Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

10/07/2025

September’s Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy walk at Algonkian Regional Park was filled with bird activity, with birders spotting 60 species along the trails. Warblers were the highlight of the day, including Magnolia, Northern Parula, Bay-breasted, and even a striking Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler hybrid. Other sightings included Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Swainson’s Thrush, and a Philadelphia Vireo.

📍 Highlights from the most recent walk: https://loudounwildlife.org/2025/09/abundant-warblers-algonkian-park/

📝 The complete lists are on eBird:
Checklist 1: https://ebird.org/checklist/S274716520
Checklist 2: https://ebird.org/checklist/S274716452

📸 Photo credit: Bryan Henson

📅 Join us for our October walk: https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-algonkian-october/

10/07/2025

🚨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Rt 15 Lucketts Bypass

TOMORROW — Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025 | 6:00 PM

Lucketts Community Center (county presentation on bypass options)

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐉𝐊 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐎𝐚𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲—a vital refuge for local wildlife and a treasure in our community.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨:
1. Email today → Board of Supervisors & DTCI (use our community-backed talking points) in this post

2. Show up tomorrow → Be there in person to stand up for JK Black Oak!

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy+ Lucketts Voicehave prepared clear asks & talking points with broad community support (scroll through photos for detailed info).

10/07/2025

🌟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 🌟

We’re honored to recognize Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouses as our 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞! Their generous $5,000 contribution supports Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s mission to 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐄𝐓𝐂𝐓, 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄, and 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐄 wildlife habitat by celebrating the natural world through conservation, education, and community science.

This year is especially meaningful as Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouses celebrates 100 years of growing with Loudoun County! For a century, they’ve helped residents connect with nature, nurturing pollinator-friendly gardens, promoting native plants, and inspiring sustainable landscapes that benefit both people and wildlife.

Their century-long legacy of stewardship aligns beautifully with what the 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 is all about: community, connection, and care for the natural spaces that make Loudoun thrive.

💚 Please join us in thanking Abernethy & Spencer Greenhouses for a century of dedication to growth, sustainability, and giving back. We are so appreciative of their support in helping make this year’s 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 our most successful yet!

🪴 Learn more: abernethyspencer.com

10/07/2025

The next county meeting on the Rt 15 Lucketts Bypass is tomorrow! It's not too late to email the Board and DTCI in preparation-- we still need voices to speak up to protect JK Black Oak. We've been working with Lucketts Voice to craft asks and talking points that have community support. Check this out below, send a quick email, and we'll see you tomorrow night!

10/06/2025

Are you Walking for Wildlife this October?
Take a pic and tag LLoudoun Wildlife Conservancy!

🐝 Because...Every step. Every sighting. Every detail counts.

From the tiniest insect to the largest bird, your observations during 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 all add up. Each one tells a story, strengthens community science, and brings us closer to understanding and protecting Loudoun’s incredible wildlife.

📅 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 & 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫: http://bit.ly/45WspOp

Step outside, slow your pace, and let every tiny discovery count.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬 - 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 - 𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬!

𝐖𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐒!!!

10/06/2025

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬

Crisp autumn mornings are perfect for exploring the trails of Banshee Reeks and spotting the many feathered residents and migrants passing through.

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞.

📍 Highlights from the most recent walk:
https://loudounwildlife.org/2025/09/three-species-of-mimics-banshee-reeks/

📝 The complete list of 40 species is on eBird:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S273139338

📅 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬:
https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-banshee-october/

📸 Photo credit: Chris B***r

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

10/03/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧!

Every autumn, nature gives us one of the most breathtaking migrations on Earth—monarch butterflies & hummingbirds traveling thousands of miles to their wintering grounds.

Thanks to 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡, you can follow their paths in real time through community sightings—including many right here in Loudoun County! From caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, these sightings tell the story of resilience & wonder.

Explore the live maps & track the migration:
🐦 Hummingbirds: Follow the Map https://maps.journeynorth.org/map/?map=hummingbird&year=2025

🦋 Monarchs: Follow the Map https://maps.journeynorth.org/map/?map=monarch-adult-fall&year=2025

Have you spotted monarchs or hummingbirds in your backyard this season?

Share your photos or videos in the comments below—we’d love to see your captures!!

📸 Photo Credit: Katherine Daniels & Jim Clark

The SilverLee Solution Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Journey North

10/02/2025

⚠️Groundwater conditions in 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 have significantly worsened over the past several decades, and a new study from the Agriculture Workgroup with the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition (LCPCC) provides the powerful details.

The workgroup evaluated the science which defines groundwater, chronicled the history of groundwater resource management in 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲, and developed strategies to address groundwater issues and problems.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞!

➡️ Check out the full report on the LCPCC website: https://loudouncoalition.org/loudoun-county-groundwater-study/

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

10/02/2025

𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!

Minutes vs. hours.

Kids spend just minutes outdoors but hours on screens every day. Over the last two decades, this shift has been linked to rising health challenges. The good news is that more time outside can help reverse this trend.

Research shows that nature time:
🌳Improves sleep & eyesight
🌳Reduces anxiety & ADHD symptoms
🌳Boosts vitamin D & supports healthy rhythms
🌳Builds community & connection

Kids who spend time outside are planting the seeds for a lifetime of health.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy supports these goals every day through programs such as our 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, and even our annual 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 event (happening right now!)

This October, we join schools, healthcare professionals, and families nationwide in promoting healthy habits. Join us in our 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 thoughout October — step outside, explore, and give your family the powerful boost that only nature provides.

It’s not too late to sign up! https://bit.ly/45WspOp

10/01/2025

News and Nature Programs: October 2025 -

The days may be getting shorter, but Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy — celebrating its 30th year — continues to grow. Over the last two months, we’ve welcomed new staff to two brand new positions: Social Media Specialist Melissa Lee and Director of Education Tracey Baroody. As you’ll see below,...

10/01/2025

🐾 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑. 𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐑. 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑.

That’s what this year’s Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 is all about.

✔️ 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 impact: Every mile & sighting supports wildlife conservation

✔️ 𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐑 goals: Join a team or create your own, then climb the leaderboard!

✔️ 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 together: Step outside, recharge in nature, and share the adventure with friends, family, or coworkers.

📅 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 runs all October long—and it 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑺 𝑻𝑶𝑫𝑨𝒀!!

Register now & be part of something bigger: http://bit.ly/45WspOp

It’s not too late…Wildlife is Waiting! 🦉

09/30/2025

Sharing watershed info from our partners at Loudoun County Government

A watershed is all of the land area that drains water to a specific point such as a lake, bay or section on a stream. There are 17 large watersheds and 161 subwatersheds, totaling thousands of acres.