Burke's Garden is a rare valley bowl with a floor that rests at 3,000' while the encircling ridge rises to around 4,000'. It is located in Tazewell County, VA, where the Appalachian Trail skirts its southern rim. The 8.5 mile long and 4-mile wide valley is often referred to as "God's Thumbprint" for its distinctive shape.

The bowl is a beautiful pastoral landscape during the summer but in the winter it is equally impressive. During February it plays host to the rare wintering birds from the far north including the golden eagle and rough-legged hawk. We will coordinate travel to the valley with registered participants. Once in the valley, we will slowly work our way around in a large loop by vehicle, searching for birds along the way. With a little luck, we will have the opportunity to put scopes on multiple raptors on the tree lines or soaring about the farm fields. It also houses the regionally uncommon red-headed woodpecker.

Interested in joining us? Please contact Lisa Benish at lisa@blueridgediscoverycenter.org or (276) 388-3155. Additional information will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.

A potential February bird list for Burke's Garden includes:

Canada goose, American wigeon, American black duck, mallard, green-winged teal, wild turkey, great blue heron, black vulture, turkey vulture, golden eagle, northern harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, killdeer, Wilson's snipe, rock pigeon, mourning dove, barred owl, belted kingfisher, red-headed woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, American kestrel, loggerhead shrike, blue jay, American crow, common raven, horned lark, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, eastern bluebird, American robin, northern mockingbird, European starling, dark-eyed junco, song sparrow, northern cardinal, red-winged blackbird, eastern meadowlark, common grackle, house finch, American goldfinch, & house sparrow

Join us for the Mount Rogers Winter Naturalist Rally at BRDC!

We’ll have a featured speaker followed by morning programs. After lunch we’ll have afternoon programs and evening activities. Join us for the day or the weekend!

For more information about the Winter Rally, and to purchase a ticket, use this link: https://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/mrnr-winter.

American woodcocks (Scolopax minor), inconspicuous in plumage and behavior, can be difficult to spot throughout the year. During their mating season, however, it is possible to witness the males’ magnificent courtship display at dusk and dawn.

Wednesday evening we will visit an area where male woodcocks are currently calling and performing their “sky dance” aerial displays. Hopefully, we will glimpse one of the many wonders of the natural world.

This event is a member-only / BRB event. Registration is required. Please register here- https://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/community-program-registration-form Additional information will be sent to registered participants prior to the event.

Please email info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org or call 276-388-3155 for more information.

Not a member yet? Easily Become a Member and join us for this and many more unique events throughout the year!

We will meet at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center and travel by van to the area where woodcocks are currently active. Dress warmly and in layers.