Celebrate the magic of ‘firefly season’ with an evening firefly walk at Cool Spring Preserve with Ariel Firebaugh, Director of Scientific Engagement at Blandy Experimental Farm, a UVA research facility and arboretum located near Winchester, VA. Stroll along the trails of the preserve and learn why fireflies flash, what they eat, and other fun facts Read the Full Story >>
Potomac Valley Audubon Society
Learn All About Fungi In Your Backyard — May 12
In this online event, Dr. Laura Robertson of Shepherd University will introduce five of the many fungi that you might find in your backyard. Read the Full Story >>
Wildflower Walk At Ferry Hill — May 1
Join volunteer naturalists for a walk on the trails of Ferry Hill Ridge Trail (across the river from Shepherdstown) and the nearby C&O Canal. This walk is scheduled to coincide with the later spring wildflower season. Read the Full Story >>
2021 PVAS Race For The Birds
For 2021, Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s annual event has both online and in-person options. The virtual options include a 5K, 10K, and Kids 1 mile Fun event. Virtual participants can choose between running, walking, biking, horseback riding or another way to complete the distances. Virtual participants will email their results and will then be entered Read the Full Story >>
Family Hike At Cool Spring
Bring your family for an evening guided hike at Cool Spring Preserve and learn about these wondrous amphibians and listen for their unique symphony! Read the Full Story >>
March 21 — Virtual Walk In The Woods Fundraiser with PVAS
Enjoy a virtual visit to local nature preserves from the comfort of your home and help Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) celebrate on the eve of the Spring Equinox with a virtual “Walk in the Woods with Wine.” Read the Full Story >>
Outdoor Fun Around the Eastern Panhandle
Here in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, we are blessed with an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. When The Observer asked, we jumped at the chance to spotlight a few of our favorite activities for the fall. Read the Full Story >>
Butterfly Weed — Outstanding In Our Field
We were talking and my wife suddenly stood with her mouth open, staring out into our distant hayfield. “That looks like orange butterfly weed!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. Read the Full Story >>
Tracing the Travels of Saw-Whet Owls
The caravan of cars reached the top of South Mountain. A couple-dozen riders emerged into the night, bundled into parkas and wearing winter coats. As we inhaled crisp November air, our ears were blasted with a continuous amplified recording that sounded like a big truck backing up. Read the Full Story >>
Audubon Remains America’s Premier Bird Artist
John James Audubon was a French immigrant who adopted nineteenth-century America as his home. Early on, he resolved to roam the country hunting and drawing birds. “Audubon” has become synonymous with birds and conservation, but few today appreciate his indefatigable genius. Read the Full Story >>
Grassland Nesting Birds are Disappearing
Eastern meadowlarks used to be common birds in local hayfields. Now they’re on a growing list of field-nesting birds—bobwhite quail, vesper sparrow, American kestrel, and red-winged blackbird—whose numbers have seriously dropped. Now you can drive though the countryside and never see any of them. Read the Full Story >>
Celebrate Spring at PVAS’ Annual This Race Is for the Birds!
For 17 years, This Race Is for the Birds! has served as an important fundraiser to support PVAS in its mission to preserve, restore, and enjoy the natural world through education and action. All proceeds support PVAS’s projects, programs, and preserves. Read the Full Story >>
A Winter Bird Walk at the National Fish Health Laboratory
I recently toured the grounds of the National Fish Heath Laboratory, a beautiful facility in Leetown (WV). There are numerous freshwater ponds, a natural wetland, and a woodland trail. The Fish Health Lab belongs to the U.S. Geological Survey. Grounds are closed to the public except by appointment, and visitors must be accompanied by a member of USGS staff. My host was staff member Heather Walsh. I came to familiarize myself with the place so I could help lead a winter bird walk there later this month with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS). Heather has been leading nature activities with various organizations for the past year—part of an educational outreach program to the public. Read the Full Story >>
The Right Place to Roost
Chimney swifts have something special that other songbirds don’t: they roost in large numbers—a thousand or more at a time if they can find the right place. And Shepherdstown has the right place; or at least it has for a long time. In fact, Shepherdstown currently hosts the largest chimney swift roost in West Virginia. Read the Full Story >>