Welcome to the AUGUSTA BIRD CLUB
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The AUGUSTA BIRD CLUB was founded in 1966 and currently has over 200 members from Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro, Virginia, as well as nearby areas. Monthly meetings are conducted Sep-May in Staunton that includes a Program by an invited speaker. Our members organize frequent field trips and other events throughout the year. We are also active in various educational programs and conservation efforts as well as a variety of citizen-science projects such as the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, Christmas Bird Counts, and Winter Raptor Surveys. Anyone interested in joining are welcome to attend one of our meetings! Contact us with any inquiries you may have.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Oct 15 – Birds n’ Brews. Our next Birds n’ Brews social get-together will be Oct 15 at Alpine Goat Brewery in Weyers Cave. We’ll meet there at 5:30pm. Questions? Contact Ann Cline (anncline1443@yahoo.com).
- Nov 4 – Saw-whet Owl banding at Highland Retreat, 5:30pm. Located in the very northwest corner of Rockingham County, researchers here set up mist nets to capture Saw-whet Owls during migration to band and record measurements. It is always special to visit and observe their work! The trip has LIMITED spots available so please email Robyn Puffenbarger (rockinrobynamiee@gmail.com) in advance to secure a spot. Last year there was a waitlist for participants! We will meet at the Verona Park and Ride at 5:30pm to carpool (located off the I81 Verona exit close to Starbucks and Arby’s). Arrive a few minutes early so we can arrange the carpool to leave by 5:30pm sharp. If you’re willing to drive, thanks in advance!
Further details:
1) We will stay in touch in case we need to change the date to Nov 5. This can be a last minute decision by the banders, so be prepared for a sudden pivot!
2) Wear warm clothes in layers. Bring drinks and a snack.
3) Bring a flashlight or headlamp (there are no external lights at the station so it is VERY DARK outside)!
4) There is very poor or no cell service at the station.
5) The nets will be opened before our arrival, and we are timing it to be there for the first net check. They typically do 2 more net checks before closing around 10 PM. It will be a late night! - Nov 9 – Club Meeting. 7pm, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Staunton. Program: Tom Benzing – Wildlife Corridors and Road-Stream Crossings in the Upper South River Watershed.
- Nov 11 – McCormick Farm Bird Walk. Join Jo on this popular bird walk series at McCormick Farm. This is a great site for a variety of birds, and with fall migration in full swing, you can expect to see a variety of birds including warblers, vireos, swallows, raptors, waterfowl, etc. Meet at 9am at the main parking lot at McCormick Farm, which is not far off of I81 exit 205 in Raphine. Rain date Nov 18. Leader: Jo King (kingbird@yahoo.com, 540-430-0186).
- Dec 14 – Club Holiday Party. 6pm, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Staunton. No program, but plenty of food and drink plus a fun door prize drawing. Please bring an item for our donation drive for the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Donate Now!
The Augusta Bird Club is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax-deductible.
RECENT NEWS:
Augusta Bird Club Begins New American Barn Owl Nest Box Program. In early 2026, the Conservation Committee began discussing the idea of starting a new American Barn Owl Nest Box Program with the goal of helping to increase the breeding population of this important bird species here in our area. Read more HERE.
Conservation
We provide opportunities for members to get involved in a variety of hands-on projects and programs that focus on improving habitat, citizen science and conservation.
Nature Camp
Each year, we award several scholarships to Nature Camp, a non-profit, residential co-ed summer camp specializing in natural history and environmental science education.
Field Trips
We conduct many field trips/bird walks throughout the year, and all are welcome! Most field trips are local; lasting several hours. More distant field trips are also offered.
Join us as we work together to protect our birds and environment. Contact the AUGUSTA BIRD CLUB (info@augustabirdclub.org) for more information and learn about volunteer opportunities. We graciously accept support via cash, check, credit card, or PayPal.