Roanoke Valley Bird Club

Field Trip -- Woodcock Walk at Bent Mountain Center
2026-03-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Bent Mountain Center, 10148 Tinsley Ln, Bent Mountain, Roanoke, VA, 24059, United States
Leader: Robin Austin (540-676-0951)
Meet Robin at the Bent Mountain Community Center at 6:00pm for an evening walk of birding and Woodcock watching. We will visit the boardwalk at the community center (formerly Bent Mountain Elementary school) and then walk the surrounding area. The group will then carpool to a nearby area to observe the Woodcocks that start their courtship flight at sunset. Walking is level, but wear waterproof shoes as we will be walking on the grassy roadside. Directions: The Community Center is at 10148 Tinsley Lane, Bent Mountain VA 24059.

Field Trip -- Sewage Treatment Plant - Sunday Morning
2026-03-29 09:00 - 11:30 | Roanoke Sewage Treatment Plant, 1502 Brownlee Ave SE, Roanoke, VA, 24014, United States
Leader: Kent Davis 540-353-6388

Join us for a walk around the Sewage Treatment Plant. Entrance to the STP is by special permit and trip participants must all enter at the same time and stay together with our leader. This site is one of the best spots for viewing shorebirds in the Roanoke Valley. The property includes inpoundments, sludge ponds, mudflats, riparian habitat and woodlands. Besides shorebirds, we can expect to see resident hawks and possibly ravens and fish crows. The walking is mostly flat with a short steep trail. Sturdy waterproof boots are recommended as it often is muddy. Directions: Meet at the Greenway parking lot off of Bennington Street near the bridge over the Roanoke River; the entrance to the parking area is between the bridge and Brownlee Avenue. Note that Thirteenth Street SE changes names to Bennington Street at the bridge over the Roanoke River. After the group has gathered, we will caravan or walk the short distance to the STP, so please arrive minutes early.

Field Trip -- Oak Grove Park
2026-04-08 08:00 - 10:30 | Oak Grove Park, 5005 Grandin Rd Ext, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Second Wednesday Midweek Walk – Oak Grove Park, Roanoke 8:00 am.
Leader: David Frye (248-459-6783) Join us on a bird hike through a Roanoke local spot—Oak Grove Park. We will bird the immediate park area beside the parking lot and then head out on a trail that hugs a hillside and meanders through a hardwood forest area. Directions: The group will gather at 8:00 am. at Oak Grove Park, southwest of Electric Rd (route 419) off of Grandin Road Extension, behind Oak Grove Elementary School.

Membership Meeting -- April 2026
2026-04-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24018.
Program – “Tour of Southern Africa – Birds and Wildlife” – Speaker: David Frye
The end of the dry season and the first rains falling in southern Africa prompt all of nature to begin to come alive again. Dave will take the audience on a photographic journey to Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa, highlighting birds and wildlife encountered in three separate National Parks (Victoria Falls NP, Chobe NP, and Pilanesberg NP).

Field Trip - Hinchee Trail - Saturday, 18April 8:00am
2026-04-18 08:00 - 11:00 | Hinchee Trail, 1918 Dutch Oven Road, Salem, VA, 24153, United States
Hinchee Trail Hike – Saturday 8:00am
Leaders: Kathy Clemo (540-314-7049) and George Clemo (540-798-5370) – Join the Clemos as they lead you on the Hinchee Trail up in the direction of Carvins Cove. The trail is two miles long but the group will turn around after walking about 1 ½ hours. The trail goes uphill and part of it is a gravel road. Directions: We’ll meet at the Hanging Rock trailhead on Dutch Oven Rd just north of the Orange Market at the intersection of Routes 419 and 311 in Salem.

Field Trip - Warbler Road / Arcadia - Saturday, 25April 2026 7:45am
2026-04-25 | Warbler Road, Arcadia
Warbler Road / Arcadia – Saturday, 7:45am
Leaders: Tim and Alyce Quinn (540-537-1831)
This is our annual trek along several roadways that attract spring migrants and more specifically… wait for it… warblers! Join leaders Tim and Alyce Quinn for one of our favorite trips to see warblers. The group will bird a series of forest service roads between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Arcadia in search of warblers and other Neotropical migrants. This trip usually lasts well into the afternoon, so bring drinks, snacks and a lunch. Dress in layers. There is limited space for pulling off on Warbler Road, so we’ll need to carpool as much as possible. In the event of bad weather, the field trip will be held the next day, April 26th. Call Alyce (540-312-6844) or Tim (540-537-1831) if there is any doubt on the forecast. Please meet up at 7:45am at the Botetourt Bojangles.

Field Trip - Starkey Wetlands - Wednesday, 29April 2026
2026-04-29 08:00 - 10:30 | Starkey Wetlnds, 6303 Merriman Rd, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Starkey Wetlands – Wednesday Bird Walk – South Conty Library 8:00 am
Leader: David Frye (248-459-6783)
Join us for a Wednesday morning stroll on the boardwalk through the Starkey Wetlands area behind the South County Library in Cave Spring. We will walk through the wild areas, taking advantage of a couple pathways as well as the main boardwalk there. Migration will be well underway and this wetland habitat can draw in a nice variety of spring migrants. The walk will be mostly on flat well-developed paths for about a total 1 mile. Directions: Travel Route 227 (Brambleton Ave), turning onto southeast bound Merriman Rd or take Route 419 (Electric Rd), turning southbound on Chapparal Drive and then onto southeast bound Merriman Rd. The library is at the first turn-off from the roundabout at Meadowlark Rd. We’ll meet up near the outdoor patio area on the east end of the library building.

VSO Field Trip - New River Valley - Blacksburg, VA
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-03 | VA
01-03May 2026 – New River Valley
This is the Virginia Society of Ornithology’s Summer Field Trip. Headquarters for the trip is the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Blacksburg, VA. Details of the trip and itinerary are on the VSO website (www.virginiabirds.org/vso-events/nrv-2026).
This trip is now fully booked to capacity. Call Meredith Bell regarding any cancellations/fill-in opportunities that may emerge.

Big Spring Day 2026
2026-05-09 | VA
Saturday, 09May 2026 — Big Spring Day bird count
Our Annual joint event with Lynchburg Bird Club counting as many species and individual birds as our clubs can collectively observe. Compiler, Toni Pepin has teams of birders for established territories that begin their counts on Saturday morning and bird into the afternoon. She can always use additional people that might wish to get in on a fun day of birding with one of the teams. Contact Toni (571-246-2598) to join in or with any questions that you may have.

Membership Meeting - Monday, 11May 2026
2026-05-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24018.
Program – “Members’ Photography Night” Our Membership includes a number of terrifically talented photographers. For this evening (rescheduled from December), we turn the podium over to these folks and invite them to show us 5-10 of their favorite photos from a thumb drive/stick and talk us through how the photo was taken, where the encounter happened, and a little about the rest of the story.
Another excellent part of this evening is the assortment of delicious goodies that are volunteered for the event. Yum!

Field Trip -- Greenfield Lake - Cherry Blossom Trail
2026-05-13 08:00 - 11:00 | Botetourt Center at Greenfield, 57 S. Center Drive, Daleville, VA, 24083, United States
Second Wednesday Midweek Walk – Botetourt Center at Greenfield, 8:00 am

Leader: Toni Pepin (571-246-2598) Join us for a bird walk on the Cherry Blossom Trail at Greenfield. We will walk around Greenfield Lake and possibly to the pond beyond. The walk will be mostly flat walking for about 1 mile each way. Bring your spotting scope if you have one.
Directions: Take Exit 150B on 1-81 and follow signs to Route 220N. Go about 4 miles and take a left at the entrance onto International Parkway and the Greenfield Education and Training Center, across from the entrance to Ashley Plantation. Park in the second lot on right.

Field Trip - Mill Mountain Park Walk
2026-05-16 08:00 - 11:00 | Mill Mountain Park, 2198 Mill Mountain Spur, Roanoke, VA, 24014, United States
Mill Mountain Park – Saturday 8:00am
Leaders: Linda Cory (540-580-5214) and Sissy Logan (540-353-4500)
Join Linda and Sissy for a morning walk through the gardens atop Mill Mountain. The park at the peak of the mountain is a beautiful horticultural and avian spot, especially in spring. Directions: From Jefferson Street in Roanoke City, turn onto southeast bound Walnut Street and follow it as it turns into the parkway that circles up to the top of Mill Mountain, turning right at the intersection of Mill Mountain Spur Drive (at the Big ‘Ol Bikes sculpture). Park in the lot adjacent to the Discovery Center to meet up with the group.

Field Trip - Green Hill Park Bird Walk
2026-05-20 07:00 - 11:00 | Green Hill Park, 2501 Green Hill Park Rd, Salem, VA, 24153, United States
Wednesday at Green Hill Park – Salem 7:00am (note: specific start time)
Leader: Kent Skaggs (308-627-5414) Join Kent for our annual walk around the varied habitats of this multi-use park. The grounds circle along the Roanoke River and return through new-growth forest with open margins that provide good habitat for a wide range of birds. Directions: From West Main Street, Salem, turn left at Diuguids Road. In less than ½ mile, cross the Roanoke River and then turn right onto Green Hill Park Road. The parking lot that’s the first on the right will be our gathering spot.

Field Trip - Happy Hollow Gardens Park Bird Walk
2026-05-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Happy Hollow Gardens
Happy Hollow Park – Saturday 8:00am
Leader: David Frye (248-459-6783) We will walk through a lovely shaded garden and forested area, looking for newly arrived migrant and resident woodland birds. Directions: From southbound Brambleton Ave (Route 221), turn onto westbound Roselawn Rd (Route 689), which winds its way through Cave Spring. At the junction of Mt. Chestnut Rd (Route 692) turn left and proceed along its meandering route to the park entrance road intersection, and turning right.

Field Trip - Keagy Village Meadows Bird Walk
2026-05-30 08:00 - 10:00 | Keagy Village Meadows
Keagy Village Meadows – Saturday 8:00am
Leader: Drew Daniels (248-459-6783) Grassy meadows birding is a different thing. Birders need to exercise a bit of patience, as the grasses provide good protection for birds that nest and breed in these increasingly precious areas. Drew will show us a spot that can be productive for sparrows that may pop up at any time. Birders will need to be ready for anything that may move suddenly in the grasses or fly overhead. Directions: At the intersection with Apperson Dr (US 11), head southbound on Electric Rd (Route 419), turning right onto Keagy Rd (Route 685). The meet up location will be the parking lot behind the Famous Toastery restaurant.

Field Trip - Summertime Butterflies!
2026-08-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Botetourt Center at Greenfield, 57 S. Center Drive, Daleville, VA, 24083, United States
Summer Butterfly Walk at Greenfield – Saturday 9:00am
Leader: Toni Pepin (571-246-2598) Toni will take us to one of our favorite viewing grounds – Greenfield Lake, but this time focusing on beautiful butterflies! So, dial those binoculars for close-up viewing and enjoy this summertime walk. The Cherry Blossom Trail at Greenfield is mostly level for easy walking about 1-mile each way. Directions: Take Exit 150B on I-81 and follow signs for Route 220 N. Go about 4 miles and take a left at the entrance to the Greenfield Education and Training Center, across from the entrance to Ashley Plantation. Park in the second lot on the right.
