Sign up for our year-round Nature Classes and Outings!

These programs offer nature novices and experienced naturalists alike an array of opportunities to explore and learn about our area’s natural history. Our experienced naturalists lead small group classes and trips to parks and wild spaces throughout the DC-metro region — and beyond. Lectures are held at our Woodend Sanctuary. Field trips are reached by private vehicle or carpool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Map of Field Trip Destinations

Link to DC Audubon Society’s map of Wheelchair Accessible and Metro-accessible birding spots

Link to Maryland Ornithological Society’s “Best Birding Sites in Maryland and DC”

Want to see what programs you are registered for? Log into your online account here.

Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.

Registration for late March and April field trips will open on 3/5.

Covid-19 Update – Walks and Field Trips

As long as area jurisdictions remain in at least Phase II of Covid-19 precautions, we are planning to offer in-person field trips to natural areas throughout the DMV. Should there be any changes to these plans, we will notify trip participants and all ANS members through e-mails and/or social media.
* Both leaders and participants are required to wear face masks and observe social distancing throughout the field trip.
* Both leaders and participants are required to complete a health questionnaire before participating in the field trip.
* Maximum number of participants for the field trips will range from 5-8, depending on field trip location, trip focus, and leaders’ preferences.
* Our schedule of field outings will be updated every four-six weeks to add new listings farther out. This “rolling schedule” will help us respond to any changes in the Covid situation which may arise.

Did you know that we are offering a number of great Naturalist Hour Zoom presentations? Visit www.anshome.org/naturalist-hour for an overview of dates and topics being offered—as well as to register for these online nature learning opportunities.

MARCH

Woodcock Watch
A: Saturday, March 6 (5:15-7:30 pm) WAITLIST OPEN
B: Sunday, March 7 (5:15-7:30 pm) WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $30; nonmembers $42
In his Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold described the mating display of the American Woodcock as a “sky dance.” Announcing its presence with nasal “peents”, the male woodcock ascends high in the sky at dusk. To the accompaniment of his whistling wings, the bird circles, then plummets back to earth in a zigzag pattern, his voice issuing a liquid warble.  On this field program to a natural area in upper Montgomery County, we’ll hope to be lucky enough to catch a performance of this seasonal drama. Only one session per person, please. REGISTER

Winter Birding at Black Hill 
Section C: Saturday, March 6 (8:30-11 am) WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Mark England
Each walk: members $30; nonmembers $42
The winter months can be an ideal time to learn more about birds and birding, and Black Hill Regional Park in upper Montgomery Count is an ideal outdoor classroom. Each walk, intended for beginning to mid-level birders, will explore several sites in the Park in a search for waterfowl, sparrows, woodpeckers, raptors, and other both resident and overwintering species. The Park’s habitats are varied, and include wetlands and Little Seneca Lake, as well as forest and field. We will offer the final walk in this series in March so that participants can observe the seasonal changes in bird numbers, diversity, and behavior during the winter months. Our explorations will be on fairly level natural surface trails which may be uneven, muddy, and/or slippery. Participants will need to bring their own binoculars, and you are welcome to bring along a spotting scope as well. Due to Covid precautions there will be no sharing of equipment such as spotting scopes by either the leader or participants. REGISTER

Winter in the Parks
D: Sunday, March 7: Sugarloaf Mountain, MD (10 am-1 pm) WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $30; nonmembers $42
These broad-based nature explorations are an invitation to stuff your pockets full of heat-producing calories and head out to visit some of our region’s wealth of parks and preserves.  Winter is often called the quiet season, but there is still lots to look at and listen for in the natural world despite the cold temperatures. Our Senior Naturalist will lead this series of walks to observe winter wildlife and plants, all the while discussing their strategies for winter survival. To counter the cold temperatures, we’ll work to cover up to a couple of miles on natural surface trails which could be uneven, rocky, muddy, and/or slippery. Expect uphill and downhill walking on trips D and F. REGISTER

Vanishing Vernal Pools WAITLIST OPEN
Sunday, March 7 (4-6:30 pm)
Leader: Cliff Fairweather
Members $30; nonmembers $42
As hours of daylight lengthen and temperatures begin to rise, animals that have spent the winter in hibernation begin to stir. Among the earliest to be active are certain frogs and salamanders that use vernal or temporary pools for breeding. Unfortunately, the pools – and their breeders – are facing many threats. Our outdoor program includes an introduction to vernal pool ecology, followed by a walking visit to vernal pool habitats in the Rock Creek bottomlands near our Woodend Sanctuary. REGISTER

Late Winter Tree Walk on TRI WAITLIST OPEN
Wednesday, March 10 (9:30 am-12:30 pm)
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Members $30; nonmembers $42
Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of the award-winning new book, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island, for a late winter tree walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, a 90-acre island in the Potomac that serves as a fitting memorial to our conservationist and naturalist 26th president—and Audubon Naturalist Society member! We’ll witness and study the winter magnificence of the island’s trees and soak up the wide open vistas across the Potomac River before the trees leaf out. Of course, we’ll keep our eyes open for wood ducks, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, early-returned ospreys and bald eagles. Melanie will share details of the island’s fascinating history during the walking exploration of this picturesque urban oasis. REGISTER

Winter Walks Along the Canal 
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm) 
I: March 10 – Pennyfield Lock WAITLIST OPEN
J: March 17 – Pennyfield Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk members $30; nonmembers $42
Join our Senior Naturalist for these last two leisurely walks in our Winter Canal Walk series. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, practice winter botany skills, and enjoy the expansive views along the Potomac River which this season provides. NOTE: Spaces are limited so thanks for registering for only one of these walks. REGISTER

Walking the Winter Woods and Wetlands at Governor’s Bridge WAITLIST OPEN
Saturday, March 13 (9 am-Noon)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $30; nonmembers $42
Winter is often called the quiet season, but there is still lots to look and listen for in the natural world, especially as hours of daylight grow with spring’s approach. Our Senior Naturalist leads this walk to observe overwintering (and early spring!) wildlife activity plus plant life at Governor’s Bridge Natural Area near Bowie, MD. We’ll meander on natural surface trails for up to several miles through meadow, woodland, and wetland habitats of this protected area adjacent to the Patuxent River. REGISTER

Knock, Knock WAITLIST OPEN
Saturday, March 13 (9 am-12 pm)
Leaders: Pam and Chris Oves
Members $30; nonmembers $42
On this approximately 4-mile roundtrip bird walk along the Canal’s Towpath from Riley’s Lock, we’ll focus on the 7 species of woodpeckers that frequent our woods this time of year.  We’ll also look and listen for any and all birds we may spy along the way. Our walk is aimed at beginning birders. Note: this walk will go faster and farther than our usual naturalist’s shuffle. REGISTER

Late Winter Waterfowl Prowl WAITLIST OPEN
Sunday, March 14 (8:30-11 am)
Leader: Len Bisson
Members $30; nonmembers $42
With winter winding down—and most of the wintering ducks, geese, and other swimming birds preparing to head north to breeding grounds—we’ll offer one more outing to area waterways to enjoy these sometimes showy, sometimes subtle waterfowl. Our exact location(s) will be determined closer to the date of the field trip, based our leader’s scouting expeditions to determine if waterbodies are open/frozen and/or easily accessible. The site(s) will stick relatively close to the metro area. All birding levels welcome. REGISTER

March Madness at Widewater WAITLIST OPEN
Friday, March 19 (9:30 am-1 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $30; nonmembers $42
With the official start of spring at hand, we’ll return to a favorite stretch along the Potomac River where nature observers can observe the tug-of-war between lingering winter and imminent spring—what our Senior Naturalist calls March Madness! She’ll lead you on a 4-mile loop hike: along the C&O Canal towpath from the Widewater area upriver to Great Falls—and back. Along the way, there will be plants and animals to watch and listen for in this protected area’s rocky woods, sycamore bottomlands, and flowing River waters. NOTE: This hike will move faster and farther than our usual naturalist shuffle. REGISTER

Beginning Birding Walk WAITLIST OPEN
Saturday, March 20 (8:30-11 am)
Leader: Mark England
Members $30; nonmembers $42
If you’re curious about birds and bird watching but don’t know where to begin, this “how to get started” outing is for you. No experience is required! The goal of our field morning, which visits Black Hill and Little Bennett Regional Parks in upper Montgomery County, is to develop the ability to find, study, and identify birds in their natural environment. Birding tools such as field guides, binoculars, and other resources will also be discussed. REGISTER

Spring in the Parks
8:30-11:30 am
A: Sunday, March 21 – Jug Bay Natural Area, MD
B. Friday, April 2 – Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, VA
C. Saturday, April 17 – Rachel Carson Conservation Park, MD
D. Sunday, April 25 – National Arboretum, DC
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Join our Senior Naturalist for these broad-based nature hikes in four of this region’s protected areas.  On each outing, we’ll experience the dramatic seasonal changes in the natural world ignited by spring’s longer hours of daylight and warming temperatures. We’ll search for showy wildflowers, the unfolding leaves of trees and shrubs, and all manner of spring wildlife activity. Be prepared to walk between 1- 2.5 miles on natural surface trails which may be rocky, uneven, and/or possibly muddy/slippery. Hikes B and C include uphill/downhill, with the steepest walking on B. Registration will open on Friday, March 5.

Spring Saunters Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section A: March 24 – Carderock
Section B: March 31 – Carderock
Section C: April 7 – Widewater
Section D: April 14 – Widewater
Section E: April 21 – Violettes Lock
Section F: April 28 – Violettes Lock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk members $30; nonmembers $42
Enjoy these leisurely walks on the Towpath along close-in portions of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The focus of our walks, starting from different locations, will be general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and Canal. We’ll proceed at a slow “naturalist’s shuffle,” as we experience the glorious unfolding of spring. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, snakes, turtles, and whatever else we might find.  NOTE: Spaces are limited, so thanks for not registering for more than one walk per destination. Registration will open on Friday, March 5.

Early Spring Wildflower Hike
Friday, March 26 (10 am-1 pm)
Leader: Sujata Roy
Members $30; nonmembers $42
Beat the winter blues by joining this search for the earliest spring wildflowers in the woods and bottomlands along the Potomac River near Carderock Recreation Area, just outside the Beltway. We’ll look for the greening leaves, swelling buds, and (fingers crossed) unfolding flowers of species such as Harbinger of Spring, Early Saxifrage, Spring Beauty, and Bloodroot. NOTE: our roughly 1.5 mile hike will include uneven, rocky, and likely muddy stretches on natural surface trails. Registration will open on Friday, March 5.

Spring Early Birds (7-10 am)
A: Saturday, March 27 – Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Paul Pisano)
B: Saturday, April 3 – Dyke Marsh, VA (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton)
C: Thursday, April 8 – Huntley Meadows, VA (Mike Bowen and Anne Cianni)
D: Sunday, April 11 – Patuxent Research Refuge/Headquarters Tract, MD (Len Bisson)
E: Sunday, April 18 – Lois Green Conservation Park, MD (Mark England)
F: Wednesday, April 21 – Wootton’s Mill Park, MD (Mike Bowen and Anne Cianni)
G: Saturday, April 24 – Hughes Hollow, MD (Cathy Stragar)
H: Thursday, April 29 – National Arboretum, DC (Paul Pisano)
Each walk members $30; nonmembers $42
Immerse yourself in the phenomenon of spring migration with this series of short bird walks at nearby parks. These walks are designed for beginning and intermediate birders for whom the spring pulse of bird activity can sometimes be overwhelming. On each walk, we’ll search for both resident and migrant birds by song and sound. We’ll discuss the arrival sequence of these spring travelers, practice finding them in the field, and attempt to learn the songs of many species. Our trips include walking on natural surface trails and/or boardwalks which may be muddy, uneven, and/or slippery. Trips E, F and H include some mild uphill/downhill.  Trip H will run from 8-11 am.  Participants will provide their own binoculars. Due to Covid precautions, there will be no sharing of spotting scopes on these trips. Registration will open on Friday, March 5.

Sleepy Moon Walk
Saturday, March 27 (6-8 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $30; nonmembers $42
Hope for clear skies in order to enjoy a brisk walk under the light of March’s full moon–often called the Sleepy Moon. Walking along the C&O Canal from Swain’s Lock, we’ll listen for night-active wildlife and enjoy the shadows of tree skeletons along the way. Registration will open on Friday, March 5.

Searching for Spring at Watkins Regional Park
Sunday, March 28 (9 am-Noon)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members: $30; nonmembers $42
Although no excuse is needed, we’ll head outside this morning to welcome the arrival of spring at Watkins Regional Park near Largo, MD. Fingers crossed that we’ll spot our first butterfly or two of the season on our mile or more meander. We’ll listen for spring birdsong as well as the voices of amphibian activity.  Early blooming wildflowers and trees will most certainly add fresh color to the woodland and wetland habitats we will explore. Registration will open on Friday, March 5.

Warbler Warm-up
Wednesday, March 31 (6:30-8:30 pm) 
Leader: Mike Bowen
Members $20; nonmembers $28
We think it’s never too early to start brushing up on the voices and field marks of the soon-to-be arriving warblers. Even for the most seasoned birders, finding and properly IDing them as they arrive or pass through between late March through May can be a real challenge. Since we all need an annual refresher, we’ve enlisted the help of our most active and experienced birding trip leader. He will present a virtual tutorial using photos and recordings based on the general arrival sequence of warbler species in our region. Delivery will be on the Zoom platform, and registrants will receive a link for access. Registration will open on Friday, March 5.