Members Event: Woodcock Walk DATE CHANGE
Members/Blue Ridge Birders Event: 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.
Burke's Garden Birding Trip 2024
Join us for our annual visit to a rare valley bowl that plays host to the rare wintering birds from the far north including the golden eagle and rough-legged hawk.
Blue Ridge Birders - Rural Retreat Lake
BRB will host a field trip to Rural Retreat Lake on Friday, July 21st. Allen Boynton will be the guide for morning birding. We will meet at the parking lot by the swimming pool at 7:30 a.m. It is important to get there early before boaters hit the lake. We should be done by 11:00 a.m..
Please let us know if you plan to attend (info@bueridgediscoverycenter.org) and the number in your party. If the group size goes over 12, we need to get a group activity permit from the Department of Wildlife Resources.
We will look for summer season birds like Bald Eagle, Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, American Kestrel, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat.
Blue Ridge Birders - Mount Rogers High Country
BRB will host a field trip to the high country on Sunday, July 16th. BRDC Staff will be the guides for morning birding. We will meet at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center parking lot at 7:45 a.m.
Please let us know if you plan to attend and the number in your party at info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org
We will look for summer season birds like Vesper Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canada Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Winter Wren.
Burke's Garden Birding Trip with Blue Ridge Birders
Blue Ridge Birders and Blue Ridge Discovery Center will conduct a Burkes Garden field trip on Tuesday, June 13th.
Woodcock Walk
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.
Burke's Garden Birding Trip 2023
Join us for our annual visit to a rare valley bowl that plays host to the rare wintering birds from the far north including the golden eagle and rough-legged hawk.
(Image above was taken by Sandy Worrell during the 2022 Burke’s Garden Trip)
2022 Great Backyard Bird Count
Hang out on the porch or peer out the windows of the cottage as we participate in the 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count!
Burke's Garden Birding Trip
Join us for our annual visit to a rare valley bowl that plays host to the rare wintering birds from the far north including the golden eagle and rough-legged hawk.
New River Christmas Bird Count
Each year, Blue Ridge Discovery Center heads up the New River CBC, centered around Sparta, NC. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate!
Mt. Rogers Christmas Bird Count
Each year, local birder Allen Boynton heads up the Mt. Rogers Christmas Bird Count. This 15-mile diameter circle survey, centered on the highest peak in Virginia, has great scenery!
2021 Great Backyard Bird Count
Hang out on the porch or peer out the windows of the cottage as we participate in the 2021 Great Backyard Bird Count!
Burke's Garden Birding Trip
Join us for our annual visit to a rare valley bowl that plays host to the rare wintering birds from the far north including the golden eagle and rough-legged hawk.
Mt. Rogers Christmas Bird Count
Each year, local birder Allen Boynton heads up the Mt. Rogers Christmas Bird Count. This 15-mile diameter circle survey, centered on the highest peak in Virginia, has great scenery!
New River Christmas Bird Count
Each year, Blue Ridge Discovery Center heads up the New River CBC, centered around Sparta, NC. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate!
New River Christmas Bird Count
Blue Ridge Discovery Center will be heading up the New River CBC once again. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate! We’ll make a full day of it, coming together to share stories over lunch before finishing out the afternoon.
Mahogany Rock Hawk Migration Viewing
Hawk watches are a nationwide, annual event, and for good reason. Each fall it is possible to see hundreds, even thousands, of raptors circling or “kettling” overhead as they ride the thermal updrafts during migration. This event is scheduled during the height of activity in this region, when historical data report as many as 4,000-5,000 broad-winged hawks at Mahogany Rock, joined by other migratory raptors.
Nighthawk Migration Picnic
This members-only event is an opportunity for the BRDC community to connect during the common nighthawk migration. Join us for dinner around 5:00 pm and hang out through the evening as we (hopefully) get to observe flocks of these cryptically-colored birds which are usually crepuscular/nocturnal and solitary.
This event is free and is open to all ages. Membership and registration required.
2018-19 New River Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count, organized by the Audubon Society, is a North American citizen science survey that runs from December 14th through January 5th each year. Information gathered during these counts helps us to better understand the health and status of bird populations.
Blue Ridge Discovery Center will be heading up the New River CBC. All ages and skill levels welcome. If interested, contact Jay Martin at jay@blueridgediscoverycenter.org or by calling (276) 293-1232.