Birders at Glen Alton- Photo by Laura Mae
Thumbnail Photo - Blue-headed Vireo by Pam Scrima
The New River Valley Bird Club will host the VSO summer field trip May 1-3, 2026, featuring some of the best birding areas in the Southern Appalachians. The varied topography and the river valley offer a wide variety of habitats and bird species. Field trips will be offered Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning. Bill Akers and Jerry Via will be our trip leaders, and they are organizing some terrific activities for us!
VERY Important! All VSO field trips are open to members at no charge. If you have not renewed your dues for 2026 or have not joined yet, you can RENEW or JOIN here!
TRIP REGISTRATION
Please register online HERE. Provide the names of participants in your party with each person’s telephone number and email address so we can contact you as needed. If you have any questions, contact Meredith Bell, trip coordinator, at merandlee@gmail.com or 804-824-4958.
HEADQUARTERS
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Blacksburg is the host hotel (1020 Plantation Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060). Room rate for the VSO block of rooms on Friday and Saturday nights is $129/night (plus tax) for single or double. Double and King beds are available, and some suites have pull-out beds. For those arriving a day early or staying an extra day, the rate for Thursday and Sunday nights is $99/night (plus tax). There are microwaves and refrigerators in all rooms. Register by Wednesday, APRIL 1, to get the special rate and state you’re with VSO when you call: (540) 552-0900. Or you can make your reservation online here.
MEALS
A complimentary hot breakfast buffet is included with your stay. You’ll need to bring lunch for Saturday. (There are several sandwich stores near the hotel.) Dinners are on your own. There are many excellent restaurants in Blacksburg.
SCHEDULE
MONDAY, APRIL 27
We’ll hold a Zoom video call to overview the weekend and have a presentation by Jerry Via. We’ll record the call and send a link for the recording to all registrants afterwards.
FRIDAY PM, MAY 1 - UVA Biological Station and Mountain Lake Lodge area (approximately 35-minute drive)
We’ll start at the UVA Biological Station at Mountain Lake (no dogs allowed), where target birds include Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Least Flycatcher, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Black-capped Chickadee. From there, we’ll go to an area of rhododendrons near Mountain Lake Lodge, where we’ll look for Canada, Black-throated Blue Warbler, and Veery.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
AM - Glen Alton and Kelly Flats (approximately 45-minute drive)
This is a full-day trip, so be sure to bring lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Once at our destination, we will divide into smaller groups and alternate visits to both areas.
Glen Alton is an estate now owned by the Jefferson National Forest. It is unusual because the elevation is 2,600 feet, but some of the birds there are normally found at much higher elevations. There are many beautiful trails along a stream, fish ponds, and beaver pond. The walking is level and easy. Specialties include Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Northern Parula, Blue-headed Vireo, and Brown Creeper.
Kelly Flats includes a small bog and a walk along a fire road. This trail requires walking up a hill, but we’ll cover it at a slow pace. Highlights will be Red-breasted Nuthatch, Scarlet Tanager, Acadian Flycatcher, and singing Hermit Thrush.
PM
We’ll visit other areas in the New River Valley in search of species like Golden-winged, Hooded and Kentucky Warblers.
5:30 PM - Tally of species, 1st floor hotel conference room
Dinner on your own
SUNDAY AM, MAY 3
Plans are still being finalized for the specific destinations Sunday morning.
A list of restaurant recommendations in Blacksburg will be available when you check in. In addition, there will be printed descriptions of other local birding sites you can check out on your own.
If you have any questions, contact field trip coordinator Meredith Bell at (804) 824-4958 or merandlee@gmail.com.