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Left to right: Bald Eagle by Vic Laubach, Short-eared Owl by Allen Larner, Long-billed Dowitcher by Ann Cline, Golden-winged Warbler by Andrew Clem, and Pileated Woodpecker by Larry Litke.


The Augusta Bird Club was founded in 1966 and currently includes about 170 members from Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro, Virginia, as well as nearby areas. It holds meetings on the second Monday of each month (September - April) at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and organizes frequent field trips as well as other events throughout the year. It is also active in a variety of educational and conservation endeavors in the local community. People interested in joining are welcome to attend one of our meetings!

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Upcoming events

The Augusta Bird Club monthly meeting will be held on Monday, October 9, at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Program: History of the Richmond Falcon Cam and thre Rebound of Virginia's Peregrine Falcons.
Speaker: Megan Thomas (via Zoom)


Date Destination / Name of event Meeting Place * Time Coordinator(s)
Saturday, October 28th Boy Scout Camp trail (western Swoope) Food Lion parking lot, 600 N. Coalter St., Staunton 9:00 Andrew Clem
Friday, October 27th DEADLINE for placing bird seed sale orders - - Crista Cabe
Saturday, November 4th PICK-UP DAY for the bird seed sale Augusta County Government Center in Verona 8:30 - noon Crista Cabe

News of recent birding activities

Last news update: 02 Oct 2023

Augusta Bird Club annual bird seed sale:
open for business!!!

Our annual fall bird seed sale is officially open for business! The order deadline is Friday, October 27, and the pickup date is Saturday, November 4, at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona. Every year the proceeds from the sale are used to help local youths attend Nature Camp, as well as providing support for other conservation-related causes in the local area. To learn about our Nature Camp scholarship program, see the Nature Camp page.


Fall migration: peak of activity!

Neotropical migratory birds numbering in the millions are passing through our region, and if you are lucky or diligent enough, you might just catch a glimpse of some of these "feathered jewels"!

2023 Sep 09

Tennessee Warbler, along the Mill Place trail in Verona on September 27.

On September 16, a large contingent of birders led by Lynne Parks scoured the Augusta Springs wetlands, and after a while, hit upon a veritable gold mine of migrating warblers. Highlights of the day other than those shown below included Swainson's Thrush, Wood Thrushes, Eastern Wood Pewee, and Eastern Phoebe.

2023 Sep 09

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: American Redstart (M), Common Yellowthroat, Magnolia Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Black-and-white Warbler, during the ABC field trip to Augusta Springs on September 16.

Blackpoll Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler, along Bell's Lane on September 13, courtesy of Jim Hill.


Hawk Watch Is Underway!

The Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch had a great start to the 2023 fall season on August 15, with 15 raptors total and 5 different species (3 Bald Eagles, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 6 Broad-winged Hawks, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Kestrel, and 1 unidentified)! Although the old Inn at Afton continues to deteriorate, the parking lot and grassy area remain clear and visiting hawk watchers will be welcome as usual. However, we have decided to cancel the annual Open House event due to the site conditions.

(Excerpted from the September "Meadowlark," the ABC newsletter.)


Fall migration is here!

As fall migration season gets underway, the Augusta Bird Club is picking up the pace of field trips to local hot spots. On September 9, eight people went on a hike along the Shenandoah Mountain trail, but the best sighting of the day (a Ruffed Grouse) eluded our cameras, unfortunately.

2023 Sep 09

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Scarlet Tanager (F/J), Pine Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Blue-headed Vireo, along the Shenandoah Mountain trail on September 9.


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Birds of Augusta County:
(PDF)

Birds of Augusta County book cover

Just click on the image above. The 4th edition (2016), edited by Dan Perkuchin, replaces the 3rd (2008) edition Birds of Augusta County, which was edited by YuLee Larner. The 5th edition (2020) will be released soon.


Photos at the top of this page (left to right): Bald Eagle by Vic Laubach, Short-eared Owl by Allen Larner, Long-billed Dowitcher by Ann Cline, Golden-winged Warbler by Andrew Clem, and Pileated Woodpecker by Larry Litke.


Augusta Bird Club © 2023

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