2018 Birding Festivals On Wildlife Refuges In Virginia

WASHINGTON, DC — Grab your binoculars and strap on the hiking boots — the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday released its list of all the birding festivals on wildlife refuges in 2018. The refuges feature more than 700 species of birds and are managed by the service to maintain the migratory habits of birds, the agency said in a statement announcing the festivals.

"Millions of acres of wetlands, forests, grasslands, deserts and swamps — professionally managed to conserve birds and wildlife — make national wildlife refuges wonderful places for birding," Mike Carlo, visitor services specialist at the federal agency, said in a statement. "We work hard to create birder-friendly national wildlife refuges, offering facilities, activities, information and other amenities that help people enjoy connecting with natural areas and wild birds."

Festivals will take place in most months of the year all over the country. Below is a list of the festivals offered on Virginia wildlife refuges. The agency notes the festivals are very popular, so registering in advance is suggested:

JANUARY 2018

Winter Wildlife Festival
Jan. 26-28
Virginia Beach, VA

APRIL 2018

Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival
April 25-28
Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA

OCTOBER 2018

Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival
Oct. 5-7
Cape Charles, VA

Photo credit: J Pat Carter/Associated Press