Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Department Resources

Birds

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Birding Programs

Discover the diverse and captivating birds that grace our parks during the colder months with our winter birding programs.

Activity Name Place Start Date Schedule Price Learn More
Winter Bird Walk Burke Lake Park Jan. 28 9-10 a.m. $8 Learn More
Home Made Bird Feeders Burke Lake Park Feb. 3 11 a.m.-noon $8 Learn More

Birding at Huntley

Huntley Meadows Park

Feb. 7

8-11 a.m.

$19

 Learn More
Make Your Own Pinecone Birdfeeders! Lake Accotink Park Feb. 17 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. $10 Learn More
Winter Bird Walk Lake Accotink Park Feb. 9 4-5 p.m. $8 Learn More
Winter Bird Walk Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Feb. 17 1-2 p.m. $8 Learn More
Home Made Bird Feeders Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Feb. 18 2-3 p.m. $8 Learn More

Birding for Beginners (12-Adult)

Huntley Meadows Park

Feb. 25

8-11 a.m.

$19

 Learn More

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s land is home to countless birds.  More than 190 species of birds have been seen in or from Riverbend Park. More than 130 have been documented in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Lake Accotink has secret marshes that draw waterfowl. Riverbend and Lake Fairfax attract migrating waterfowl. Burke Lake is large enough for loons to take flight. More than 200 bird species have been identified in the wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park.

Each species of bird is attracted to particular habitat, and Fairfax County park habitats include woods, wetland, river, and lake environments that attract a broad range of species. Lake parks, Riverbend and Huntley Meadows are routine stopping points for migrating birds. Smaller lake parks, like Lake Mercer, appeal to large numbers of birds, especially in late winter if freezing temperatures play havoc with the water’s shad population. Even Hidden Pond Nature Center, smack in the middle of Springfield, is an excellent birdwatching spot because of the feeder that hangs just outside a large viewing window in the nature center.

huntley meadow bird watching

 

Watch Fairfax County Park Authority birds video clips

Birds Awareness & Campaigns

Birds are celebrated throughout the world in many ways.  Whether it’s a bird count, World Bird Day, or National Bird Month, Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes birds every day in our parks.  Here are some upcoming, festive days and months in 2023 to observe birds of all kinds. 

  • National Bird Day: Jan. 5, 2024
  • World Bird Feeding Month: February 2024
  • The Great Backyard Bird Count: Febr. 16–19, 2024 
  • National Audubon Day: April 26, 2024
  • Babcock Bird Day: May 4, 2024
  • World Migratory Bird Day (U.S.): May 11, 2024

Bird Activities for Families

Get the whole family involved and create a habitat for birds with these hands-on activities. 

Make Your Own Birdfeeder & Nesting Materials

Help birds by providing them food or nesting materials. For both activities, use a pinecone. Tie a piece of 12 inches of yarn on the base of the pinecone. For food, smear vegetable shortening on the pinecone and then shake the cone in a lunch bag filled with 1 cup of bird seed. Hang the pinecone feeder outside. For nesting materials, stuff in the pinecone small pieces of yarn and raffia or grasses, cotton balls, small pieces of cloth. Hang out in early spring for birds to collect nesting materials. Check your bushes in late summer to see if any birds feathered their now-abandoned nests with your materials!

Attracting Birds to your Yard with Native Plants

Want more birds in your yard?  Native plants are a wonderful addition to your landscaping and provide much needed nutrients to birds.  Learn how to attract a variety of birds with natural plantings.   

 

Download Native Plants for Birds

Winter Arrival of the Dark Eyed Junco

It’s winter and that means in addition to snow, you may observe the “Snow Bird,” a nickname given to the Dark Eyed Junco because of its white belly.  This is a very common bird you will see at your feeder in winter!  The Junco is a medium-sized sparrow with a rounded head, a short, stout bill and a fairly long tail.  You will find Dark-eyed Juncos on the ground. They hop around looking for food. You’ll often hear their high chip when you are outdoors.  The Dark-eyed Junco is a welcome winter visitor; they appear as winter sets in, and then retreat northward each spring.

Birds in Fairfax County

Want to know what birds live in Fairfax County?  This Field Guide will come in handy and help you identify birds that you may not be familiar with.  Put your observation skills to work as you brush up on your birding skills.

Field Guide

Woodpeckers

Did you know that there are six species of woodpeckers living in our community?  Woodpeckers do not eat wood, but rather are in search of food within the trees.  Explore woodpeckers and their amazing “shock absorption” and entertaining sounds in this article. 

Read Article

Explore more birds around Fairfax County

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