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Natural Tunnel State Park

People paddling kayaks on the water.

Fun Things to Do in September

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People paddling kayaks on the water.As Summer vacations end with the start of school, there are still plenty of places that you can explore and enjoy for weekend fun in Virginia.

The James River Association will be celebrating the opening of their new River Center, in Richmond on September 7, 2024 from 1-6 p.m. with EcoFest!  There will be tree giveaways, a rain barrel workshop and raffle, a free one-hour canoe paddle (registration required), family fun activities, and educational booths including Keep Virginia Beautiful!  So stop on by to say hello and pick up a giveaway while supplies last!  Parking and shuttle service will be available at Stone Brewing Taproom.  Visit this link for more information.

Are you an early bird? Join Lynnhaven River Now and the Virginia Beach Audubon Society for a bird walk. Birders will meet near the Education Pavilion area of the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach at 7:30 a.m. The walk usually ends by 9:00 a.m.  Free registration at: September Bird Walk at Pleasure House Point – Lynnhaven River NOW   Walk limited to 20 people.

Do you dig fossils and shipwrecks?  Visit Caledon State Park in King George on September 8, 2023 from 1-3:30 p.m. to take a guided kayak tour to explore remnant of a World War I vessel that washed up on the lower Potomac decades ago.  Then paddle on a fossil-finding adventure to scour Caledon’s shoreline for clues to the past, before learning about the shipwreck history of Boyd’s Hole.  Lastly, you’ll paddle upriver to search for shark teeth!  You must make a reservation for either solo or tandem kayak ($19/$25) and standard parking fees apply.  Call:  540-663-3861 for reservations.

If you’re more the type to enjoy a quiet, reflective experience, Nature Journaling is the intersection of art, science, and curiosity.  Come to Natural Tunnel State Park in the southwest corner of the state on September 8, 2024 from 2-3 p.m. where you can join a ranger to discuss how to make good observations and translate them into your very own nature journal. Standard parking fee applies.  No extra charge for the program and no reservations are required.

There are may ways to savor the natural and scenic environment of Virginia this Fall!

Man and woman with binoculars looking up in the trees for birds

The Great Backyard Bird Count 2024

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Man and woman with binoculars looking up in the trees for birdsThe Great Backyard Bird Count is a citizen-science based count held every year from February 16-19, 2024.  Spend time in your favorite places watching birds – in your own backyard or in public places – then report the birds you saw or heard! You only need to spend as little as 15 minutes (or longer if you choose), any of the days (or all the days!) to just watch and record the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit them to help scientists better understand and protect birds. Researchers all around the world use the data gathered each year from the Great Backyard Bird Count to study birds.

You don’t have to be a pro to participate — you’ll be helpful to the study if you record just one or two bird species that you are able to identify.  Here’s a link to a Guide to North American Birds in the Southeast Region to help you identify birds often found in Virginia.  It’s also very easy to use apps on your phone or tablet, such as Merlin or eBird.  You can even record a bird you hear, and BirdNET app will suggest which bird is making the sound.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a wonderful opportunity to visit a state park, botanical garden, and other beautiful places in Virginia to participate.  If you want to learn more before it kicks off, there’s a live webinar on February 13th to get more details about this year’s GBGC.

Below is a list of a few events to consider, but please consult their websites for registration, any fees involved, or age restrictions before you go:

  • Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach offers a Winter Waterfowl Walk on February 19, 2024. You’ll search for ducks, geese, and swans to observe, identify, and photograph on a one-mile walk.
  • Join rangers and Virginia Master Naturalists at Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield on February 18, 2024 from 11:00 AM to noon to learn how to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count on your own at home and at the park.

          * Special notice:  Natural Tunnel State Park is proud to offer red/green colorblindness correcting outdoor glasses by EnChroma during all offered programming; three protan red sensitivity and three deutan.

  • Because of its wide range of habitats that support many bird species, Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland is the perfect place to come birding and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. You can join them on February 16, 17, 18, and 19, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
  • Hungry Mother State Park in Marion offers a unique experience on February 16 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. to journey out into the night to learn about how owls are specifically designed for night life. Or if you’re not a night owl, on February 17 from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. they’ll  offer guided hikes to see what kinds of birds can be found to record for the Great Backyard Bird Count.
  • Grab your binoculars and head over to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on February 17 from 9 a.m. to noon to be a part of this year’s GBBC community science project; children can assist, too, and are welcome to help with a parent.
  • Come flock together at Powhatan State Park in Powhatan to help your feathered friends!  On February 17 from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. They’ll assist you in identifying, counting, and submitting the birds you see using the eBird or Merlin apps.

For more information about the part you’ll play in this international event, view this on YouTube:  Great Backyard Bird Count – when the world comes together to watch, learn about, count, and celebrate birds.  And for even more places to visit near you, here are links to the experts in bird watching:

Audubon:  About the Great Backyard Bird Count

DCR (Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation): Count Birds for Science

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service:  The Great Backyard Bird Count

Programs and activities at Virginia State Parks: Events (virginia.gov)

Happy birding!