Winter Wildlife Festival

Online Registration: In order to participate in workshops and excursions, you must first register for the Winter Wildlife Festival main registration (#105488). Once registered, you can sign up for the sessions listed below. A recreation center membership is not required, but you do need a family barcode and PIN to use online registration. An account can be created by visiting any recreation center.

In Person Registration: Bring your completed registration form and applicable payment to any Virginia Beach Recreation Center front desk.

Mail-In Registration: Completed registration form and applicable payment must be received by January 20, 2012. Mail to: Winter Wildlife Festival, 300 Edwin Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Age 18 & up | New this year, we’ve combined our most popular trips into a day-long excursion for adults only. We’ll spend the morning on the man-made islands of the CBBT looking for wintering birds and seals. For the afternoon, we’ll travel to the southernmost area of the city to explore Back Bay and False Cape by tram and the infamous Terra Gator. Includes lunch at a local restaurant; once registered, we’ll contact you with choices. Additional registration form required by Jan 13. Meet at Bayville Farms Park (4132 First Court Road) for transportation to locations. | $31 (includes lunch)
Friday, January 27 | 8 am-5 pm | #105490 FULL

All Ages | Brought to you free of charge by the Back Bay Restoration Foundation, this fascinating documentary by Sony Pictures follows the migratory patterns of birds on all seven continents over the course of three years. Come view the amazing, breathtaking footage of this Academy Award nominated film on the big screen. Rated G. 85 mins.

Age 12 & up | The man-made islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel that support the bridge provide rest stops for migrating and wintering birds. The islands can offer unusual or locally rare sightings. Northern gannet, brant, king eider, harlequin duck, little gull, great cormorant, purple sandpiper and rarities such as black-tailed gull make this one of the best winter birding sites in Virginia. The presence of the occasional harbor seals and wintering whales adds to the appeal of this unique site. Additional registration form required by Jan 13. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to CBBT. | $10
Saturday, January 28 | 8 am-12:30 pm | #105491 FULL
Sunday, January 29 | 8 am -12:30 pm | #105492 FULL

Age 12 & up | This location offers views of the Chesapeake Bay where wintering seabirds and waterfowl can be plentiful. The extensive shoreline also offers the opportunity to view shorebirds. Meets at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to First Landing. | Free
Saturday, January 28 | 8:30-11:30 am | #105493

Age 10 & up | Learn the basics of bird identification in the aviary at the Virginia Aquarium. Let your instructor share tips and tricks in becoming a better wildlife viewer as you have the opportunity to see 55 species of birds native to Virginia. Meet at Virginia Aquarium’s Marsh Pavilion (801 General Booth Blvd.) | Free
Saturday, January 28 | 9-10:30 am | #105494
Sunday, January 29 | 9-10:30 am | #105495

Age 16 & up | Learn the basics of winter tree identification from Master Gardeners Ed & Linda Bradley. Tour one of our area’s hidden urban treasures, the Chesapeake Arboretum, as they bring the basic principles of urban forestry to life. Please come prepared to walk throughout 2 miles of this outdoor classroom. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to site. | Free
Saturday, January 28 | 8:30-11:30 am | #105496

Age 16 & up* | Excess nutrient run off is a serious water quality problem. It leads to algae, which clouds the water and eventually leads to decreased levels of oxygen and possible toxins from algal blooms. A rain barrel is one way to reduce the amount of run off entering rivers through the storm water system. Rain barrels also provide homeowners with free non-chlorinated water to provide healthy irrigation to house plants and gardens. Attendees will leave with a completed rain barrel and simple installation instructions.  *Price is per barrel; couples and families welcome. | $65 per barrel
Saturday, January 28 | 10 am-12 pm | #105497

All ages | Ride along the remote beach observing shorebirds and perhaps whales while riding in our unique beach transporter, the Terra Gator. You’ll also take a scenic ride through False Cape & Back Bay on the “Blue Goose Express” observing wintering snow geese, swans and other wildlife. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to the park. | $10
Saturday, January 28 | 12:30-4:30 pm | #105498 FULL
Sunday, January 29 | 8:30 am-12:30 pm | #105499 FULL

Age 12 & up | You don’t have to go to a wildlife refuge or state park to see birds in Virginia Beach. There are many “birdie” places that are right in the heart of the city where you are able to see a surprising variety of birds. This trip will take you to a few of those places; some of them so easy to bird, we may not have to leave the bus! Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locations. | Free
Saturday, January 28 | 1-4 pm | #105500

Age 16 & up | Learn basic tips and techniques on how to improve your photography skills and produce more artistic results. Wildlife Photographer, G. Michael Brown, will lead a classroom session at Princess Anne Recreation Center followed by a short field trip to gain some hands on experience. Participants should bring a camera. Transportation provided to field trip location. | Free
Saturday, January 28 | 1-3:30 pm | #105501 FULL

Age 10 & up | Where is the best place to sleep if you are a duck? What do night herons actually do at night? Where do turkey vultures roost? Come find the answers to these questions and many more at the Twilight Tour of Owls Creek Salt Marsh Aviary at the Virginia Aquarium. Meet at Virginia Aquarium's Marsh Pavilion | Free
Saturday, January 28 | 6-7 pm | #105502 FULL

Age 10 & up | Explore the night time woods of First Landing State Park and West Neck Natural Area looking and listening for their nocturnal hunters. Great horned, barred and screech owls and other creatures of the night are all possibilities for these trips. Meet at location. | Free
Saturday, January 28 | 6-7:30 pm | First Landing State Park | #105503 FULL
Saturday, January 28 | 6-7:30 pm | West Neck Natural Area | #105504 FULL

Age 12 & up | Located in North Carolina, just one mile past the Virginia border, this National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of habitats including freshwater and brackish marshes to upland and lowland eastern pine hardwood forests. Its location on the edge of Back Bay and the Currituck Sound make this peninsula a fascinating place to view winter wildlife including large numbers of snow geese. The Friends of Mackay Island will provide a guided tour of the main refuge. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to refuge. | Free
Sunday, January 29| 8 am-12:30 pm | #105505 FULL

Age 12 & up | The Whitehurst Tract is a patchwork of marshes, weedy and cultivated fields, narrow freshwater impoundments and pine woodland. This area is known for plentiful winter waterfowl, including impressive numbers of snow geese. Raptors and wintering songbirds can also be found in the varied habitats here. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to Whitehurst Tract. | Free
Sunday, January 29 | 8:30-11 am | #105506

Age 12 & up | The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles throughout the state of Virginia. Winter in Virginia often brings whales, seals and even dolphins to our Atlantic coastal and Chesapeake Bay waters. Explore our marine winter visitors and the Stranding Team's work to study and conserve these species. | Free

Age 12 & up | Virginia is home to many breeding and migrating species of raptors, including hawks, eagles, falcons and owls. Join DGIF biologist, Steve Living, as he discusses the life histories of these amazing hunters of the sky. Concludes with a short live bird presentation by Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation. | Free

   Presented by Lynnhaven River NOW & Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
Celebrate birds with Flying WILD, a conservation education guide featuring interdisciplinary hands-on classroom activities along with information for engaging students in a school-wide bird festival. Key concepts include migration, adaptation, the importance of habitat, and bird conservation efforts. Designed originally for middle school teachers and students, the guide contains activities suitable for all grade levels. All participants will receive a copy of the Flying WILD Activity Guide and supplementary materials on Virginia birds. Limited seats are available and separate registration is required at the link below. For more information, please call 757.962.5398. | Free
Thursday, January 26 | 6-9 pm | Princess Anne Recreation Center | Register