Guided Bird Outing at Van Dyck Park

Next date: Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 08:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Join the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance for a guided bird outing at Van Dyck Park led by Larry Meade, President of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and a former board member of the Virginia Society of Ornithology.

Event Details

Van Dyck Park (3720 Blenheim Blvd) is one of Fairfax City's largest parks and features woodland and streamside habitat that is home to a variety of songbirds, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, waterfowl, and wading birds.

This event is free to attend and open to everyone. It will be slow-paced and accessible to beginner birders. The outing will take place at 8 a.m., Sunday, July 12, beginning on the trail near the Van Dyck Park parking lot and upper pavilion.

Please register in advance on Eventbrite: Bird Outing at Van Dyck Park

What to Bring

While not required, we recommend bringing/preparing the following items:

• Download a birding app such as Merlin or eBird. These apps help with bird identification, allow you to track your sightings, and contribute valuable data to scientific research.
• Sturdy shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Water
• Sunscreen and/or bug repellent

A limited number of loaner binoculars will be available for guests to use during the event. If you have your own binoculars or birding gear, we encourage you to bring them.

Cancellation Policy

Occasionally, we may need to postpone or cancel an outing to protect the well-being of participants or guides. Whenever possible, we will notify you at least 48 hours in advance; however, last-minute changes may be necessary. Outings may be canceled or postponed for reasons such as:

• Unsafe air quality
• Guide illness
• Extreme weather, including: Lightning within 10 miles of the event location, temperatures above 90°, heavy thunderstorms, snow, or hail.

If an outing must be canceled on the day of the event, we will do our best to email all registered participants as soon as possible and/or post the cancellation on our website.

About Northern Virginia Bird Alliance

Northern Virginia Bird Alliance is a local nonprofit with a mission to engage all northern Virginia communities in enjoying, conserving, and restoring nature for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. To learn more, visit the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance website.

When

Location

Free public parking is available at the park (3720 Blenheim Blvd) if you enter the park from Blenheim Blvd. There is only one main parking lot at the park from the entrance.

Additionally, free public parking is available directly adjacent to the park at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center and Fairfax City Police Department, both located at 3740 Blenheim Blvd.

Van Dyck Park, 3720 Blenheim Blvd, 22030, View Map