about increasing the number and variety of birds that visit your backyard this winter.
Photo: Northern Cardinal, Alexis Hayes
Original program date: November 29, 2023
Greg Butcher offers tips about increasing the number and variety of birds that visit your backyard this winter. In addition, he introduces you to Project FeederWatch, a program of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology that allows you and your family to contribute to science.
Greg Butcher is a Ph.D. ornithologist and former ASNV board member. Now retired, Greg worked for the U.S. Forest Service, the National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Partners in Flight, Birder’s World magazine, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Greg is a lively and informative public speaker and interpreter for bird conservation and ecology worldwide.
Audubon Afternoon: Raptor Rehab with Liz Dennison
Liz Dennison will join us to talk about what rehabbers actually do to help injured or sick birds recover, how they give orphaned raptors the best chance of survival in the wild, some of the more interesting cases they’ve seen, and the physical and emotional toll of being a rehabber.
Photo: Red-shouldered Hawk, Peter Brannon/Audubon Photography Awards
Original program date: June 4, 2023
This year’s topic is “Raptor Rehab,” presented by Secret Garden Birds and Bees. Liz Dennison will join us to talk about what rehabbers actually do to help injured or sick birds recover, how they give orphaned raptors the best chance of survival in the wild, some of the more interesting cases they’ve seen, and the physical and emotional toll of being a rehabber. Liz will also give practical information about what you can do if you find an injured wild animal. She will be bringing several live raptors for this program! A great opportunity to see birds of prey up-close.
Competitive Birding and Birdathon
Join us for a webinar with ornithologist Greg Butcher to learn some strategies of competitive birding right here in Northern Virginia.
Photo: Birding, Laura McDonald
Original program date: March 30, 2023
Competitive birding is using one’s birding skills to try to identify the most bird species possible in a set period, such as over a year. For example, Tiffany Kersten saw 726 different species of birds in 2022, beating a previous record. The 2011 movie Big Year, featuring Jack Black, is a great depiction of three competitive birdwatchers on a year-long birding adventure.
Join us for a webinar with ornithologist Greg Butcher to learn some strategies of competitive birding right here in Northern Virginia. You will learn the best places to go to see the most species, how to time your big day to hit peak migration numbers, what to consider when forming your team, and more!
Also, we are excited to have youth birder Maxwell Julius join us to tell us about his experience doing Birdathon last year and his tips to maximize your list.
Audubon Afternoon: Restoring Migratory Bird Wintering Habitats in Latin America and the Caribbean with Marci Eggers
Marci Eggers is the Director of Migratory Bird Habitats in Latin America and the Caribbean for the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). In this role, she oversees ABC’s efforts to protect and restore priority landscapes that migratory birds depend on in their non-breeding grounds.
Photo: Marci Eggers
Original program date: March 12, 2023
Watch this recording of our live Audubon Afternoon for a presentation by Marci Eggers, “Restoring Migratory Bird Wintering Habitat in Latin America and the Caribbean.” Marci Eggers is the Director of Migratory Bird Habitats in Latin America and the Caribbean for the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). In this role, she oversees ABC’s efforts to protect and restore priority landscapes that migratory birds depend on in their non-breeding grounds. ABC works in collaboration with ranchers, farmers, and local communities that depend on the health of the natural environment for their livelihoods. ABC also works on innovative finance solutions to advance migratory bird conservation.
Audubon Afternoon: Birds of a Feather with Carla Dove
Watch this recording of our live Audubon Afternoon to learn more about the work of Dr. Carla Dove, a scientist with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who does specialized research in the microscopic identification of feathers.
Photo: Carla Dove
Original program date: January 22, 2023
Watch this recording of our live Audubon Afternoon to learn more about the work of Dr. Carla Dove, a scientist with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who does specialized research in the microscopic identification of feathers. Her presentation offers beautiful images of microscopic feather structures that she uses to help identify birds at the lab. She also shares stories and answers questions from the audience about the Smithsonian Museum's collection of 500,000 bird specimens.
Project FeederWatch with Greg Butcher
This workshop will cover a bit of Project FeederWatch history, its purpose, tips for identifying birds, and the protocols to be followed while counting.
Photo: Eastern Bluebirds, Herbert Fechter/Audubon Photography Awards
Original program date: November 22, 2022
This workshop will cover a bit of Project FeederWatch history, its purpose, tips for identifying birds, and the protocols to be followed while counting.
Greg Butcher is a Ph.D. ornithologist and ASNV board member. In addition to the U.S. Forest Service, Greg has worked for the National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Partners in Flight, Birder’s World magazine, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Greg is a lively and informative public speaker and interpreter for bird conservation and ecology worldwide.
Madagascar: Exploring a Biodiversity Hotspot Through Its Lemurs and Birds
This mother-daughter scientist team will immerse the audience in the fascinating biodiversity of Madagascar.
Photo: Collared Nightjar, Elizabeth Lyons
Original program date: May 17, 2022
This mother-daughter scientist team will immerse the audience in the fascinating biodiversity of Madagascar. In 2018 they were able to explore many regions of Madagascar, from its spiny forests in the southwest, to the high plateaus in the country’s center, to the lush mountainous forests of the northeast. Based on their first-hand experience with Madagascar as a biodiversity hotspot, they will focus on its famous lemurs, a group of primates found only in Madagascar, and its suite of endemic birds. They will discuss some of the recently extinct animals, the human impacts that continue to challenge the island nation, and conservation efforts being undertaken to protect Madagascar’s unique biological richness. They will also reflect on their scientific career paths in hopes of helping young women and girls pursue their own passions in environmentalism and science.
World Migratory Bird Day Workshop: Lights Out for Birds
In the workshop, Greg Butcher shares simple steps that everyone can take to reduce light pollution and help birds.
Photo: Miguel Eduardo Matta Pereira / World Migratory Bird Day
Original program date: May 5, 2022
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is May 14, 2022. This year’s campaign highlights the impact of light pollution on migratory birds with the theme “Dim the Lights for Birds at Night.” Join us on May 5 for a WMBD virtual workshop led by Greg Butcher, ASNV Vice-President and Migratory Species Coordinator for U.S. Forest Service International Programs.
In the workshop, Greg shares simple steps that everyone can take to reduce light pollution and help birds. Most bird migration in the Americas occurs at night, with birds using stars and the moon to guide them. Urban and suburban lights increasingly outshine or lessen natural light sources, confusing the migrating birds. That confusion can slow or misdirect birds in the middle of an already strenuous journey. People are the source of this light pollution and people can take action to reduce it.
Native Plant Communities with Matt Bright
Enjoy this presentation on “Earth Sangha’s Native Plant Compendium, Plant Communities and Native Plant Selection” given by Matt Bright, Conservation Manager for Earth Sangha.
Photo: New York Ironweed, Matt Bright
Original program date: March 19, 2022
Audubon at Home Ambassadors held their annual Potluck Ambassadors’ Brunch at the Fairfax County Government Center on March 19—a welcome gathering, their first in two years. Thirty-two Ambassadors attended, and enjoyed a presentation on “Earth Sangha’s Native Plant Compendium, Plant Communities and Native Plant Selection” given by Matt Bright, Conservation Manager for Earth Sangha.
Fireside Chat: Reflecting on Winter and Moving Into Spring
Winter is a mysterious time, good for reflection. As winter melts into spring, join us for a discussion about wildlife enduring our coldest season, and what we might learn from their wise tricks.
Photo: Mike Erskine via Unsplash
Original program date: March 24, 2022
Winter is a mysterious time, good for reflection. As winter melts into spring, join us for a discussion about wildlife enduring our coldest season, and what we might learn from their wise tricks. Tom Wood and Judy Gallagher will share winter tales and photo Haiku from our quiet season, but we want to hear your winter stories too! Select your winter images and make Photo Haikus while your thoughts remain cool and crisp.
Audubon Afternoon: The Evolution of Birds with Douglas Futuyma
Join Douglas Futuyma, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, for a presentation on how birds evolved and continue to evolve.
Book cover courtesy of Douglas Futuyma
Original program date: March 27, 2022
We all learned that dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago - but now we know that they are still with us today. Join Douglas Futuyma, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, for a presentation on how birds evolved and continue to evolve. How did birds become so diverse, and spread throughout the world? Why are many of them so brightly colored? Join us to learn the answers to these questions and more. Youth 14+ who are interested in science and animals may enjoy this presentation.
Great Backyard Bird Count Workshop
This workshop covers the history of GBBC, its purpose, tips for identifying birds, and the protocols to be followed while counting.
Photo: Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee, Gary Mueller/GBBC
Original program date: February 3, 2022
Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time.
Now, hundreds of thousands of people, all ages and walks of life worldwide, join the four-day count each February to create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds.
This workshop covers the history of GBBC, its purpose, tips for identifying birds, and the protocols to be followed while counting.
2022 Winter Waterfowl Workshop
Join Greg Butcher, ASNV board member and migratory species coordinator for US Forest Service International Programs, for an introduction to waterfowl identification.
Photo: Green-winged Teals, James Fatemi/Audubon Photography Awards
Original program date: January 27, 2022
Join Greg Butcher, ASNV board member and migratory species coordinator for US Forest Service International Programs, for an introduction to waterfowl identification. Get to know many of the species that winter in the open waters of our region. You’ll learn how to tell a Bufflehead from a Hooded Merganser, and, with luck, you will see the beautiful Tundra Swans that winter in our area. Strategies will include identification by shape and color pattern.
Fireside Chat: Celebrate Swans
Join us for a celebration of the return of the swans! This chat will be swan-themed and inspire you to visit our wintering Tundra Swans as they majestically return with fanfare from the great north.
Photo: Mike Erskine via Unsplash
Original program date: December 2, 2021
Join us for a celebration of the return of the swans! This chat will be swan-themed and inspire you to visit our wintering Tundra Swans as they majestically return with fanfare from the great north. Think all things swan, swan songs, photo haikus and poetry, prose and art. Dr. Wood will have swan stories to tell. Bring your best stories, artistic creations, and discoveries to share! This is a great chance to keep up with your photo haikus.
Audubon Afternoon: Birds of Jamaica with Dr. Herlitz Davis
Join Dr. Herlitz Davis for a personal journey through Jamaica, from Cockpit Country to the Blue Mountains.
Photo: Dr. Herlitz Davis
Original program date: November 14, 2021
Join Dr. Herlitz Davis for a personal journey through Jamaica, from Cockpit Country to the Blue Mountains. Dr. Davis will introduce you to the fascinating Avifauna of Jamaica through stories of his life growing up in nature, and through his doctoral research at George Mason University and the Smithsonian Institution. If you like good coffee, if you like hummingbirds and owls, if you like adventure, you will like this presentation!
Celebrate Moth Week with Judy Gallagher
Join us to learn about the mysterious world of Moths, and gain some information about identifying them.
Photo: Io Moth, Judy Gallagher
Original program date: Thursday, July 29, 2021
You all know something about butterflies but you probably don't know much about their cousins, the moths. Did you know many adult moths eat nectar but others don't eat at all as adults? Join us to learn about the mysterious world of Moths, and gain some information about identifying them.