Field Trip Report: Piney Grove Preserve 2026

Birders watch as Chance Hines checks a nest

Thumbnail Photo: Banded Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers by Rebecca Currin

On May 22, 2026, ten early risers met trip leader Lee Adams at the Virginia Diner parking lot in Wakefield, VA at 5:30 A.M. for the VSO Piney Grove Preserve field trip. Chance Hines from the Center for Conservation Biology was the liaison with The Nature Conservancy which owns this private property. The tract is managed for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Chance led us to several active nests and climbed one of the pine trees to bring down nestlings for banding.

Birders watch as Chance Hines assesses the nestling

Chance monitors the Red-cockaded Woodpecker population by surveying the nest cavities and banding the nestlings. We watched in awe as his adept tree climbing quickly brought the nestlings to the ground for weighing, banding and assessment. Once the chicks were returned to the nests and being fed by the adults, we also sought food back at the Virginia Diner.

Many thanks to The Nature Conservancy and the Center for Conservation Biology for their work managing the habitat for species of special concern and for allowing us this wonderful opportunity with Chance’s expert guidance.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S344952512

NOTE: The Piney Grove trip is an annual event, occurring sometime near Memorial Day. Timing is based on the nestlings’ level of development and is determined by the Center for Conservation Biology staff. The field trip announcement will go out via email as soon as the date is established. The number of participants is limited.