While cold (about 20 degrees) when we began Saturday morning’s bird walk, it was a pleasant winter morning for birding as there was no wind and good light. The 12 birders on the regular monthly Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve bird walk observed 33 species and a flock of unidentified blackbirds. The highlights of the walk […]

Take in the beauty of the natural world and join us on this walk at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, a diverse 695-acre treasure in the heart of Loudoun County. This area of streams, trees, shrubs and fields attracts lots of species, making it a birding hotspot. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks and […]

The five people on the regular monthly (every 2nd Saturday) bird walk at the Banshee Reeks only found 23 species, probably because of the high winds, but did get great views of a posing Hermit Thrush, and heard virtually every call and song that White-throated Sparrows do. We also got good looks at a Fox Sparrow. The […]

Volume 23 Issue 3, Fall 2018 by Randy Bowman Randy is a local high school student who enjoys researching nature and sharing his thoughts and observations. Birds are one of the most dominant classes of organisms on this planet. They can be found on all continents and in all environments. Why are birds so successful, […]

On a cold and rainy morning, 4 of us (a big thank you to our dedicated walk leaders!) ventured about the area by the visitor’s center at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship (BRCES) while trying to stay somewhat dry and keep out of the way of the Boy Scout leader training that was […]

Photo by Allison Gallo Twelve birders met for the regular 4th Saturday of the month Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship (BRCES) walk.  After gathering at the visitors center, the group drove down to the Sawmill Road/Butterfly Alley area. At the start of the walk, a light drizzle and overcast skies threatened, but the rain […]

Birds are a priceless part of our heritage. They are not only a delight to observe, identify and photograph, but they also serve as bellwethers of our natural and cultural health. Join Allison Gallo and Bryan Henson for a family-friendly field trip to Algonkian Park observe migratory birds and discuss some of the threats they […]

Native plants bring birds—and beauty—to a landscape. Join local naturalists Sheila Ferguson and Gerco Hoogeweg for a program on how to use native plants to attract birds (and pollinators!) to your yard. Presented by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun County Public Library. Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org. Image by Katherine Daniels.

Volume 22 Issue 3, Fall 2017 by Donna Quinn In early autumn, large groups of Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) gather and begin their migration to South America. In a magnificent spectacle, as many as 10,000 swifts will create a tornado-like vortex funneling into a roosting chimney to spend the night during their migration. Chimney Swifts are found in open sky over cities, towns, lakes, rivers and […]

On the morning of May 27, 10 people gathered for Loudoun Wildlife’s regular (every 4th Saturday) monthly bird walk at the Blue Ridge Center of Environmental Stewardship in northwestern Loudoun County. We found 73 species of which the highlights included 11 warbler species, including dynamite looks at both Blue-winged and Kentucky Warblers, glimpses of a Cerulean, […]