This year's Virginia Society of Ornithology Annual Meeting on April 26 - 28 is
rapidly approaching! Hosted by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, the weekend
will include two great programs, exhibits, vendors, scientific paper
presentations and of course - great birding! Spring birding in the northern
Piedmont offers local specialties, unexpected rarities as well as migrants
amidst beautiful spring wildflowers in a wide range of habitats.
The many great field trips include a Beginner's Bird Walk at the Banshee Reeks
Nature Preserve led by VSO President, Andrew Dolby, and a walk led by three
former Presidents of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland
Ornithological Society along the C&O Canal near Point of Rocks, both on
Saturday morning,
There is a program on warblers on Friday evening and a great speaker, Julie
Zickefoose, at the banquet on Saturday evening. Julie is a widely published
natural history writer and artist. Her observations on the natural history and
behavior of birds are derived from more than three decades of experience in the
field and as a wildlife rehabilitator. Her most recently published book, The
Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds, is about the unexpected
mental and emotional capacities of birds, especially songbirds.
Friday night's program, Identifying Warblers, the Jewels of the Eastern Forest,
presented by three former Presidents of the Montgomery County Chapter of the
Maryland Ornithological Society, will feature nearly every warbler that breeds
or migrates through VA and MD. ID pointers and songs of birds in spring are
emphasized. Practice on Saturdays' field trips!
Lodging and the programs are at the Holiday Inn at Historic Carradoc Hall in
Leesburg. A special rate of $99/night is available until March 26.
For more information and to register visit
www.loudounwildlife.org/Event_VSO_Mtg_2013.html
The registration deadline is April 15.
