Sunday Schedule: Excursions & Workshops
Chesapeake Bay Birding Boat Trip - FULL
Sunday, January 26 • 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Location: Dockside Marina (3311 Shore Drive)
Ages 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. Meets at Dockside Marina (3311 Shore Drive). Recommended for experienced birders. All experience levels welcome. Please wear (and bring extra) warm layers, a hat, gloves or mittens, and a wind- or waterproof outer layer. • $40 • Register Online Here
Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area Birding - FULL
Sunday, January 26 • 8 a.m. - noon | Location: Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
Ages 12 & up • This trip will visit the Beasley and Whitehurst Tracts of Princess Anne WMA. The WMA is a patchwork of marshes, weedy fields, narrow freshwater impoundments and pine woodland. This area is known for plentiful winter waterfowl, including impressive numbers of snow geese. Raptors, wintering songbirds, and wading birds can also be found in the varied habitats here. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to the location. Recommended for experienced birders. **Please note that some of the trails may be wet this time of year; comfortable waterproof shoes or rubber boots are required.** • $15
Back Bay/False Cape Birding
Sunday, January 26 • 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Location: Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
Ages 12 & up • Take a scenic ride through Back Bay NWR 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. Due to refuge policy, no stops will be made while traveling through Back Bay NWR. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to Back Bay/False Cape. Recommended for experienced birders. • $15 • Register Online Here
NEW Exploring Virginia’s Seaside Lagoon System - FULL
Sunday, January 26 • 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Location: Bayville Farms Park (4132 First Court Rd.)
Ages 16 & up • This boat trip begins in Oyster Harbor at high tide and meanders along salt marshes looking for seabirds, raptors, seals and other interesting wildlife as we make our way toward the barrier islands. If weather conditions allow, we will disembark on Wreck Island, a remote barrier island owned and managed by the VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program. There we may encounter flocks of dunlin, American oystercatchers and other shorebirds. As the tide continues to drop, we will check out exposed mudflats on our way back to Oyster Harbor and look for additional species of shorebirds and other avifauna. Please keep in mind, this trip is weather dependent and may be cancelled if conditions are deemed too dangerous. The decision to go or cancel will be made by 5 pm the night before. Keep in mind temperatures and wind chills are much colder on the water than on land. Please wear (and bring extra) warm layers and bring a hat, gloves or mittens, a wind- or waterproof outer layer, and waterproof knee or hip boots for getting in and out of the boat. You are also strongly encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses. Bring your favorite binoculars, spotting scopes are optional. Trip leaders will bring light snacks and water and several spotting scopes. • $55
*Meet at Bayville Farms Park (4132 First Court Road)
NEW Backyard Nature Photography
Sunday, January 26 • 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Location: Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
Ages 16 & up • Sometimes the best place to photograph nature is right in our own backyard. This program is information-packed with tips and experiences on how to photograph and attract nature to almost any backyard, rural or suburban. Discusses suggestions and inventive techniques of how to observe and photograph them. Includes visual proof of the variety of wildlife from birds to butterflies, insects and mammals that can benefit from a little habitat improvement. This educational program is composed of colorful award-winning photography and the occasional HD video clip, to make this a true multimedia presentation. • $5 • Register Online Here
NEW Birds in Action Photography
Sunday, January 26 • 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Location: Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
Ages 16 & up • Moving objects are an especially difficult subject to capture, both technically and physically. This multimedia program demonstrates and discusses an array of bird activities including flight, take-off, landing, feeding, bathing, drinking, preening, diving, nesting, and more. Plus, discussion of the reasons why birds are so active, the elements of their motivation and characteristics of activity including migration, food gathering, and avoidance of danger. Includes both basic photography techniques and then fine-tuning the skills needed to capture sharp images of active animals. Learn how to improve your action photography abilities, both technically and physically, by optimizing your location, learning good motor-skill practices, using auto-focus, research, and proper shutter speed settings. This is one of the most challenging, but also most rewarding, of nature photography endeavors. • $5
NEW Virginia Beach Notable Trees Field Trip - FULL
Sunday, January 26 • 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Location: Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
Ages 12 & up • Join Lynnhaven River Now’s Captain Brent James in visiting some of Virginia Beach’s Notable Trees! While seeing these trees up close you will learn the history of the property on which they reside, their approximate ages, as well as their sizes relative to the state and national champion trees of that species. Meet at Princess Anne Recreation Center for transportation to locations. All experience levels welcome. It is recommended that you wear sturdy, waterproof footwear. • $15
NEW Nature Art Class
Sunday, January 26 • 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Location: Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
Ages 16 & up • Bring the outdoors in with this creative twist on a painting class! Guided by a talented artist, you’ll create a nature-inspired mixed-media masterpiece to take home. All supplies provided. • $20 • Register Online Here
NEW Nature Art for Kids
Sunday, January 26 • 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Location: Princess Anne Library (1444 Nimmo Parkway)
Ages 5-10 • Unleash your child’s inner Picasso! During this workshop participants will be guided through nature-inspired crafts that they will take home. All supplies provided. • $10 • Register Online Here
North Landing River Boat Tour - FULL
Sunday, January 26 • 10 a.m. - noon & 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Location: Pungo Ferry Boat Launch (2272 Old Pungo Ferry Road)
Ages 10 & up • Join Moore to See Expeditions for an in-depth eco-tour of the marshlands that surround the North Landing River. These areas provide critical habitat for many species of wintering waterfowl including snow geese, tundra swans and variety of ducks. This trip will provide many unique opportunities for taking nature photos. All experience levels welcome. Please wear (and bring extra) warm layers, a hat, gloves or mittens, a wind- or waterproof outer layer, and waterproof shoes or boots for getting in and out of the boat. • $35
Whales & Wildlife Sea Adventure
Sunday, January 26 • 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Location: Virginia Aquarium Dock (717 General Booth Blvd.)
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. Experience spectacular views from the outdoor covered seating areas, or from cushioned seats inside a heated cabin. This adventure is an exploration in search of whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Marine mammal sightings are not guaranteed. Meets at Virginia Aquarium Dock (717 General Booth Blvd.) All experience levels welcome. • $23 for adults; $18 for ages 3-11 (under 3 are free but still require a ticket). • Register Online Here
K-5 Teacher Workshop - CANCELLED
Sunday, January 26 • 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Location: Princess Anne Recreation Center (1400 Nimmo Parkway)
Looking at Plant and Animal Interactions through new Project Learning Tree Units 18 & up - This workshop will highlight the new on-line Project Learning Tree units "Treemendous Science" (K-2) and "Energy in Ecosystems" (3-5). Following with same award-winning hands-on format, these units highlight interactions between plants and animals. During the workshop, you will participate in activities from both of the units and receive the materials necessary to conduct those activities at your school. The cost of the workshop will cover only these materials, not the cost of the curriculum. Both units are available for purchase from the PLT store after the workshop. Bring your laptop and join in the fun. • $10
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