Guided Bird Walk

Update 2/12/26: This walk has been cancelled due to poor trail conditions. We hope to host another soon, keep an eye on our calendar for the next one. All registrants should have received an email with the cancellation notice. 

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Join Conservancy Staff for a guided bird walk to celebrate the Great Backyard Bird Count. This walk will start at the Bull Run Trailhead located at Poplar Pond in The Greens. The walk will be around 2 miles long and will take us approximately 1 hour to complete. The hardwood forests along this trail offer the perfect habitat for seeing a variety of species including woodpeckers, owls, songbirds, and more.

When: Saturday, February 14th 9am-10am

Where: We will meet at the trailhead at Poplar Pond located on the corner of Grassland Grove Drive and Tulip Poplar Place. We will hike approximately 1 mile along Bull Run to the Rock Garden feature before retracing our steps back to Poplar Pond. View the trail map here.

What to bring: Wear warm clothes for the weather. (Even if temperatures are cold, birds can still be very active!) Bring binoculars if you have them, if not we’ll have a extra pair or two we can all share. Wear sturdy shoes like sneakers or hiking boots.

RSVP below!

This month, we want to encourage our community to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) to help scientists monitor bird populations, migration patterns, and more! Started in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, this event allows birdwatchers to contribute valuable data on the health and distribution of various bird species. This year the GBBC takes place from February 13 to 16.

How to Participate in the GBBC

To participate, all you need is a way to observe birds—whether it’s from your window, your porch, or along any of the trails throughout Willowsford. You can count birds at any time during the event, and there’s no need to commit to every day. The more people who contribute, the more accurate the data, which can be used by scientists to inform important conservation efforts.

Step 1: Select a spot to watch birds. This can be your backyard, on a trail, or in a park. Just about anywhere in Willowsford will work! Here’s a couple recommendations:

Step 2: Watch Birds for 15 minutes or more at any time between February 14 to 17.

Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear. This may sound daunting to new and first-time birders, but we promise it’s not hard! Our favorite tool is the Merlin Bird ID app. Download it before you get started and IDing your findings will be a breeze.

Step 4: Upload your data. The easiest ways to do this is through the Merlin app mentioned above or the eBird Mobile App. If you prefer to not use an app, you can also upload from your computer. Visit birdcount.org for instructions.