Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival
The Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival will have free guided bird walks in the Refuge: Jericho Lane Trailhead, Washington Ditch Trailhead, Wildlife Drive (by bus), and Dismal Swamp Canal (7am); family activities from 10am-2pm; interpretative nature walks and bus tours to Lake Drummond (10am and 1pm); guest speakers; live animals; and food trucks. All events are free. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR GUIDED WALKS, BUS TOURS, AND TALKS. Sign up at http://signup.com/go/EAftCWB.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023:
Guided Bird Walk – 6am
Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge
*Restricted access: area only open for registered festival participants
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023:
Guided Bird Walks – 7am
Jericho Lane Trailhead (1330 White Marsh Road)
Washington Ditch Trailhead (3076 White Marsh Road)
Wildlife Drive (Birding by Bus) – departs from HQ, 3100 Desert Road
Dismal Swamp Canal (1246 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake)
*Registration required
Guided Bird Walks – 10am
Beginner Bird Walk with VA DWR – meet at Refuge HQ
Dismal Swamp State Park (2294 U.S. 17N, South Mills, NC)
*Registration required
Family Activities – 10am-2pm
Great Dismal Swamp Headquarters
3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, VA 23434
> There will be tables and tents with family activities, exhibitors, and a self-guided nature walk around our Pines Trail. There’s something for everyone!
*No registration required
Wildlife Drive Bus Tours – 10am and 12:30pm
Board the tram at Refuge HQ (3100 Desert Road)
>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!
*Registration required
Guided Nature Walks – 11am and 1pm
Washington Ditch Trailhead (3076 White Marsh Road)
*Registration required
Guest Talks – 11:30am and 12:30pm
VA Native Plant Society – native plants, insects, and birds
VA Dept of Wildlife Resources – The Butcher Bird: Conservation of the Loggerhead Shrike in Virginia
*Registration required
For more information, contact the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge at 757.986.3705 or visit http://fws.gov/event/great-dismal-swamp-birding-festival.