Field trips for members and guests. See newsletter for more details.

October Field Trips

Fall Sparrow Walk, Saturday, Oct. 11: 8:00 am – Slate Lick Fields
The term “sparrow” is often used for just about any little brown bird that is too difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the House Sparrow has also tainted people’s opinion of the “sparrow”. It is my opinion that native sparrows are the most underrated and overlooked group of birds. Even though their cryptic coloration and sneaky behavior make a challenge to see, they are no doubt a beautiful and diverse group of birds.

So, study your field guides and join us as we walk the relatively flat forest road and search the fields along Slate Lick for migrant and wintering sparrows. Hopefully we will find some of the more unusual migrant sparrows like Lincoln’s Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow or maybe even a Clay-colored Sparrow. I can’t guarantee that anything will come out in the open or sit still long enough to get great looks, but we’ll do our best. And of course we will look for anything else that might be around, including migrant warblers, hawks and resident birds. Please wear appropriate clothing and be prepared for ticks if you choose to walk into the fields.

We will plan to meet at the overlook parking area at Slate Lick. Parking is somewhat limited, so please contact Matt Gingerich at fieldtrips@rockinghambirdclub.com if you plan to attend or are interested in carpooling and we will come up with a plan. See directions below.

Location: Slate Lick Fields – Hog Pen Rd, Fulks Run, VA 22830
From Harrisonburg, follow SR 763/Mt Clinton Pike northwest which turns into Singers Glen Rd and turn left (west) onto SR 613/763 Whitmore Shop Rd which becomes Hopkins Gap Rd. In 7.2 miles, turn left (north) onto SR 817/Genoa Rd. In 0.8 miles, turn left onto Hog Pen Rd and continue through a wooded area until the parking area appears to the right at the wooden overlook platform.

Hillandale Bird Walk, Tuesday, Oct. 14: We will meet at Shelter 12 at 8:30 AM. Hopefully we will catch some fall migrants! Contact Kathy Byers at 540-308-9555 or at fieldtrips@rockinghambirdclub.com for questions or more info.

September Field Trips

Hillandale Bird Walk, Tuesday, Sept. 9: We will meet at Shelter 12 at 8:30 AM. Hopefully we will catch some fall migrants! Contact Kathy Byers at 540-308-9555 for questions or more info. Alternatively, contact us here.

Evening Shorebird Search – Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction Date TBD – 6:00 pm – watch for an email update: Rockingham County doesn’t offer much habitat for shorebirds. However, the fields around the Produce Auction have become known for attracting migrating shorebirds in early fall. Each September, after the corn harvest, the open fields provide open habitat suitable for migrating Killdeer, American Golden-Plovers, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and more. If and when the conditions are right and the birds are present, we will plan an evening to gather at the Produce Auction to look for these shorebirds. Watch for an email announcement about the date and time.

Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, Thursday, September 18, weather permitting: Anyone interested can meet around 10 AM outside the long-closed Inn at Afton (at the intersections of Rt 250 and Howardsville Turnpike, uphill from where Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway meet.) This will be around peak Broad-winged Hawk migration. Peak day in the past has fallen between Sept 16 and 22 or so, with thousands of Broad-wings tallied in a single day. No need to sign up. Rain will cancel. Please contact Diane Lepkowski with questions, (or if you’d like to connect with others to carpool) at dianelep1@yahoo.com. For more information, visit http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org/ and/or find them on Facebook.

Hillandale Autumn Equinox Bird Walk, Monday, Sept. 22: We will meet at Shelter 12 at 1:30 PM. Get your last summer birds and first fall birds on one walk! Contact Kathy Byers at 540-308-9555 for questions or more info. Alternatively, contact us here.

Field Trip to Raptor Hill Falconry

August Field Trips

Hillandale Bird Walk, Tuesday, Aug. 12: We will meet at Shelter 12 at 8:30 AM. Contact Tom Mizell at 540-810-5898, or Kathy Byers at 540-308-9555 for questions or more info. Alternatively, contact us here.

July Field Trips

Hillandale Bird Walk, Tuesday, July 8: We will meet at Shelter 12 at 8:30 AM. Contact Tom Mizell at 540-810-5898, or Kathy Byers at 540-308-9555 for questions or more info. Alternatively, contact us here.

Raptor Hill Falconry in Luray, Thursday, July 24:

We have two club trips scheduled: Thursday, July 24 at 5:30 pm and Saturday, September 6 at 4:45 pm. We should be at the falconry for about an hour and a half. The cost will be $37.50 for each member. We must limit each trip to twelve people, so reservations will be required and done on a first-come first-serve basis.  Sign-up for these trips will open June 13 at 9:00am. To make a reservation please call or text Kathy Byers at 540-820-6517. Please leave a message that includes which date you wish to reserve, your name and the names of any family members you may be bringing. More details will be given closer to the trip dates, but here are some highlights we can look forward to. 

Experience Highlights   

• First, delve into the rich ancient history between humans and raptors in our Tudor style classroom.
• Learn about birds of prey and their importance to the ecosystem. Here you will be exposed to the equipment, behavioral science, training techniques, natural history, care and management of raptors.
• Look into the eyes of an owl, witness the majesty of some members of our raptor family.
• See an exciting flight demonstration.
• Gain knowledge on current issues facing these spectacular predators and learn some simple solutions you can participate in to insure their future existence.

May Field Trips

Lawn Chair Birding trip to Shenandoah National Park, Wednesday, May 7: (rain date May 14) We will meet at the Kohl’s (2035 E Market St) parking lot at 7:30 am for carpooling from Harrisonburg.

We have done this trip in the past, and it involves a combination of stops at overlooks, short walks, and/or lawn chair birding at places such as South River and Lewis Mountain Picnic Grounds (both have restroom facilities). Our last stop is Big Meadows, where we again break out the lawn chairs and enjoy the birds and scenery. We actually sit and wait for birds to come to us! We hope to depart Big Meadows for home around 2 or 2:30 depending on weather, sightings or what people need to do.

We carry lots of snacks and drink as we relax in our lawn chairs (or picnic tables), breathe in the mountain air, and view birds and wildlife. Sitting is not required, and those that wish to roam a bit are free to do so. Participants should bring lawn chairs, jackets, plenty of food and snacks, water, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Registration is required for this outing. Please contact Kathy Byers at 540-308-9555 to register. A Park pass (annual or lifetime) would be helpful for at least one participant in each vehicle in the group. Please include this information when registering, if appropriate.

April Field Trips

Madison Run / Browns Gap Fire Road (Shenandoah National Park), Saturday April 12, with Greg Moyers – Join Greg at 9:00 AM to seek some of our earliest returning warblers and more. This is a great spot to see Louisiana Waterthrushes and other early-returning birds such as Pine Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, and Black-and-white Warbler. Meet at the fire road at 9:00 AM. We should conclude around noon. This is a fairly easy walk, with a gentle incline, along Madison Run on a well-maintained gravel fire road. Expect about a 3.5-4-mile round trip. There are no restroom facilities. Please contact Greg at 434-3029 if you plan to attend or need directions.

March Field Trips

Madison Run / Browns Gap Fire Road (Shenandoah National Park) & Ore Bank Rd, Woodcock Trip — Wednesday evening, March 12, with Diane Lepkowski – Join Diane under the nearly-full moon as we aim to find American Woodcock males displaying to impress the ladies! We’ll meet along the Fire Road at 6:45 PM & probably then head north to a viewing spot on Ore Bank Rd. Drive on your own or let Diane know if you wish to connect with others for carpooling (20-minute drive from Harrisonburg.) Park along the beginning of the Fire Rd, an extension of Browns Gap Rd, just east of the Ore Bank Rd intersection, taking care not to block the road. This is at the foot of the mountain, east of Grottoes, just inside SNP. Please sign up with Diane if you plan to attend or have questions.

November Field Trips

Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding: Friday November 8 (Sunday November 10, rain date.) Sign-up required due to limited space. Debbie Harrison will lead this evening trip, meeting in Broadway to carpool to Highland Retreat. Contact her to sign up (include your cell phone number, full name and name of any guest.) Rain or wind will cancel the trip.

October Field Trips

Field Trip Reminder: Virginia Wildlife Center Field Trip, Saturday, October 12
We will meet at the Virginia Wildlife Center, 1800 S Delphine Ave, Waynesboro, VA at 9:45 am on Saturday, October 12. Please remember to bring $5 per person in cash or a check made out to Rockingham Bird Club. Carpooling when possible is suggested. There are a few spots still available. Registration for this trip closes October 7. Contact Kathy Byers at 540-308-9555
***Participants might want to stop by the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch that day as well.

September Field Trips

Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, Friday, September 20, weather permitting: Anyone interested can meet by around 10 AM outside the long-closed Inn at Afton (at the intersections of Rt 250 and Howardsville Turnpike, uphill from where Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway meet.) This will be around peak Broad-winged Hawk migration. Peak day in the past has fallen between Sept 16 and 22 or so, with thousands of Broad-wings tallied in a single day. No need to sign up. Rain will cancel. Please contact Diane Lepkowski with questions. For more information, visit http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org/ and/or find them on Facebook.