Springtime Bird Outing with Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and the National Park Service Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
10702 Harley Road
Lorton, VA 22079
United States
Event Description
Join us for a springtime bird walk with our partners, National Park Service Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, on National Go Birding Day! Together we’ll explore the diverse bird species that inhabit Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area. This event is also during the 2026 iNaturalist City Nature Challenge for those looking to participate in the observation period.
Plan to arrive by 9:00 A.M. to meet your guides at the Mustang Trailhead, located at 10702 Harley Road, Lorton, VA 22079. Together, we’ll hike and explore Mustang Meadow and the Thompson Creek Loop Trail. Please note that this outing will cover approximately one to three miles.
Getting There & Additional Site Information
Go south on I-95 to Exit 163 toward Lorton. Turn left onto Lorton Road at the end of the exit ramp. Pass under the second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market Street (you will see Panera and Planet Fitness). Continue about 1.5 miles to the traffic light at Route 1. Go straight through the light (the road name changes to Gunston Road). In about 1.5 miles, you will pass the main entrance to Meadowood on the right. About half a mile later, you will see a large green pavilion—turn right onto Harley Road, then take the next right into the Mustang Trail Parking Lot.
The Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) offers 13.4 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of horseback riding trails, and 6.6 miles of mountain biking trails. The site includes two fishing ponds (one of which is universally accessible), 800 acres of forest and meadow habitat, environmental education programs, equestrian facilities, geocaching opportunities, and birdwatching. Learn more on BLM’s Meadowood webpage [linked here].
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) partners with Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) volunteers to provide educational stewardship programs and guided events at Meadowood SRMA in Lorton, Virginia. For over 20 years, NVBA has supported the site through volunteer surveys, guided programs, stewardship projects, and educational activities focused on local species populations.
What should you bring?
Binoculars are helpful but not required for birding. A limited number of loaner pairs will be available for participants. Guides will also use the eBird app to record sightings during the outing. We encourage participants to download the free app and set up an account ahead of time [click the link here to get started].
Please note that trails can be muddy after heavy rain or snow. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes with good traction. Plan to apply sunscreen or bug spray at your own discretion.
What is iNaturalist City Nature Challenge?
iNaturalist turns everyday nature-watching into community science. By sharing observations online, participants help scientists and other nature-lovers gather important data about a region's biodiversity. iNaturalist helps us all understand what species live in an area and how ecosystems are changing over time. Anyone can use iNaturalist as long as they have access to a camera and the internet. Whether you’re spotting a bird, identifying a plant, or uploading a photo, you’re contributing to a larger effort to better understand and protect nature!
iNaturalist's annual City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a global, community-powered event where people work together to observe and document wildlife in their local environments [see the project on iNaturalist at this link here]. During a few days each year, participants explore parks, neighborhoods, and even their own backyards to photograph and record plants, animals, and other living things. In short, CNC is a fun and accessible way to connect with the outdoors, support scientific research, and discover the hidden wildlife all around you.
Cancellation Policies for NVBA Bird Outings
Everyone’s safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. 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°F, 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. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility!
Questions? Contact NVBA’s Community Engagement Coordinator, McKenzie, at [email protected].
Pre-registration is not required for NVBA bird outings, but it helps us prepare and allows us to contact participants in case of last-minute cancellations (see cancellation policies above). Otherwise, this outing will take place as scheduled.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.