February Programs by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

FEBRUARY 2009 PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS

BIRDING ALGONKIAN PARK IN EASTERN LOUDOUN ― Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 a.m. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on a bird walk at Algonkian Park. The park has varied habitat, including a long frontage along the Potomac. Admission to the park is free and ample parking and comfort stations are available. Meet at the parking lot by the pool. Bring binoculars. For more information, contact Andy Rabin at stylurus@gmail.com, or 703-723-6926.

WOODS AND FIELDS IN THE COLDEST MONTH ― Sunday, Feb. 8, 1–4 p.m. Registration Required. Join Phil Daley and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for an exploration of the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship during winter. The Blue Ridge Center comprises 900 acres on the west side of Harpers Ferry in northwestern Loudoun County. Meet at the Neersville Volunteer Fire Station on Rt. 671 at 10 a.m. To register, contact Phil at 540-338-6528 or pdaley@loudounwildlife.org.

BIRDING BANSHEE ― Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 a.m. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for the monthly bird walk. Because of its rich and varied habitat, this part of the county is a birding hot spot. Please bring binoculars. For more information, contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.

SUNDAY IN THE PRESERVE ― Sunday, Feb. 22, 1 p.m. Join the Friends of Banshee Reeks and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a free informal, family walk around the preserve. Search for the many natural wonders that make this such a special place. For information, call the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve at 703-669-0316.

BIRDING THE BLUE RIDGE CENTER ― Saturday, Feb. 28, 8 a.m. On the fourth Saturday of each month (except December), Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads a free bird walk at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship (BRCES). This beautiful 900-acre preserve is located on Harpers Ferry Road, Route 671, in northwestern Loudoun County. Only a few miles south of Harpers Ferry and the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, the property includes meadows in the valley and heavily forested slopes on the Blue Ridge. Meet at the Neersville Volunteer Fire Station on Route 671 at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.

BLUEBIRD NESTBOX MONITORING ― Saturday, Feb. 28, 1– 3 p.m. Registration Required. Elizabeth Evans and Debra Gutenson, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (LWC) County Coordinators for the Virginia Bluebird Society, provide an orientation at Banshee Reeks on nestbox monitoring and the protocol used in Loudoun for collecting and reporting data. Program includes an overview, discussion of current trails being monitored around Loudoun, and a slide show about bluebirds, their nesting habits, habitat needs, and preferred foods. Tips on gardening for bluebirds will be discussed as well as the use of natural cavities and nestboxes. A typical nestbox system with predator guards will be set up for demonstration. Those interested in joining a monitoring team for the 2009 season can sign up during the meeting. Those interested in monitoring a home nestbox or trail and providing data to LWC can register their trails/boxes during the meeting as well. Sign up online or call 540-822-5438.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is an all-volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the preservation and proliferation of healthy wildlife habitats throughout Loudoun County. Visit www.loudounwildlife.org or call 540-554-2542.