Join us in January for a month-Long celebration of coastal wildlife and nature featuring a flock of engaging programs to embrace our coastal beauty. Festivities include over 50 activities, excursions, tours, photo contest, birding challenge, the honorary Mary Reid Barrow Wildlife Advocate Award, and more.

Parks and Rec has teamed up with local organizations to add a series of exciting Thursday-night workshops leading up to the Winter Wildlife Festival, hosted by our various festival partners.

Schedule of Events

Thursday Night Workshops

January 4, 2024

4-5 p.m.: Birding With Tech presented by Virginia Beach Public Libraries at Princess Anne Public Library

Whether you're new to birdwatching or an experienced birder, join Princess Anne Public Library and learn how to take your birdwatching to the next level. Using free nature apps and digital tools, learn how to bring technology to the field and enhance your birding skills. Adults welcomed. Registration is required.

January 11, 2024

7-8:30 p.m.: Eastern Bluebirds: How Humans are Helping them Make a Comeback Presented by the VA Bluebirds Society at Kempsville Recreation Center

Most people have read or heard that bird populations around the world are in serious decline. For those of us who love birds, this is alarming news. It may seem that as individuals, there is little that can be done about it. But here in Virginia, there is one species of bird that we can especially help - our beautiful native eastern bluebirds. This presentation is designed to show how you can have a positive impact on increasing the number of bluebirds in our region.

You'll learn about some of the reasons for their decline; how to attract and keep bluebirds in your yard year round; the right habitat, nest box design and placement to optimize breeding success; how to monitor the nest box and what to expect. For this species at least, you can make a difference! Registration is required.

January 18, 2024

5:30-7:30 p.m.: Paint & Learn presented by Atlantic Waterfowl Museum

Discover the fascinating world of wildfowling and connect with the heritage of Virginia Beach at the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, located inside the historic de Witt Cottage - Virginia Beach's oldest private structure. Immerse yourself in the rich history and craftsmanship of decoy carving as you paint your own miniature masterpiece. Get inspired by the extraordinary talent of renowned carver, Ed Morrison, who has been perfecting his craft for nearly four decades.

Registration is $10 and is required.

January 25, 2024

6-8 p.m.: For the Birds presented by LRNow Offices

This family-friendly workshop will help you create some bird necessities for a successful bird habitat in your own backyard. Make your own set of fun activities to enhance your habitat and bird watching which includes:

- Make a bird bookmark to hold your place in your favorite bird identification guide.

- Help birds fill out their nests with a Nesting Ball full of their favorite materials.

- Make a bird feeder mobile to provide some seeds and fats to help your backyard birds during this cold season. Learn some bird basics and make your backyard your local birds' favorite hangout. Each paid participant walks away with all three items.

Registration is $10 and is required.

January 27, 2024

8:00 AM - Noon: Birding with award-winning guide & tour of CBF Green at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118898/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
$65.00

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Waterfowl Walk -1 at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
#118942/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

8:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Cape Henry Tour at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118906/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 8 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Fisherman's Island: A Wildlife, Nature & History Walk - 1 at Bayside Recreation Center
#118918/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: WUW - Recovery & Sustainability of the Blue Crab at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118955/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

10:00 AM - Noon: North Landing River Boat Tour - 1 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118921/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

11:00 AM - Noon: WUW - The Wildlife Beneath our Feet at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118956/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

Noon - 5:00 PM: Blue Goose History & Wildlife Tour - 1 at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118903/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: North Landing River Boat Tour - 2 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118922/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: WUW - Habitats at Home at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118958/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Birding Skill-Builder Workshop at Princess Anne Library
#118900/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 13 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: WUW - History of the Richmond Falcon Cam at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118960/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: False Cape After Dark -1 at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
#118914/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/All ages
Cost: $10

January 28, 2024

8:00 AM - Noon: Blue Goose Birding Tram Tour - 1 atPrincess Anne Recreation Center
#118901/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 16 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

8:00 AM - Noon: Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area Birding at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118938/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 13 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Eastern Shore Birding & Lunch in Cape Charles at Bayside Recreation Center
#118910/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 16 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $90.00

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Birding Skill-Builder Field Session at Pleasure House Point Natural Area
#118899/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 13 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $5.00

10:00 AM - Noon: North Landing River Boat Tour - 3 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118923/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

Noon - 4:00 PM: Notable Trees - South atPrincess Anne Recreation Center
#118931/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: North Landing River Boat Tour - 4 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118924/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel 4th Island - 1 at Bayside Recreation Center
#118907/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $15.00

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Whale Watching Boat Trip - 1 at Virginia Aquarium Boat Dock
#118946/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age less than 99 yrs

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Keynote: A World on the Wing at MEO Central Library
#118920/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

January 29, 2024

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Definitely not Dismal: A nature tour with a bit of history! at Mount Trashmore Park
#118909/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $90.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Birds in the City at Mount Trashmore Park
#118896/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 13 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $5.00

3:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Wildlife Beyond the Gates at Parks & Rec Administration Office
#118949/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $10.00

January 30, 2024

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Mount TRASH Tour at Mount Trashmore Park
#118950/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/6 yrs +
Cost: Free

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Beachcombing at False Cape State Park-1 at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
#118894/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/All ages
Cost: $10.00

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: VT Hampton Roads Agricultural Center Tour at Williams Farm Recreation Center
#118941/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 18 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $10.00

January 31, 2024

Noon - 5:00 PM: Blue Goose History & Wildlife Tour - 2 at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118904/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

Noon - 4:00 PM: Notable Trees - North at Bayside Recreation Center
#118932/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

Noon - 3:00 PM: West Neck Creek Nature & History Walk at West Neck Natural Area
#118945/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $5.00

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Parent and Me Painting-Winter Wildlife Edition! at Williams Farm Rec Ctr
#118653/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 5 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $25.00

February 1, 2024

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Waterfowl Walk -2 at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
#118943/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Exploring Virginia's Seaside Lagoon System - 1 at Oyster Boat Ramp
#118912/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 16 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Beachcombing at False Cape State Park-2 at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
#118895/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/All ages
Cost: $10.00

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Whale Watching Boat Trip - 2 at Virginia Aquarium Boat Dock
#118947/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age less than 99 yrs

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: First Landing State Park Night Hike at First Landing State Park
#118917/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $5.00

February 2, 2024

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Birds & History of Fort Monroe at Fort Monroe
#118897/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 13 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $30.00

10:00 AM - Noon: North Landing River Boat Tour - 5 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118925/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel 4th Island - 2 at Bayside Recreation Center
#118908/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $15.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: North Landing River Boat Tour - 6 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118926/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: False Cape After Dark -2 at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
#118915/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/All ages
Cost: $10.00

February 3, 2024

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Chincoteague's Crown Jewels at Bayside Recreation Center
#118911/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 16 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $145.00

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Waterfowl Walk -3 at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
#118944/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Fisherman's Island: A Wildlife, Nature & History Walk - 2 at Bayside Recreation Center
#118919/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

10:00 AM - Noon: North Landing River Boat Tour - 7 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118927/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Exploring Virginia's Seaside Lagoon System - 2 at Oyster Boat Ramp
#118913/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 16 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

Noon - 5:00 PM: Blue Goose History & Wildlife Tour - 3 at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118905/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: North Landing River Boat Tour - 8 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118928/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Whale Watching Boat Trip - 3 at Virginia Aquarium Boat Dock
#118948/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age less than 99 yrs

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Operation Owl at Great Neck Park
#118934/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $18.00

February 4, 2024

8:00 AM - Noon: Blue Goose Birding Tram Tour - 2 at Princess Anne Recreation Center
#118902/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 16 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Pleasure House Point Birding & History Walk at Pleasure House Point Natural Area
#118936/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $5.00

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Such a GRAND View! at Mount Trashmore Park
#118939/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $70.00

10:00 AM - Noon: North Landing River Boat Tour - 9 at Pungo Ferry Landing Park
#118929/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

Noon - 4:00 PM: Notable Trees - Central at Kempsville Recreation Center
#118933/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 12 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $20.00

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: North Landing River Boat Tour - 10 atPungo Ferry Landing Park
#118930/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 10 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: $45.00

2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: First Landing State Park Nature Walk at First Landing State Park
#118916/Activity category Winter Wildlife Festival/Age at least 5 yrs but less than 99 yrs
Cost: Free

Date: January 27-February 4, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Virginia Beach, VA 23451

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