Evening Birding at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Join Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) for birding at the beautiful Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, “an oasis for migratory birds and busy city residents seeking a quiet escape from development.” On this guided walk, you’ll explore the refuge’s diverse waterfowl species with naturalist Andreas Seiter.

Please plan to meet your guide outside the Visitor Information Center (VIC), located at 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191.

After a brief introduction, participants will walk along the Painted Turtle Pond Loop Trail (0.43 miles) eventually viewing Painted Turtle Pond where species such as the Green Herons like to hunt. Once on the trail, the guide will determine the group’s stopping points and when to turn back to return to the VIC (within about 90 minutes).

From Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) in Woodbridge, proceed east on Dawson Beach Road for ¾ mile to reach the refuge entrance gate.

Several parking lots are available, but participants should plan to park in the first lot, where the Visitor Information Center is located. Parking is available for the duration of the event.

, Vice President of NVBA’s Board of Directors, brings extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications to our organization. He's completed the Fairfax Maser Naturalist training, which opened his eyes to the importance of seeing the connections between the easily visible elements of nature with those that are invisible or easily overlooked, but necessary to a healthy ecosystem. His work with NVBA spans educational programs, outreach, organizational development, recruitment, and fundraising. During his bird walks, Andreas encourages participants to observe their surroundings closely as a way to inspire greater appreciation and stewardship for the natural environments we all share.

As one of NVBA’s sites, the refuge plays an important role in mitigating the region’s growing habitat challenges. The greatest cause of decline in bird populations is habitat loss, and an rapidly urbanizing area like Northern Virginia is a major contributor. NVBA’s Stretch Our Parks program focuses on taking concrete steps to help reverse that trend by supporting and enhancing critical natural spaces like Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Established in June 1998, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge provides vital habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. Its grassland, marsh, and forest ecosystems attract a wide variety of songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl that rely on the area for food, nesting, and rest. The Visitor Information Center is open Thursday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM. Visit their website [linked here] to learn more about the site.

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 [email protected].

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Host or Publisher Audubon Society of Northern Virginia