Join us for a day of guided bird walks and family fun activities! All events are free. Pre-registration required for Guided Walks and Bus Tours.
Registration:
ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see Bird Festival Registration on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/DkhYzcn
2) Review the options listed and choose the activities you would like.
3) Sign up! It's easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Schedule of Events - Saturday, April 30
Guided Bird Walks - 7:00 AM
(Approximately 2 hours; Registration required)
Locations:
- Jericho Lane Trailhead (1330 White Marsh Rd, Suffolk, VA)
- Washington Ditch Trailhead (3076 White Marsh Rd, Suffolk, VA)
- Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive Birding by Bus (Departs from 3100 Desert Rd, Suffolk, VA)
- Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (1246 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake, VA)
Family Activities - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Stop by our visitor contact station for some fun! We will have tables and tents with family activities, exhibitors, and a self-guided nature walk around our Pines Trail.
No registration required. Open to all visitors
Location:
Refuge Headquarters
3100 Desert Rd., Suffolk, VA
Guided Nature Walks - 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Looking to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Great Dismal Swamp? Join us for a guided nature walk!
Open to all ages and experience levels.
(Approximately 2 hours; Registration required)
Location:
Washington Ditch Trailhead
3076 White Marsh Road, Suffolk, VA
Wildlife Drive Bus Tours - 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Take a ride on our open-air tram! Join us for a tour of Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive and learn about the unique cultural, historical, and natural history of the Great Dismal Swamp!
(Approximately 90 minutes; Registration required)
Location:
Board the tram at Refuge HQ parking lot
3100 Desert Rd., Suffolk, VA
Additional Information:
The 2022 Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival is held in conjunction with the Virginia Society of Ornithologists Annual Meeting . For more information, please visit their website at https://www.virginiabirds.org/vso-events/vso-annual-meeting-2022
LODGING:
(Optional) For out-of-town visitors attending the VSO meeting and/or Birding Festival:
Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront, 100 E. Constance Road, Suffolk VA 23434.
Room reservations can be made by phone at (757)-925-1300. Please specify that you are a part of Virginia Society of Ornithology – Great Dismal Swamp group when making reservations to guarantee the discounted rate of $89 per room, which will be available until March 29, 2022.