Program and Event Descriptions:

An Evening with Woodcocks — March (date, time, location TBD).   Registration Required.  We’ll stake out a likely spot to witness the incredible courtship display of the Woodcock, one of our most fascinating avian residents.  We will be keeping our eyes and ears open for the Woodcock, and once we know they are around we will announce the date, time, and location.  Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Laura Weidner at lweidner@loudounwildlife.org.

Swamp Walk with Mike Hayslett — Sunday, March 7, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Algonkian Park. Registration Required. [Note: Registration is currently full but if there is enough interest we may plan a second date] Join us for a walk through a “cat swamp,” right here in Loudoun County.  Mike Hayslett, director of the Virginia Vernal Pool Program at Sweet Briar College, will lead this walk as we explore the interesting aspects of this habitat, learn how amphibians and other wildlife make use of it, and discuss the historical uses of the land. We’ll search for wood frogs, spring peepers, and a variety of salamanders in this interesting habitat. Please bring waterproof boots. Limit 12 participants. Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org

Bluebird Nestbox Monitoring Program Orientation and Season Kickoff — Sunday, March 7, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Registration Required. Elizabeth Evans, our Bluebird monitoring program coordinator and experienced bluebird monitor, will provide an orientation at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve on nest box monitoring and the protocol used in Loudoun for collecting and reporting data. She will give an overview of the program, discuss current trails being monitored around Loudoun and take us through a slide show about bluebirds, their nesting habits, habitat needs and preferred foods. A limited number of predator guards will be on sale after the program ($15). Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Elizabeth Evans at 540-822-5438

Stream Monitoring Season Kickoff ― Sunday, March 7, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30/4:30 p.m. at Rust Library in Leesburg. Registration Required. Besides hanging out and munching on some snacks, we will plan to cover several topics:
• A review of last year's accomplishments
• A summary of the results from the Loudoun County stream assessment project
• A quick review of our current sites and the new areas we plan to target
• Lots of live macros to refresh your ID skills
• And any other topics and questions
If you are new to stream monitoring, this is a great opportunity to learn what it's all about. If you're certified and haven't received all your supplies or need some replacement materials, new equipment will be available. Questions please contact us or to register: Sign Up On-line so we can get an accurate count and plan to have the right materials onhand.

Bird Atlas Training Session — Tuesday, March 9, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 pm. We encourage anyone interested in volunteering with the Loudoun County Bird Atlas to attend a training session. Each session will provide an opportunity to meet other atlasers and become familiar with atlasing and entering your data. A printed copy of the atlas handbook, block map, field card, and other information will be provided to each block owner in their participant packet. The location for this training session is Rust Library in Leesburg. Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact the Atlas Coordinator, Spring Ligi, at sligi@loudounwildlife.org

Amphibians Afoot: Exploration of Local Wetlands — Class Tuesday, March 9, followed by a field trip March 12, 13, or 14 (participants sign up for one of the three field sessions).  Registration Required.  This hands-on training will begin with a classroom session at Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg (802 Childrens Center Rd) on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., where we will discuss the amphibians that use seasonal pools, streams, and permanent wetlands. We’ll discuss amphibian migration and breeding tactics, the different types of habitats, and unique features present in Loudoun. Participants will gain an introduction to identifying wetlands and recognizing the signs of vernal pool presence during dry seasons.  Participants will then join us for one of three full-day field sessions where we will explore the numerous vernal pools and other isolated wetlands around Loudoun. Optional night forays are also possible, depending on rainfall. Cost for the class and field trip is $20 per person.  Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org. When you sign up, please indicate which one of the three field trips days you would like to be in.

Mid-Week Walk: A Vernal Pool Exploration — Wednesday, March 10, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., at Morven Park.  Registration Required. [Note: Registration is currently full but if there is enough interest we may plan a second date] Join Mike Hayslett for an exploration of the vernal pools at Morven Park, one of Loudoun’s very special natural areas where vernal pools thrive with wood frogs, spring peepers, and salamanders. During the walk, we’ll discuss the life cycles of the animals that use vernal pools for breeding locations and the importance of the forests that surround them.  Space is limited as we are mindful of the impact of human foot traffic in these sensitive habitats. Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org. 

Pool Party: A Benefit Event to Support Virginia Vernal Pools — Friday, March 12, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.at the  Rust Nature Sanctuary. Mike Hayslett of Sweet Briar College has made an annual trip to Northern Virginia and Loudoun County for over 10 years. Mike's research, speaking engagements and the noted Spring Pools Institute have been instrumental in educating local property owners, naturalists, and others on the ecology and importance of Virginia's vernal pools. These small, yet vital wetland habitats need to be conserved through education and stewardship but we need your support to continue this great work. Please join us for an evening of fun, hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and activities to help support Mike and the Virginia Vernal Pools Program and protect these critical resources. Proceeds collected for this event (ticket fee $30per person or $50 per couple) will benefit the Virginia Vernal Pool Program. Rust Nature Sanctuary is located at 802 Childrens Center Road, Leesburg, VA 20175.

Birding Banshee ― Saturday, March 13, 8:00 a.m. Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for the monthly bird walk. Because of its rich and varied habitat, this part of the county is a birding hot spot. Please bring binoculars. Questions: contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.

“Tips on How to Lead a Nature Walk” Class and Field Session — Saturday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Banshee Reeks.  Registration Required.  Join naturalist Phil Daley as he teaches a class on how to lead or co-lead a walk and then takes us out into the field for a demonstration walk.  Phil will provide some insights, ideas, and guidance for potential walk leaders.  He will also discuss the “to do and not to do” aspects of leading a successful walk. Meet at the Banshee Reeks visitors center.  Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Phil Daley at pdaley@loudounwildlife.org or 540-338-6528.

Sunday in the Preserve ― Sunday, March 21, 1:00 p.m.  Join a naturalist from the Friends of Banshee Reeks and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a free informal, family walk around Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Search for the many natural wonders that make this such a special place. For information call the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve at 703-669-0316.

Bird Identification Class — Thursday, March 25, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Registration Required.  Join naturalist Joe Coleman for a class on birding.  He will describe some of the different field guides and binoculars, as well as seasonal information on what birds to look for and when and where to look for them.  He will also describe some of the key factors in identifying birds in the field. This program is being held at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg.  Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org or 540-554-2542.

Birding the Blue Ridge Center ― Saturday, March 27, 8:00 a.m. On the fourth Saturday of each month (except December) the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads a bird walk at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship (BRCES). This beautiful 900-acre preserve is located on Harpers Ferry Road, Rt. 671, in northwestern Loudoun County. Only a few miles south of Harpers Ferry and the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, the property includes meadows in the valley and heavily forested slopes on the Blue Ridge. Meet at the visitor center parking lot at the Blue Ridge Center at 8:00 a.m. The Blue Ridge Center is located just north of Neersville, at 11611 Harpers Ferry Road (Rt 671).  Detailed directions can be found on the website, www.brces.org Questions: contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.

An Evening with Peepers and Wood Frogs — Saturday, March 27, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Algonkian Park.  Registration Required.  [Note: Registration is currently full but if there is enough interest we may plan a second date] Spring peepers and wood frogs are often the first calls we recognize in the springtime, yet few people actually see them.  We’ll start this class with a discussion of peepers and wood frogs; their behaviors, their life cycles, and their habitat needs.  Then we’ll head out into the field to see them in action as we visit some pools and ponds, listen to their calls, and observe their courtship behaviors. Please wear boots and rain gear, and bring either a flashlight or headlamp. Meet at the Fairfax Room inside the main building for a short program and then we'll head outside. Limit 12 participants. Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org. 

Loudoun Amphibian Monitoring Refresher Class, Field Trip, and Program Kickoff — Sunday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Registration Required.  [Note: Registration is currently full but if there is enough interest we may plan a second date] Interested in frogs, toads, and salamanders?   Amphibians are not only an important indicator of environmental health, they’re also great fun to watch, listen to, and learn about.  This program is designed for new volunteers who would like to participate in the Loudoun Amphibian Monitoring Program (LAMP), and for current Amphibian Monitors as a way to brush up those frog, toad, and salamander identification skills and get ready for the season!  Following the identification discussion, we’ll head out into the field, walk through our protocol, and answer any questions you have on filling out the data collection forms and following the protocol.  Bring a bag lunch and waterproof boots. This program will be held at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in the Education Annex.  Questions or to register: Sign Up On-line or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org.  

Nature Badge Support for Junior Girl Scouts and Bear/Webelos Cub Scouts — Sunday, March 28, at the Chapter House of the Izaak Walton League of Loudoun. Registration Required. Volunteer naturalists from LWC will offer instructional walks and talks to assist scouts in meeting several requirements for the following badges:  1) Girl Scouts “Wildlife” and “Outdoor Surroundings,” 2) Cub Scouts Bear Achievement 5 “Sharing Your World with Wildlife,” and 3) Webelos “Forester and Naturalist”.  Two sessions will be available:  1:00 – 3:30 p.m. for Junior Girl Scouts and 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. for Bear/Webelos Cub Scouts.  The program is designed for scouts and their leaders — all scouts must be accompanied by their leader.  The program is free, but space is limited.  Questions or to register: call Paul Miller at 540-882-3112.  Registration Deadline:  March 21, 2010.