Winter Birding at Huntley Meadows

Event Description:Huntley Meadows Park is widely regarded as one of the top birding destinations in the greater Washington, DC area, with more than 200 species documented over time. Its expansive wetlands, open meadows, and mature woodlands create diverse habitats that attract birds year-round, including both local residents and seasonal migrants.

Winter is an especially rewarding time to visit, as the park’s wetlands host an impressive variety of waterfowl. Depending on conditions, we may encounter:

• Sparrows, woodpeckers, and seasonal songbirds in wooded areas and clearings.
• A range of waterfowl, including mallards, green-winged teal, and hooded mergansers, which are most often found in the winter months.
• Wading birds such as great blue herons and red-winged blackbirds around the marsh.
• Birds of prey such as red-tailed hawks and, at times, bald eagles soaring over the wetlands.

Sometimes the trail is muddy after heavy rain or snow. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. The boardwalk does not allow dogs/strollers.

Directions, parking & meeting your guides: The park is located 10 minutes away from the Huntington Metro station. Parking is limited at Huntley Meadows, thus carpooling and drop-offs are encouraged when possible. Plan to meet your guides by the trail entrance next to the main parking lot.

Your Guides: Arielle has always loved the outdoors and hiking, though birds were only a passing curiosity until her 30s. After repeatedly spotting black-and-white ducks near her home—and comparing them to the Atlantic Puffins she’d seen in Iceland—she finally decided to dive into birding (fun fact: those mystery ducks turned out to be buffleheads!). Since then, Arielle’s passion for birds, especially waterfowl, has taken off. She leads walks with the NextGen Birders for Conservation, a subset of NVBA, and she’s excited to keep expanding her birding knowledge while welcoming others into the community. Both Arielle and Gabrielle are excited to introduce new and experienced birders alike to the excellent diversity of species found at this site!

About the site: Huntley Meadows Park, located in Fairfax County, is home to a diverse range of bird habitats from wetlands to woodlands. As such, a wide array of bird species call this park home.

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 above.) Otherwise, the walk will take place as scheduled.

Questions? Contact NVBA’s Community Engagement Coordinator, McKenzie, at bWNrZW56aWUgfCBudmJpcmRhbGxpYW5jZSAhIG9yZw==.

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