Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away.
Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.
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Initial
Last Name
Area
Available
Language
A
Seiter
Alexandria
Anytime
English
There are many birding hotspots and a lively birder community in Northern Virginia. I am a member of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and the local chapter of Audubon. While not an expert birder, I am able to identify about 95% of birds that are regularly seen in the area, and know where to find them.
I'd also be happy to bring guests along to the bird walks organized by local clubs (typically on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays).
My favorite area hotspots are Huntley Meadows, Occoquan NWR, Mason Neck NWR, Dyke Marsh.
I recently retired, meaning my schedule is relatively flexible and I will try to accommodate if a fellow birder is in the region and wants to see some of the local birds.
Area:
Alexandria, VA is 30 min from downtown Washington DC.
Area Birds:
Tundra Swan (in winter); Ring-necked Duck; Wilson's Snipe; Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs; Solitary Sandpiper; Cooper's Hawk; Bald Eagle; Osprey; Barred Owl; Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Yellow-billed Cuckoo; Belted Kingfisher; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Red-headed Woodpecker; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Brown Thrasher; Eastern Bluebird; Wood Thrush; Hermit Thrush; Cedar Waxwing; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; White-eyed Vireo; Ovenbird; Prothonotary Warbler; Northern Parula; Prairie Warbler; Yellow-breasted Chat; Field Sparrow; Dark-eyed Junco; Eastern Towhee; Scarlet Tanager; Blue Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting; Orchard Oriole;
Interests:
Nature: birdwatching, hiking, skiing,
Travel: train, bus, car,
Visit: tourist site, museum, restaurant, vineyard, outdoors, nature spot, beach, lake, ocean, architecture,
Attend: concert, horse race, dance show, theatre, live music, convention
Participate: dance, club, bar, rock, country, classical, hiphop, rap, swing, wine, beer
S
Malone
Alexandria
Anytime
English
E
Serlin
Alexandria
Anytime
English
The Northern Virginia area has diverse habitats which make it a good birding destination year around.
S
Gill
Charlottesville
Weekend
English
I am fortunate to live near some nice spring migration spots especially for warblers. Then there are the Blue Ridge Mnts. nearby.
R
Abraham
Christiansburg
Anytime
English
I live in an area where there are small towns. Blacksburg and Christiansburg and Radford, Virginia. Blacksburg is the home of the largest University in the State. Radford is the host to a smaller University, Radford. As Radford parallels New River there are ample opportunities to bird in our area. There are also birding trails in both Blacksburg and in Radford. These are a part of the Virginia Birding trail system. I have a small Jon boat and I am willing to take a fellow birder on a river trip. However I will not be interested in taking any person birding who smokes. I am an avid bird watcher as well as a photographer. When I go on trips I will always take a camera with me. I will always be more than willing to answer any inquiries that folks would like to know about the area where I live. I belong to the New River Bird Club and have many friends who also are active birders both for identification as well as for Bird Photography. I am an retired active guy who loves birds and have been a birder since I was a teenager.
K
Mills
Church Falls
Weekend
English
G
Weinberger
Doswell
Anytime
English
P
Reum
Highland County
Weekend
English
Highland County is well-known to birders. In the winter, you can see Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks and other more northern species. Also a real hot spot during migration. I have a cottage for rent (reasonal rates) and am willing to show you where to go to see birds.
H
Myers
Keezletown
Anytime
English some Spanish
I have been avidly birding for 18 years. We have moved from the mountains of West Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We still have mountains around us from the Blue Ridge to the east and the Shenandoah to the west. I see less warblers here than in the mountains except during migration but see more waterbirds and shorebirds especially during migration.
We also have very active bird clubs in the Shenandoah Valley with regular walks and activities.
Area:
Shenandoah Valley
Area Birds:
warblers, waterbirds and shorebirds
Interests:
Nature: birdwatching
C
Metzgar
Manakin Sabot
Anytime
English some Spanish
West of Richmond, VA; wooded areas, flat, some marsh, near large river. Good winter and spring birds. Amateur; several international trips. Just for fun.
R
Young
McLean
Weekend
English
J
Harris
Orlean, Virginia, USA
Sundays and Mondays. Other times possible.
English, Spanish, Indonesian (coversational)
Hi, I am a birder based in Orlean, VA. I visit the hotspots in Fauquier County often and make regular trips to other areas in northern Virginia and adjacent West Virginia. Our region is rich in birds by piedmont standards and we have a large diversity of high quality habitats (forest, shrublands, grasslands, and lakes). I'm also interested in butterflies and dragonflies.
I work at the Clifton Institute, where we have regular nature programs for the public, including bird walks.
Available, when I do not have any wild birds that I am rehabbing. Local Roanoke and local "hot spots" within 20/30 miles. Will answer questions about injured wild birds.
G
Mapel
Shenandoah Valley, zip 24469
Anytime
English
Shenandoah National Park, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg areas are my home areas. I know locations for breeding Cerulean Warblers, wintering waterfowl, and much else.
J
Blalock
South Boston
Anytime
English
Near Staunton River State Park, Staunton River Battlefield State Park, Buggs Island Lake (known as Kerr Lake in North Carolina). Only about an hour and a half from the mountains of Virginia.
D
Holsinger
Timberville
Anytime
English, some Spanish
Been birding for twenty plus years. Do bird surveys for the Forest Service.
J
Gozart
Warrenton (Northern VA)
Weekend
English
I have been birding for 10+ years. I am a member of the Northern Virginia Bird Club
and previously a member of Potomac Valley Audubon Society, where I used to live. I currently travel for work and have had the chance to bird in Italy, Austria, Singapore, and Seoul. I have birded with birding pals in San Francisco and Vienna this year and would like to get the chance to go birding with visitors of N. VA or even DC.
L
Meade
Vienna
Anytime
English
I am an active birder and photographer who often leads trips for the Northern Virginia Bird Club. This area has many birdy locations especially during migration.
C
Jeschke
Winchester
Weekend
English
T
Brill
Winchester
Weekend
English
Most parks like Shenandoah National Park. Like hiking trails. Hawk MT.PA -and WV some.
M
Hillman
Wallops Island
Weekends (generally Friday and Saturday), Open to other days.
English
I am a young professional with a passion for birding and nature. My background is in the zoo and aquarium field, where I have spent the last 6 years working as an educator, presenter, tour leader, and zookeeper.
Currently, I coordinate and lead educational programs on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including as a Birding Guide for Road Scholar.
I am avid birder, though with a degree in Zoology I can get just as excited by any other class of animal.
I'm always trying to add species to my bird/mammal/reptile/amphibian/fish lists and that gets me outdoors and traveling as much as possible in my spare time.
If you are looking for adventure on a long trek or simply some easy birding at a couple prime local spots, I would love to take you out in the Delmarva region.
Happy Birding!
Area:
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, Village Creek Drying Beds, River Legacy
Area Birds:
Waterfowl, Osprey and other birds of prey, sparrows
Interests:
Nature: birdwatching, twitching, herping, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, beach, camping
Travel: stroll, walking, hiking, climbing, train, bus, car, long walk, backpack, portage, canoe, kayak, ship, cruise
Visit: tourist site, zoo, aquarium, museum, restaurant, monument, arboretum, tech
Attend: concert, theatre, live music, convention, competition, movies, presentations
Participate: night life, party, social games, volunteering, research projects
V
Laubach
Augusta County
Anytime
English
I live in Waynesboro and am a Professor of Surgery at the University of Virginia. I am the Coordinator of the nearby Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch and also a member of the Augusta Bird Club.
In addition to Augusta County, I also have extensive experience birding in nearby Rockingham, Albemarle, and Highland Counties.
I'm always looking for an excuse to get out and about. I'll be happy to show you around and help you find birds in general or specific target species if desired. It’s a big area, so we would be driving a lot.
Area:
I bird all over beautiful Shenandoah Valley, covering a wide variety of habitat as well as low elevations (valley floor and rivers) and high elevations (Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains).
Some good birding areas include: Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Augusta Springs, Swoope, Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve, Big Levels, Guthrie Rd, Bells Lane, Deerfield Valley, Reddish Knob, and all area ponds, lakes, and rivers. There are also lots of great birding areas in Rockingham and Highland Counties too numerous to list here.
Area Birds:
All-year birds include raptors, owls, sparrows, woodpeckers, game birds, blackbirds, waders, etc. Spring through fall brings lots of warblers, vireos, shorebirds, tanagers, grosbeaks, swallows, flycatchers, etc.
Fall through spring brings us grebes, swans, geese, ducks, mergansers and a few gulls. Highlights include Lapland Longspur (winter), Short-eared Owl (winter), Red-Crossbill, Rusty Blackbird, Bobolink, Dickcissel, Mourning, Golden-winged, and Blue-winged Warblers, Veery, Grasshopper Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike (winter), Red-breasted Nuthatch, Virginia Rail.
Interests:
Nature: birdwatching, photography, plants, wildlife watching
Travel: walking, hiking, car
Visit: vineyard, brewery, tourist site, museum, restaurant
Attend: concert, theatre, live music
Professional Guides
If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.