Birdwatching in Virginia

Birding contacts and birdwatching information



Local Birdingpal Contacts

Local Birdwatchers Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away. Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club. _____________________________________________________________ We want to hear about your experiences with Birdingpals. Please contact us with any comments or suggestions you have. CONTACT US _____________________________________________________________
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
		A	Seiter	Alexandria	Anytime	English
		There are many birding hotspots and a lively birder community in Northern Virginia. I am a member of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and the local chapter of Audubon. While not an expert birder, I am able to identify about 95% of birds that are regularly seen in the area, and know where to find them. I'd also be happy to bring guests along to the bird walks organized by local clubs (typically on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays). My favorite area hotspots are Huntley Meadows, Occoquan NWR, Mason Neck NWR, Dyke Marsh. I recently retired, meaning my schedule is relatively flexible and I will try to accommodate if a fellow birder is in the region and wants to see some of the local birds.		Area: Alexandria, VA is 30 min from downtown Washington DC. Huntley Meadows, Occoquan NWR, Mason Neck NWR, Dyke Marsh. Area Birds: Tundra Swan (in winter); Ring-necked Duck; Wilson's Snipe; Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs; Solitary Sandpiper; Cooper's Hawk; Bald Eagle; Osprey; Barred Owl; Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Yellow-billed Cuckoo; Belted Kingfisher; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Red-headed Woodpecker; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Brown Thrasher; Eastern Bluebird; Wood Thrush; Hermit Thrush; Cedar Waxwing; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; White-eyed Vireo; Ovenbird; Prothonotary Warbler; Northern Parula; Prairie Warbler; Yellow-breasted Chat; Field Sparrow; Dark-eyed Junco; Eastern Towhee; Scarlet Tanager; Blue Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Orchard Oriole;	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, hiking, skiing, Travel: train, bus, car, Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, vineyard, outdoors, nature spot, beach, lake, ocean, architecture, Attend: concert, horse race, dance show, theatre, live music, convention Participate: dance, club, bar, rock, country, classical, hiphop, rap, swing, wine, beer
		S	Malone	Alexandria	Anytime	English
		E	Serlin	Alexandria	Anytime	English
		The Northern Virginia area has diverse habitats which make it a good birding destination year around.
		S	Gill	Charlottesville	Weekend	English
		I am fortunate to live near some nice spring migration spots especially for warblers. Then there are the Blue Ridge Mnts. nearby.
		R	Abraham	Christiansburg	Anytime	English
		I live in an area where there are small towns. Blacksburg and Christiansburg and Radford, Virginia. Blacksburg is the home of the largest University in the State. Radford is the host to a smaller University, Radford. As Radford parallels New River there are ample opportunities to bird in our area. There are also birding trails in both Blacksburg and in Radford. These are a part of the Virginia Birding trail system. I have a small Jon boat and I am willing to take a fellow birder on a river trip. However I will not be interested in taking any person birding who smokes. I am an avid bird watcher as well as a photographer. When I go on trips I will always take a camera with me. I will always be more than willing to answer any inquiries that folks would like to know about the area where I live. I belong to the New River Bird Club and have many friends who also are active birders both for identification as well as for Bird Photography. I am an retired active guy who loves birds and have been a birder since I was a teenager.
		K	Mills	Church Falls	Weekend	English
		G	Weinberger	Doswell	Anytime	English
		P	Reum	Highland County	Weekend	English
		Highland County is well-known to birders. In the winter, you can see Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks and other more northern species. Also a real hot spot during migration. I have a cottage for rent (reasonal rates) and am willing to show you where to go to see birds.
		H	Myers	Keezletown	Anytime	English some Spanish
		I have been avidly birding for 18 years. We have moved from the mountains of West Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We still have mountains around us from the Blue Ridge to the east and the Shenandoah to the west. I see less warblers here than in the mountains except during migration but see more waterbirds and shorebirds especially during migration. We also have very active bird clubs in the Shenandoah Valley with regular walks and activities.		Area: Shenandoah Valley Area Birds: warblers, waterbirds and shorebirds	Interests: Nature: birdwatching
		C	Metzgar	Manakin Sabot	Anytime	English some Spanish
		West of Richmond, VA; wooded areas, flat, some marsh, near large river. Good winter and spring birds. Amateur; several international trips. Just for fun.
		R	Young	McLean	Weekend	English
		J	Harris	Orlean, Virginia, USA	Sundays and Mondays. Other times possible.	English, Spanish, Indonesian (coversational)
		Hi, I am a birder based in Orlean, VA. I visit the hotspots in Fauquier County often and make regular trips to other areas in northern Virginia and adjacent West Virginia. Our region is rich in birds by piedmont standards and we have a large diversity of high quality habitats (forest, shrublands, grasslands, and lakes). I'm also interested in butterflies and dragonflies. I work at the Clifton Institute, where we have regular nature programs for the public, including bird walks.		Area: Shenandoah NP, Airlie Conference Center,Thompson WMA, Sky Meadows SP, Phelps WMA Area Birds: Short-eared Owl, Redhead, Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Veery, Dickcissel	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, twitching, photography, butterflies, skiing, swimming, beach Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, climbing, train, bus, car, hitchhiking, biking, long walk, backpack, portage, canoe, ship Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, ski run/trail, monument, arboretum, architecture appreciation Attend: concert, ballet, dance show, theatre, live music, sports event, political rally, protest Participate: bar, rock, country, classical, hiphop, rap, Phish, wine, beer, liquor Play: climbing, kayaking
		C	Kessler	Radford	Anytime	English
		M	O'Bryan	Richmond	Anytime	English
		B	Adams	Richmond	Anytime	English, French
		M	Eiger	Roanoke	Anytime	English
		Available, when I do not have any wild birds that I am rehabbing. Local Roanoke and local "hot spots" within 20/30 miles. Will answer questions about injured wild birds.
		G	Mapel	Shenandoah Valley, zip 24469	Anytime	English
		Shenandoah National Park, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg areas are my home areas. I know locations for breeding Cerulean Warblers, wintering waterfowl, and much else.
		J	Blalock	South Boston	Anytime	English
		Near Staunton River State Park, Staunton River Battlefield State Park, Buggs Island Lake (known as Kerr Lake in North Carolina). Only about an hour and a half from the mountains of Virginia.
		D	Holsinger	Timberville	Anytime	English, some Spanish
		Been birding for twenty plus years. Do bird surveys for the Forest Service.
		J	Gozart	Warrenton (Northern VA)	Weekend	English
		I have been birding for 10+ years. I am a member of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and previously a member of Potomac Valley Audubon Society, where I used to live. I currently travel for work and have had the chance to bird in Italy, Austria, Singapore, and Seoul. I have birded with birding pals in San Francisco and Vienna this year and would like to get the chance to go birding with visitors of N. VA or even DC.
		L	Meade	Vienna	Anytime	English
		I am an active birder and photographer who often leads trips for the Northern Virginia Bird Club. This area has many birdy locations especially during migration.
		C	Jeschke	Winchester	Weekend	English
		T	Brill	Winchester	Weekend	English
		Most parks like Shenandoah National Park. Like hiking trails. Hawk MT.PA -and WV some.
		M	Hillman	Wallops Island	Weekends (generally Friday and Saturday), Open to other days.	English
		I am a young professional with a passion for birding and nature. My background is in the zoo and aquarium field, where I have spent the last 6 years working as an educator, presenter, tour leader, and zookeeper. Currently, I coordinate and lead educational programs on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including as a Birding Guide for Road Scholar. I am avid birder, though with a degree in Zoology I can get just as excited by any other class of animal. I'm always trying to add species to my bird/mammal/reptile/amphibian/fish lists and that gets me outdoors and traveling as much as possible in my spare time. If you are looking for adventure on a long trek or simply some easy birding at a couple prime local spots, I would love to take you out in the Delmarva region. Happy Birding!		Area: Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, Village Creek Drying Beds, River Legacy Area Birds: Waterfowl, Osprey and other birds of prey, sparrows	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, twitching, herping, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, beach, camping Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, climbing, train, bus, car, long walk, backpack, portage, canoe, kayak, ship, cruise Visit: tourist site, zoo, aquarium, museum, restaurant, monument, arboretum, tech Attend: concert, theatre, live music, convention, competition, movies, presentations Participate: night life, party, social games, volunteering, research projects
		V	Laubach	Augusta County	Anytime	English
		I live in Waynesboro and am a Professor of Surgery at the University of Virginia. I am the Coordinator of the nearby Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch and also a member of the Augusta Bird Club. In addition to Augusta County, I also have extensive experience birding in nearby Rockingham, Albemarle, and Highland Counties. I'm always looking for an excuse to get out and about. I'll be happy to show you around and help you find birds in general or specific target species if desired. It’s a big area, so we would be driving a lot.		Area: I bird all over beautiful Shenandoah Valley, covering a wide variety of habitat as well as low elevations (valley floor and rivers) and high elevations (Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains). Some good birding areas include: Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Augusta Springs, Swoope, Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve, Big Levels, Guthrie Rd, Bells Lane, Deerfield Valley, Reddish Knob, and all area ponds, lakes, and rivers. There are also lots of great birding areas in Rockingham and Highland Counties too numerous to list here. Area Birds: All-year birds include raptors, owls, sparrows, woodpeckers, game birds, blackbirds, waders, etc. Spring through fall brings lots of warblers, vireos, shorebirds, tanagers, grosbeaks, swallows, flycatchers, etc. Fall through spring brings us grebes, swans, geese, ducks, mergansers and a few gulls. Highlights include Lapland Longspur (winter), Short-eared Owl (winter), Red-Crossbill, Rusty Blackbird, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Mourning, Golden-winged, and Blue-winged Warblers, Veery, Grasshopper Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike (winter), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Virginia Rail.	Interests: Nature: birdwatching, photography, plants, wildlife watching Travel: walking, hiking, car Visit: vineyard, brewery, tourist site, museum, restaurant Attend: concert, theatre, live music
Professional Guides If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
Local Information
		Name			Description
		Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia			Virginia
		Local weather			Yahoo
		Delmarva Ornithological Society			Club
		Audubon Society of Northern Virginia			Club
		Cape Henry Audubon Society			Club
		Northern Neck of Virginia Audubon Society			Club
		Richmond Audubon Society			Club
		Northern Shenandoah Valley Audubon Society			Club
		Virginia Beach Audubon Society			Club
		Brian Patteson's			Pelagic
		Birding Hotspots around the world			Sites