Roanoke Valley Bird Club

Roanoke Sewage Treatment Plant - Sunday 9:00am
2025-12-28 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | 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. Birders know that they’re in for a treat anytime they have a visit to the sewage settling ponds! It’s a holiday festive occasion! 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.

Christmas Bird Count
2025-12-20 08:00 - 16:00 | VA
RVBC Annual Christmas Bird Counts in Roanoke and Fincastle
Leaders/Compilers: Bill Hunley – Roanoke (wjhunley@gmail.com) and Andrew Newcombe – Fincastle (anewco15@gmail.com).
Volunteers participate in survey counts within their specific assigned territories and forward the results to the respective compilers.

Garst Mill Park - Roanoke
2025-12-10 09:00 - 11:00 | Garst Mill Park
Wednesday at Garst Mill Park — 9:00am (note start time change — Winter season)
Leader: David Frye (248-459-6783) — Meet Dave at Garst Mill Park for a stroll along the Greenway within Garst Mill Park. We will be looking for resident songbirds and woodpeckers. The path meanders beside the length of Mud Lick Creek and may offer opportunities to view puddle ducks or a heron along its banks. Directions: From Brambleton Ave in Cave Spring (just north of Electric Rd) turn onto Northbound Garst Mill Rd. Turn left onto westbound Halevan Rd and then the park entrance is at the first left.

Membership Meeting
2025-12-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Canceled due to weather! December Membership Meeting – 7:00pm Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24018.
December’s Membership Meeting will feature our Members and their own beautiful photographic efforts. If you’d wish to show a few of your favorite bird photos, please contact Drew Daniels (and bring a flash drive loaded with what you’d care to share). Also, featured is the sharing of Holiday Treats – please bring a plate of your favorites!

Jae Valley Park Field Trip
2025-11-22 08:00 - 11:00 | Jae Valley Park, 3877-3899 Jae Valley Rd, Roanoke, VA, 24014, United States
22Nov2025 – Jae Park Bird Hike – Saturday 8:00am
Leader: David Frye (248-459-6783) Join us for a trip to a nearby park area that’s relatively under-birded. It will be our first visit here for a while and we’re looking to rediscover a local park that can be productive for birds. We’ll be looking for late fall migrants (incl. Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows). Directions: From Roanoke SW take Walnut Ave eastbound across the bridge (across I-581, the railroad, and the Roanoke River) turning left on Piedmont Rd. After one block, turn right onto Riverland Rd SE and follow this route southeast until you reach the junction with Bennington St. Stay to the right and the route turns into Mount Pleasant Blvd and heads further southeast. This road (Route 116) goes straight and becomes Jae Valley Rd which gets you to the park entrance. Turn right into Jae Valley Park.

Second Wednesday Bird Hike
2025-11-12 08:00 - 10:30 | VA
Wednesday Bird Walk – Botetourt Center at Greenfield, 8:00 am.
Leader: David Frye (248-459-6783) 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.

Membership Meeting
2025-11-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Join us for our monthly meeting—visitors always welcome!
Featured Program: TBA
Presenter: TBA

Highland Park Bird Hike -- Emphasis on New Birders!
2025-11-08 08:00 - 10:30 | Highland Park, 502 Washington Ave SW, Roanoke, VA, 24016, United States
Saturday in the Park – A Stroll through Highland Park – 8:00am
Special Invite: Novice Birders or anyone wishing to “get their feet wet” with birds!
Leader: David Frye (248-459-6783) Join us for a gentle walk through a beautiful local park in Old Southwest. We should see lots of familiar birds that we love, as well as a surprise or two in this nicely wooded park area. The park has paved trails, but the park is hilly and a bit uneven. Please wear sturdy shows and dress for the November weather! Meet in the parking lot on the north side of the park. Directions: Heading from west bound Elm Ave SW turn onto southbound 5th St SW. The park is located 3 blocks south and the car park entrance is immediately beyond Washington Ave SW at a partial RH 45 deg turn onto Joel Richert Way.

Montvale Park -- Bedford County 8:00am
2025-10-25 08:00 - 11:00 | Montvale Park, 2630 Quarterwood Rd., Montvale, VA, 24122, United States
Join leader Kirk Gardner (828-216-9170) for a bird walk at Montvale Park! On this trip we will be targeting Lincoln’s Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow and other late-season migrants (such as Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler) as well as other local residents. Our route will follow the Creekside Trail along South Fork Goose Creek, looping back via the Soggy Bottom Trail. We will cross the creek again before returning to the parking lot. Optionally, we may explore the wetland area between the trails, including a cattail wetland, to observe diverse habitats. With the wet areas involved, Please wear muck boots, wellies, or other waterproof footwear suitable for crossing a stream. Directions: Drive northeast on route 460 traveling approx. 16 miles just past the town of Montvale and turn right onto southbound Marketplace Dr. As you approach a circular drive, the parking area will be on the right. We will meet in that gravel parking lot on the east side of the park (37.3751197-79.7129808). We will be joined by members of the Lynchburg Bird Club for this excursion.

Locher Tract Wetlands Trail
2025-10-18 08:00 - 11:00 | Locher Tract Wetlands Trail, Rockbridge County, VA, United States
Join leader Bill Hunley (540-467-3477) on a special field trip to Locher Tract, located in the Jefferson National Forest. This is a managed wildlife habitat that contains woods, open fields, a beaver pond and good views of the James River. We can expect an excellent variety of birds including Wood Duck, Brown Creeper, Fox Sparrow and Hairy Woodpecker. In the past, we have seen Rusty Blackbirds here. There will be 2 miles of level walking, but wear sturdy, waterproof shoes. Locher Tract is near Natural Bridge Station in Rockbridge County and Bill will have hand out maps showing the location. We will meet in Daleville at 8and carpool form that point. Directions: On I-81, take exit 150B and follow signs to 220N. Go 3/4 miles and take a left on Kingston Rd into the Botetourt Commons shopping center in Daleville. We will meet in the Bojangles parking area.

Membership Meeting
2025-10-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Membership Meeting October 13 – Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs building
Program: Hawks on the Wing: Seeing beyond the field marks
Speaker: Josh Haas (www.hawksonthewing.com)
Raptors in flight and migration bring a sense of wonder and struggle to birders, especially when it comes to identifying them at a distance. Field marks are not enough when back-lit conditions and birds miles out lack any color. Flight ID remains the best way to identify raptors at a distance, however books only take it so far. Join hawk watcher Josh Haas as he shares the principles of how raptors migrate so efficiently, and an ID overview including many Eastern North American raptors migrating right now!
Josh Haas is a Michigan birder, photographer and hawk watcher. He has been birding and photographing seriously for nearly 20 years with a passion for teaching others ID, birding by ear and photographing birds in flight. His photographic background and involvement with raptors at local nature centers as well as raptor migration sites spawned his movie “Hawks on the Wing” teaching viewers raptor ID through the use of video and audio commentary; including multiple species on screen side-by-side. His movie, reference guide, information about hawk-watching as well as galleries with his finest images are all available at www.hawksonthewing.com. Josh’s passion started with raptors but he can be found birding and photographing in all seasons, often with his wife, daughter and son.

Second Wednesday Bird Hike
2025-10-08 08:00 - 10:30 | Oak Grove Park, 5005 Grandin Rd Ext, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Oak Grove Park, Roanoke — 8:00am
Join leader David Frye (248-459-6783) for a Wednesday morning (08Oct) bird walk through a local Roanoke spot at Oak Grove Park. We will bird the immediate grounds beside the parking lot and then head out onto a trail that hugs a hillside and meanders through a hardwood forest area. Directions: Oak Grove Park is located southwest of Electric Road (Route 419) off Grandin Road Extension, behind Oak Grove Elementary School.

Second Wednesday Bird Hike
2025-09-10 09:00 - 10:30 | The Cherry Blossom Trail, 555 International Pkwy, Daleville, VA, 24083, United States
Join RVBC and leader David Frye 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 I-81 and follow signs to Route 220N. Go about 4 miles and turn 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.

Membership Meeting
2025-09-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Join us for our monthly meeting—visitors always welcome! This will be our first meeting back following summer break!
Featured Program: The Spectacle of Crane Migration
Presenter: Kent Skaggs

Believe it or not, the annual stopover of Sandhill Cranes along the Platte River in south-central Nebraska is one of the most spectacular wildlife gatherings in North America, and underrated globally. Our own Kent Skaggs, who lived and worked right in the heart of this spectacle for over 30 years, will provide a look into the life of Sandhill Cranes in the Central Flyway, and why the Platte River is so important to this species during their spring migration.

Jae Valley Park Bird Hike
2025-05-31 08:00 - 10:00 | Jae Valley Park, 3877-3899 Jae Valley Rd, Roanoke, VA, 24014, United States
Join leaders Kent Davis (540-355-6388) and Kirk Gardner (828-216-9170) for a trip to a park area that’s under-birded yet very productive. Our Leaders, Kent and Kirk, frequently have birds flocking to them, so don’t miss this one!

Green Hill Park, Salem
2025-05-24 07:00 - 08:30 | Green Hill Park, 2501 Green Hill Park Rd, Salem, VA, 24153, United States
(Note: specific start time.) Kent Skaggs will lead us on an early morning hike along the paths of Green Hill Park. The park borders the Roanoke River and incorporates wooded habitat around its periphery.

Mill Mountain Park on Mill Mountain
2025-05-17 08:00 - 10:00 | Mill Mountain Park, 2198 Mill Mountain Spur, Roanoke, VA, 24014, United States
Join leader Linda Cory for a morning bird walk at the top of Mill Mountain. The park at the peak of the mountain is a beautiful horticultural and avian spot, especially in spring. Park in the lot adjacent to the Discovery Center to meet up with the group.

Second Wednesday Bird Hike
2025-05-14 08:00 - 10:00 | The Cherry Blossom Trail, 555 International Pkwy, Daleville, VA, 24083, United States
Join leader Bill Hunley for a Wednesday morning bird walk on the Cherry Blossom Trail at Greenfield. We will walk around Greenfield Lake and possibly to the pond beyond. It will be mostly flat walking for about 1 mile each way. Bring your spotting scope if you have one.

Membership Meeting
2025-05-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Join us for our monthly meeting—visitors always welcome! Reminder: This is our last meeting until September 2025.
Featured Program: Conservation Efforts of the Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Society
Presenters: Sean Barry and Sara Cerv

This month’s program will acquaint us with an organization that undertakes significant conservation efforts aimed at protecting and developing enhanced new habitat for wildlife—specifically Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock. Representatives from the Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Society, Sean Barry and Sara Cerv, will highlight their group’s work with landowners and government agencies to develop critical wildlife habitat utilizing scientific management practices.

Tinker Creek Lane
2025-05-10 08:00 - 10:00 | VA
Join leader Sissy Logan as she takes us for a birding hike in a beautiful tract (private property with access authorized by a friend of RVBC) just north of the Tinker Creek. The property is a mix of habitats with large open fields, wooded areas, fence rows, and areas near the creek. Expect spring migrants as well as waterfowl that may be present near the creek.
Directions: Travel route 460 and turn onto northbound Plantation Road, then turn right onto Hollins Road eastbound. Turn left onto Old Mountain Road and immediately turn right once you cross the creek onto Tinker Creek Lane. The property is at the very end of the lane.

Big Spring Day 2025
2025-05-03 09:00 - 14:00 | VA
Saturday, May 3 is Big Spring Day 2025! Join leader Barry Kinzie in the effort to count as many of our area birds as possible from Saturday morning through early afternoon. There are specific territories that need to be surveyed, and our coordinator can use all of the volunteers that he can enlist to cover them. Please contact Barry if you’re interested in getting involved and having fun!

Warbler Road, Arcadia
2025-04-26 07:30 - 15:00 | Warbler Road, Arcadia
Join leaders Tim and Alyce Quinn (540-537-1831) for one of our favorite trips to see warblers and other spring migrants. We will bird a series of forest service roads between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Arcadia. There is limited space for pulling off on these roads, so plan to carpool.
Warbler Road is a series of roads in western Virginia known to produce many species of Warblers. It starts at Milepost 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Sunset Field Overlook) and ends at the Arcadia Boat Launch on the James River.
View the Warbler Road Area Map.
Please note: The trip usually lasts well into the afternoon, so bring plenty of drinks, snacks and a lunch. Be prepared for cooler temperatures as we get into higher elevations. In the event of bad weather, the field trip will be held the next day, April 27. We will meet in the parking lot of the Botetourt Bojangles.

Membership Meeting
2025-04-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, 3640 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Join us for our monthly meeting—visitors always welcome!
Featured Program: Merlin and eBird Phone Apps 101
Presenter: David Frye

Vinyard Park
2025-04-12 08:00 - 09:00 | Vinyard Park, 150 Vinyard Park Dr, Vinton, VA, 24179, United States
Join leaders Kent Davis (540-353-6388) and Drew Daniels (540-314-6069)! This Saturday trip will feature two park areas that are a bit under-birded in Vinton.
Glade Creek runs through both east and west sections and should provide good habitat for early migrants.

Second Wednesday Bird Hike
2025-04-09 08:00 - 09:00 | Keagy Village, 5044 Keagy Rd, Roanoke, VA, 24018, United States
Join leader Drew Daniels (540-314-6069) for a Wednesday morning bird walk in the parks local to Keagy Village. Drew will lead this one and will provide more details in our April newsletter.

Hinchee Trail Hike
2025-04-05 08:00 - 11:00 | Hinchee Trail, 1918 Dutch Oven Road, Salem, VA, 24153, United States
Join leaders Kathy Clemo (540-314-7049) and George Clemo (540-798-5370) as they lead us on the Hinchee Trail up towards Carvins Cove.
The trail is two miles long, but the group will turn around after walking about 1.5 hours. The trail goes uphill and part of it is a gravel road.
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.

Evergreen Burial Park
2025-03-29 09:00 - 10:00 | Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, VA, 24015, United States
Meet leaders Linda Cory (540-580-5214) and Kent Davis (540-353-6388) for a community outreach walk, cosponsored
by Evergreen Burial Park!
*Pre-registration is required through Evergreen’s website, or call (540-342-2593).
We will be walking the perimeter of the cemetery looking for winter resident birds. Wear sturdy weatherproof shoes and be prepared for uneven surface walking.
Directions: 1307 Summit Avenue SW, Roanoke 24015. Summit Avenue is off of Main Street in Roanoke. Park along the road in front of the main office.

Woodcock Walk on Bent Mountain
2025-03-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Bent Mountain Center, 10148 Tinsley Ln, Bent Mountain, Roanoke, VA, 24059, United States
Meet leaders Robin Austin and Linda Cory at the Bent Mountain Community Center for a late afternoon 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.

Roanoke Sewage Treatment Plant Birding Walk
2025-03-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Roanoke Sewage Treatment Plant, 1502 Brownlee Ave SE, Roanoke, VA, 24014, United States
Join leaders Kent Davis and Linda Corey on March 16 at 9:00 a.m. 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 impoundments, 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 a few minutes early.

Second Wednesday Bird Hike - March 12
2025-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | The Cherry Blossom Trail, 555 International Pkwy, Daleville, VA, 24083, United States
On March 12, join RVBC and leader David Frye for a Wednesday morning 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, turn left at the entrance into International Parkway and the Greenfield Education and Training Center, across from the entrance to Ashley Plantation. Park in the second lot on right.
