Leesylvania State Park/ Julie Metz Wetlands (Prince William Co.)
From I-495, take I-95 south about 14 mi. to Exit 156 (Dale City/Rippon Landing/Rte. 784). Following the posted highway signs for Leesylvania State Park, exit east on Rte. 784. Proceed eastward 1.1 mi. to US Rte. 1. Turn right (south) on Rte. 1 and go 0.9 miles to Neabsco Road. Immediately past the Wawa service station, turn left (east) on Neabsco Rd. and proceed 2 mi. to park entrance on right. After passing through the park entrance gate, go 2.2 miles to end of paved road and park in "Picnic Area" parking lot, immediately before turn-around circle at fishing pier.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITES CPW03 and CPW04

Great Falls Park (Fairfax Co.)
From I-495, take Rte. 193 (Georgetown Pike) west 4 mi. to traffic light at Old Dominion Dr. Turn right and go about 0.8 mi. to park entrance station. Continue straight ahead to parking lot beyond the Visitor Center. Meet at Visitor Center. US fee area.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CGF10

Algonkian Regional Park (Loudoun Co.)
From I-495 (Capital Beltway), take Rte. 7 west 11 miles to Cascades Parkway north, and drive 3 miles to the park entrance. Meet at the parking lot beside swimming pools.
Algonkian Regional Park

Banshee Reeks (Loudoun Co.)
From I-495 (Capital Beltway), take Rte. 7, or Dulles Toll Rd. and Greenway, west to Leesburg. Continue west on Rte. 7 to Rte. 15 South exit. Go south on Rte.15 a short distance to Rte. 621 (Evergreen Mills Rd.). Turn left on Rte. 621, and go 4-5 mi. to Rte. 771 (The Woods Rd.). Turn right on Rte. 771, go 1 mi., and turn left into Banshee Reeks nature preserve. Pass two houses on right; third house on left is temporary visitor center. Meet there.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE PFF08

Belle Haven Park/Dyke Marsh (Fairfax Co.)
From Alexandria, take Mount Vernon Parkway south. Cross Beltway, continue 1.2 mi. to Belle Haven Park entrance on left. Meet at south parking lot. Bring scope.

Burke Lake Park (Fairfax Co.)
From I-495, take exit 54 west (Braddock Road). Stay in right lane if you are coming from the North. On Braddock Road, go 1.5 miles and turn left onto Burke Lake Road. Go 4.7 miles and turn left onto Route 123 (Ox Road). Turn left at second traffic light (big parking signs) and then turn left immediately after the entrance booth.  Park in the first lot on the right (by the mini-golf course)

Fort C.F. Smith (Arlington Co.)
From I-495 east, take Exit 72 (Spout Run Pkwy.). At traffic light, turn right on Lee Hwy. At successive traffic lights, turn left onto Spout Run Pkwy., then left onto Lorcom Lane, then right onto Fillmore St. Go one block on Fillmore, turn right onto N. 24th St. (watch for speed humps), and continue to park on left at 2411 N. 24th St. Meet in parking lot at east end of park. [Alternate route from Alexandria: Take G.W. Pkwy. north, take left exit onto Spout Run, then right exit onto Lorcom Lane, and follow remaining directions above.]
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CGF06

Hidden Oaks Nature Center (Fairfax Co.)
From I-495, take Route 236 (Little River Turnpike) east 0.6 mi. to first traffic light at Hummer Rd. Turn left on Hummer and go 0.4 mi. to Royce St. Turn left onto Royce and go 0.1 mi. to Nature Center at 7701 Royce.

Huntley Meadows Park(Fairfax Co.)
From Beltway, take Rte. 1 south 3 mi. to Lockheed Blv . Turn right on Lockheed Blvd.; go 0.5 mi. to Harrison Lane, park entrance on left. Meet in parking lot.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CMN04

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (D.C.)
A garden of waterlily ponds surrounded by wetlands and marsh. See http://www.nps.gov/keaq/. Meet 8:30 AM at Belle Haven, south parking lot. We will carpool from there.
See Belle Haven directions

Long Branch Nature Area (Arlington Co.)
Rte. 50, east from Fairfax or west from Rosslyn, to Carlin Springs exit. South on Carlin Spgs. 0.5 mi. to Nature Center on left, just south of N. Va. Community Hospital on left. Meet at Nature Ctr. parking lot. Rain date next day.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CGF15

Manassas Battlefield (Prince William Co.)
Meet at the Cracker Barrel, 10801 Battlefield Pkwy., just north of the intersection of I-66 and Rte. 234. Wear sturdy shoes. US fee area.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CBR08

Mason Neck State Park (Fairfax Co.)
From I-495, take I-95 south 7 mi. to Lorton exit. Left on Rte. 642 to Rte. 1. Right on Rte. 1 to Rte. 242 (Gunston Rd.). Left on Rte. 242; go 4 mi. to Mason Neck Mgmt. Area. Turn right; follow paved road to end at State Park Visitor Center; meet there. State fee area.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CMN08

Meadowood (Fairfax County)
From I-495, take I-95 south 7 miles to Lorton exit. Turn left on Route 642. Immediately after passing under RR tracks, (1/4 mile) turn right on Lorton Market Road, which soon becomes Gunston Cove Road. After crossing Route 1, road becomes Gunston Road. Go 1.8 miles to 10406 Gunston Road. (BLM,Lower Potomac Station Office). Park on the right next to the horse barns just before the field station building.
SPECIAL RECREATION AREA

Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area (Prince William Co.) From the I-395 & I-95 (Beltway) junction, go south on I-95 approximately 17 miles to Dumfries Road (VA 234). Turn right (west) on Dumfries Road, go a little over 6 miles, and, just before arriving in Independent Hill, turn left (south-west) on VA 642 (Aden Road). Proceed approximately 6 miles on VA 642 to the stop sign in Aden, and then turn left (south) on Fleetwood Drive (VA 611). Proceed 1 mile south from stop sign and turn left (east) on Deepwood Lane (VA 645). Continue past WMA entrance gate at 0.3 miles to very end of Deepwood Lane. Park in Cedar Run parking area (not North parking area). Wear footgear appropriate to damp grassy paths. Restroom facilities may not be available.
MERRIMAC FARM WMA

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Prince William Co.)
From I-495, take I-95 south 9 mi. to (left) Exit 161 (Woodbridge). South on Rte. 1 about 2 mi. to Dawson Beach Rd. Go left on Dawson Beach 0.7 mi. to entrance gate. Trip will meet in parking lot. Bring scope. U.S. fee area.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CPW02

Riverbend Park (Visitor Center) (Fairfax Co.)
From I-495, take Rte. 193 west 5 mi. to Rte. 603 (Riverbend Rd.). Right onto Rte. 603; go 2 mi. to Jeffery Rd. Right onto Jeffery; go 0.8 mi. to main park entrance sign on right. Turn right and continue 0.5 mi.to Visitor Center parking lot. Meet in front of Visitor Center. Bring scope.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE CGF11

Sky Meadows State Park (Fauquier Co.)
From I-495, take I-66 west 42 mi. to exit for Rte. 17 north (Delaplane/Paris). North on Rte. 17 6.5 mi. to Rte.
710. Left into park; go 1 mi. to Visitor Center parking lot. Bring lunch. State fee area.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE MFR03

Thompson Wildlife Management Area (Fauquier Co.)
From I-495, take I-66 west 51 mi. to Linden exit (Rte. 79). Go left (south) from exit ramp on Rte. 79 approx. 1000 ft. to Rte. 55. Turn left (east) on Rte. 55; go 1.2 mi. to Rte. 638 (Freezeland Rd.). Turn left (north) onto Rte. 638. Follow Rte. 638 5.3 mi. to Trillium Trail Parking Area on right (look for sign on kiosk). Parking Area is about 0.5 mi. beyond radio towers. Meet there. WMA Access Fee Required! For information see www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit. Permits are not available at the Thompson WMA.

Remington Sod Farms
Call the leader, Joanna Taylor, 703/243-5989, for location and time of meeting.

Weekend Trips

Reservations are required for these trips, and they are for members only. (See JOIN for information on becoming a member). Details on these trips are published in the club's newsletter, The Siskin.

Blandy Experimental Farm (Clarke County)
Take I-66 West to Rt. 17 North (Exit 23, sign says Delaplane/Paris). Follow Route 17 North to its junction with Route 50 West at a traffic light. Turn left onto Route 50/17, the Arboretum is approximately 7 miles on the left, about 3 miles past the Shenandoah River.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE MFR06

Blue Ridge Center (Loudoun County)
The Blue Ridge Center is 2 miles from the Potomac River in northwest Loudoun County, Va., 18 miles from Leesburg, Va., 15 miles from Frederick, Md., and 5 miles from Harpers Ferry, W.Va. From Leesburg: Go west on U.S. 7, right on Rt. 9., then right on Rt. 671/Harpers Ferry Rd. Go 6 miles to the Blue Ridge Center entrance on the left, just past the Neersville Fire Station. From Frederick: Go south on U.S. 340. Cross the Potomac River and go left on Rt. 671/Harpers Ferry Rd. Go 2 miles to Blue Ridge Center entrance on right.
VIRGINIA BIRDING and WILDLIFE TRAIL SITE PFF01

Swift/Nighthawk Watch
Call the leader, Joanna Taylor, 703/243-5989, for details.

X-Trip to Northern Neck
An eXtreme trip is a full day trip within 2 to 2½ hours driving from Northern Virginia. The goal is to expand trips beyond our traditional locations and explore other popular birding areas in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Call leaders for reservations.

Eakin Park (Fairfax County)
From I-95, take Rte. 50 west one mile to Prosperity Avenue. Left onto Prosperity, go one mile to parking lot on left.

CBC (Christmas Bird Counts)
Contact the compiler for each count circle for times and meeting places.

Potomac Overlook Regional Park (Arlington County)
From I-66 east, take Exit 72 (Spout Run Pkwy.). At traffic light, turn right on Lee Hwy. At successive traffic lights, turn left onto Spout Run Pkwy., then left onto Lorcom Lane. After turning onto Lorcom, go about a half mile, then turn right onto Nellie Custis Dr at the bottom of the hill. Continue on Nellie Custis as it bears right and becomes Military Rd to the first traffic light at Marcey Rd. Turn right onto Marcey Rd and go to the end (past the tennis courts) to the Potomac Overlook parking lot. Meet there.

Riverside Park (Fairfax County)
Take George Washington Parkway south from Old Town Alexandria for approximately 8 mi. Turn left into Riverside Park and proceed to parking lot. This park is the last pullover before Mt. Vernon. Bring scopes

Lubber Run Park (Arlington County)
Take Rt 50 or Wilson Blvd east from Fairfax or west from Rosslyn to George Mason Dr. Go north from Rt 50, south from Wilson, to N Park Dr. Meet in parking lot at Lubber Run Ctr, 300 N. Park Dr, on west side of George Mason

Dyke Marsh (Fairfax County)
From Alexandria, take George Washington Parkway south. Cross beltway, continue 1.2 miles to Belle Haven Park entrance on the left. Meet at south parking lot. (Friends of Dyke Marsh lead a walk into Dyke Marsh every Sunday at 8:00 am all year long.)

Accotink Bay (Fairfax County)
From I-95 South, take exit 166A to Fairfax County Parkway. Take the Fairfax County Parkway to its end at Richmond Highway.(US 1) Turn left on US 1. At the first light, turn right into Fort Belvoir (Tulley Gate). Proceed about 1/2 mile to security checkpoint. Do not go through the security checkpoint.Park in lot on the right.

Silver Lake Regional Park (Prince William Co)
From I-495, take I-66 west 24 mi. to exit 40 (Rt 15). Turn south onto Rt 15 (toward Haymarket) and go 0.3 mi. to Rt 55. Turn right onto Rt 55 and go 0.9 mi. to Antioch Rd. Turn right onto Antioch and go 1.3 mi. to Silver Lake Rd. Turn right and proceed to park entrance at 16198 Silver Lake Rd.

Lucketts (Loudoun Co)
Meet in the parking lot of the Lucketts Community Center, on US Route 15, 8 miles north of Leesburg. Group will carpool from there.

Huntley Meadows Hike/Bike Trail (Fairfax County)
From I-495, take Rt 1 south 0.5 mi to Rt 633 (S. Kings Hwy). Turn right (west); go 2.5 mi. to park entrance and lot on left (just beforeTelegraph Rd.).

Lake Accotink Park (Fairfax County)
From I-95, take Rt 644 (Old Keene Mill Rd) west to Backlick Rd.Take Backlick north approx. 1 mile to Highland St. (look for brown park sign). Turn left onto Highland St. Follow signs to Lake Accotink; take Accotink Park Rd past visitor center to parking lot near railroad trestle. The walk will start from the carousel near the lakeside parking lot.

Riverbend Park Nature Center (Fairfax County)
From intersection of Georgetown Pk (Rt 193) and Old Dominion Dr (Rt 738) take Georgetown Pk west about 0.25 mi. to traffic light at Riverbend Rd. Turn right onto Riverbend; go 2 mi. to Jeffery Rd. Turn right and stay on Jeffrey about 1.5 mi.,past the main park entrance. Jeffrey makes a sharp right turn and deadends in the Nature Center parking lot.

Black Hill Regional Park/Little Seneca Lake, Montgomery Co., MD

From Northern Virginia, take I-495 North and cross the American Legion Bridge into Maryland.  Follow signs to I-270 North, Frederick, staying in the left lanes as I-495 veers off to the right.  Stay on I-270 North past exits for Rockville, Montgomery Village and Germantown, and take Exit 16-A (East) on Father Hurley Boulevard, towards Damascus. In just about 1 mile, turn left (North) onto N. Frederick Rd., MD-355 at traffic light.  In less than a mile, the road narrows to two lanes; shortly after that Brink Rd. comes in from the right and you will almost immediately turn left onto Old Baltimore Rd. Proceed on Old Baltimore Rd. (carefully -- there's a traffic camera on this stretch!) for about 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Lake Ridge Drive, the park entrance road.  The turn comes very soon after Old Baltimore Rd. runs underneath I-270 (no ramps here).  Continue on Lake Ridge Drive for just over a mile, past the park entrance booth (no need to stop) and make the sharp, downhill right-hand turn on to Black Hills Rd.  Drive a short distance, over the arm of the lake and then uphill to a flat unpaved parking lot on the right, where the trip will start.  Do not park in the paved lot on the left, which is for boat ramp users.