Exhibit Hall
Saturday, January 21 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Stop by Princess Anne Recreation Center for the 2017 Winter Wildlife Exhibit Hall to check out the vendors and environmental exhibitors, walk-up workshops, live animals and raffles! Children's activities will take place at the neighboring Princess Anne Library. Local food truck, Ferg's Missing Ingredient, will offer delicious eats from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Want to become an exhibitor?
Download an exhibitor application
Children's Activities at Princess Anne Library
Stellaluna and Bat Friends Storytime | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 3-8 | Enjoy moonlit tales of bats winging their way through stories and puppet plays as we celebrate with the Winter Wildlife Festival!
No registration required.
Our Wonderful Birds of Prey | 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Grades K - 8 | Celebrate the amazing birds of prey in our region! Gather facts and make a craft as you learn about hawks, eagles and owls. Meet one of our feathered friends. No registration required
Special thanks to our Festival Partners:
Department of Game & Inland Fisheries | Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge | Lynnhaven River Now | Virginia Aquarium | Virginia Beach Audubon Society Club | Virginia Beach Public Library | Virginia State Parks
Festival Excursions & Sessions
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel & Fisherman’s Island - FULL
This trip is full, but you can join the waitlist. 18 & up | Spend the morning on the man-made islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel looking for wintering water birds and seals. After a stop for lunch at Stingray’s – an Eastern Shore local’s favorite (lunch is not included in price) – we’ll head to Fisherman’s Island National Wildlife Refuge. This Virginia barrier island is classified as “a wetland of international importance,” and due to the critical nature of its habitats for wildlife, it is only accessible during guided tours.
Additional registration form required by Jan 6. Recommended for experienced birders. |
$45, lunch is on your ownMeet at Bayville Farms Park, 4132 First Court Rd., for transportation to locationsFriday, January 20 | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Birding Basics Workshop & Field Session
10 & up | Are you just starting to get into birds? Do you enjoy watching them in your backyard and wish you knew what they were? Then this class is for you! This workshop will introduce you to the pastime of birding and will cover all of the basics: how to identify birds, tips for finding birds, and the materials and equipment you need to get started. There will be an indoor presentation, followed by an outdoor nature walk to practice your new birding skills! A limited supply of binoculars will be available for loan during the class, but if you have your own, it is recommended to bring them. Recommended for new birders. |
$5 for adults; free for youth ages 10-17Meet at Brock Environmental Center, 3663 Marlin Bay DriveFriday, January 20 | 9:00 am – 11:30 am
NEW Explore the Bay Sea Adventure -Trip Cancelled
12 & up | Join the Virginia Aquarium in a special 4 hour encounter to explore the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the man-made islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in search of migrating wildlife. This unique experience may offer eye-level views of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and locally rare seabirds. Aquarium experts will provide in-depth information on species identification and natural history, as well insight on how we care for similar animals at the Aquarium. Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers will not want to miss the diversity that this unique habitat provides during the winter. Marine mammal sightings are not guaranteed. All experience levels welcome. |
$30Meet at Virginia Aquarium Dock, 717 General Booth BoulevardFriday, January 20 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Festival Keynote: “The Narrow Edge – A Tiny Bird, an Ancient Crab and an Epic Journey” with Deborah Cramer
Sponsored by Lynnhaven River NOW, Virginia Beach Audubon Society, the Virginia Beach Hotel Association, and the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association
12 & up | Deborah Cramer’s eloquent book, “The Narrow Edge,” is the recipient of the Rachel Carson Book Award and the National Academy of Sciences Best Book Award. Hear about her extraordinary odyssey accompanying tiny shorebirds along the length of two continents and explore how Virginia is critical to the story.
More about Deborah |
Free; registration requiredMeet at Joint Use Library, intersection of S. Rosemont and Faculty DriveFriday, January 20 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Chesapeake Bay Boat Trip
16 & up | View the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Islands "up close and personal"! This boat trip offers eye-level views of birds, harbor seals and other wildlife on and around the CBBT islands. This is an excellent opportunity to view sea ducks, shorebirds and seabirds. Recommended for experienced birders. |
$40Meet at Dockside Marina, 3311 Shore DriveSaturday, January 21 | 8:00 am – 11:30 am
Cape Henry Tour
8 & up | This trip highlights two destinations in the historic Cape Henry area of Virginia Beach; First Landing State Park and the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse located on Fort Story. These locations offer views of the Chesapeake Bay where shorebirds, wintering seabirds, and waterfowl can be plentiful. In addition to wildlife viewing this trip will include historical information on the first landing of the Virginia Company and the old Cape Henry Lighthouse. Participants 16 & older are required to bring a government-issued picture ID for access to Fort Story. All experience levels welcome. |
$15Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locationsSaturday, January 21 | 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Pleasure House Point Birding
16 & up | This 188-acre site at Lynnhaven Inlet encompasses Maritime forest, beaches, marshes and mudflats and was recently added to the Virginia Birding Trails. These varied habitats support a wide array of birds and wildlife like songbirds, raptors, shorebirds and is home to many breeding diamondback terrapins. At one time this site was targeted for intense development, but a partnership between the City of Virginia Beach, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Trust for Public Land made the preservation of this space possible. Recommended for experienced birders. |
$5Meet at Pleasure House Point Natural Area, 3957 Marlin Bay Drive
(please park along roadway)Saturday, January 21 | 8:30 am – 11:00 am
NEW Waterfowl Walk - FULL
10 & up | Thousands of waterfowl visit the Back Bay every year to rest and feed during the winter migration. This one-mile walk will be led by local expert birders and focus on identification of the various ducks found at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Binoculars and cameras are highly recommended. A spotting scope will be available, but participants may bring their own if desired. |
$5Meet at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 4005 Sandpiper RdSaturday, January 21 | 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Intro to Nature Photography
16 & up | Award winning photographer, G. Michael Brown will inspire you with his superb nature images. Learn the basics of your digital camera and how to apply them in capturing the extraordinary natural subjects that inhabit our area. Basic concepts of image composition and proper lighting will be highlighted using bird, flower, and landscape digital images. All experience levels welcome. |
$5This classroom session meets at Princess Anne Recreation CenterSaturday, January 21 | 10:30 am – 11:30 am
NEW Fisherman’s Island: A Wildlife, Nature, and History Walk -
FULL
This trip is full, but you can join the waitlist.
10 & up | Fisherman’s Island has been a marine hospital (1890), an artillery site (1942), part of Back Bay (1973) and the Eastern Shore of Virginia (1984). Additionally, it is critical habitat for royal terns and brown pelicans. Join us as we walk along sandy trails thru maritime forest, swales, secondary dunes, and beach areas. Migratory birds and a variety of flora and fauna are also part of this walk. Don’t miss out on the spectacular views this location offers of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel! |
$15Meet at Bayville Farms Park, 4132 First Court Rd., for transportation to locationsSaturday, January 21 | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Back Bay/False Cape Terra-gator and Tram Tour -
FULL
All ages | Take a scenic tram ride through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park to the site of the historic Wash Woods community in what is now False Cape State Park. Hike the 1-mile round-trip trail to the historical site, where a church steeple and cemetery remain. Ride back along the remote beach observing shorebirds and perhaps whales while riding in our unique beach transporter, the Terra-Gator. All experience levels welcome. |
$15Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locationSaturday, January 21 | 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Urban Birding Tour
12 & up | Did you know that there are many “birdie” places right in the heart of the city? This trip will take you to some of Virginia Beach’s prime urban bird spots where a surprising variety of birds can be seen. Some of the sites are so easy to bird, we may not have to leave the bus! This trip focuses on acquainting you with various places to go birding in Virginia Beach. Recommended for new or casual birders, but all experience levels welcome.
A limited supply of binoculars will be available for loan during the class, but please bring your own if you have them. |
$15Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locationsSaturday, January 21 | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
NEW Macro Photography
16 & up | Most of today's digital cameras offer settings that allow photographers to create close-up photographs. Professional photographer G. Michael Brown will explore the often unseen in nature’s world through Macro or close up Photography. He’ll share tips and techniques of how to capture the patterns, textures, and drama of insects, plants, and other subjects. The importance of composition will also be discussed. |
$5This classroom session meets at Princess Anne Recreation CenterSaturday, January 21 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Whales & Wildlife Sea Adventure
All ages | Join the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, the longest running and most experienced whale watching entity in Virginia, in an immersive encounter with some of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures. Specialized educators will share a program built upon the Aquarium’s scientific research and almost three decades of experience connecting guests with the area’s marine mammal visitors. Trips take place on a spacious and stable catamaran that boasts one of the most comfortable rides in Virginia Beach, and has been outfitted especially for conducting dolphin & whale watching trips. Experience spectacular views from the outdoor covered seating areas, or from cushioned seats inside a heated cabin. This ~2.5 hour adventure is an exploration in search of whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Marine mammal sightings are not guaranteed. All experience levels welcome. |
$23 for ages 12 & up; $18 for ages 3-11; free for children under age 3Meet at the Virginia Aquarium Dock, 717 General Booth Blvd.Saturday, January 21 | 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
First Landing Nature Walk
5 & up | Experience firsthand the amazing habitats that exist within First Landing State Park. Discover what makes the park’s environment so unique that it has been made a national natural area. The 2 mile hike will take participants across swamp overlooks and through maritime forest in search of wildlife and natural phenomena found within the park. All experience levels welcome. |
$5Meet at the First Landing State Park Trail Center, 2500 Shore DriveSaturday, January 21 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Owl Prowls
10 & up | Choose from two locations! Explore the night time woods of West Neck Natural Area or Great Neck Park 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. All experience levels welcome. |
$10Meet at West Neck Natural Area or Great Neck ParkSaturday, January 21 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
NEW Owls and S’mores
5 & up | Enjoy this traditional nighttime outdoor activity. Listen and look for nocturnal animals of First Landing State Park, especially the park’s owl inhabitants. Then join park rangers around the campfire for special activities and of course a S’more! |
$10Meet at First Landing State Park (2500 Shore Drive) at the large Chesapeake Bay Center sign in front of the main office buildingSaturday, January 21 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
12 & up | The man-made islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel 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. All experience levels welcome.
Additional registration form required by Jan 6. |
$15Meet at Bayville Farms Park, 4132 First Court Rd., for transportation to locationSunday, January 22 | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mackay Island Birding - FULL
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. Refuge volunteers will provide a guided tour of the main refuge. Recommended for experienced birders. |
$15Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locationSunday, January 22 | 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area Birding
12 & up | This trip will visit the Beasly Tract of Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area, a patchwork of marshes, weedy fields, narrow freshwater impoundments, and pine woodland. Likely bird sightings include raptors, sparrows, wintering songbirds, and other grassland/ shrubland birds. Snow geese and tundra swans are likely fly overs. (Please note: Due to on-going installation of a new pumping system at this site, the freshwater impoundments may be dry, so the high numbers of waterfowl and wading birds usually seen during the winter season will most likely not be present this year.) Comfortable waterproof shoes or rubber boots are recommended as trails may be wet. Recommended for experienced birders. |
$15Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locationSunday, January 22 | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Back Bay/False Cape Birding
12 & up | Take a scenic ride through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the “Blue Goose Express” observing wintering snow geese, swans and other wildlife. Journey to the heart of False Cape State Park for a chance to further observe and photograph the abundant wintering waterfowl. Scopes and cameras are allowed and encouraged. Recommended for experienced birders.
Due to refuge policy, no stops will be made while traveling through Back Bay. |
$15Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locationSunday, January 22 | 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Seal Spotting Sea Adventure
All ages | Seals are frequent visitors to this area when the water temperatures drop, although their favorite haul-out spots can make them difficult to see. During this trip, catch eye-level observations while educators from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center provide information about the species that frequent our waters. Possible sightings include harbor seals, gray seals, harp seals, and hooded seals. Learn about the most recent research conducted by the Virginia Aquarium’s Stranding Response Team, and how we care for similar animals at the Aquarium. The 65-foot Atlantic Explorer provides spectacular views from the outdoor, covered seating areas as well as from the interior heated cabin. Marine mammal sightings are not guaranteed. All experience levels welcome. |
$23 for ages 12 & up; $18 for ages 3-11; free for children under age 3Meet at the Virginia Aquarium Dock, 717 General Booth Blvd.Sunday, January 22 | 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Walk-Up Workshops at Princess Anne Recreation Center
All workshops are free and take place at Princess Anne Recreation Center. Pre-registration is preferred.
Peregrine Falcons
10 & up | Join Reese Lukei, a volunteer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1974 and a licensed bird bander, as he discusses the description, behavior, nest sites, history, distribution, recovery and current status of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in Virginia with a focus on the Tidewater and Eastern regions of Virginia.