June Nature Happenings in the Mid-Atlantic

• June is Perennial Garden Month and National Rivers Month. Loudoun County, VA, has several wonderful gardens where you can enjoy the outdoors. Celebrate Virginia's waterways at the Potomac River Festival June 7-9 in Colonial Beach, VA.
• Young groundhogs (woodchucks) and raccoons emerge and venture out with their mothers. Here's what to do if you find a baby woodchuck.
• Crickets begin their nightly serenade. Can't sleep through the chirping? Turn your insomnia into a science project and learn how crickets can tell us the temperature.
• Bird migration is finished. Birds that are here now are summer residents that nest. Interested in stretching your birding beyond the backyard? This website lists birding hotspots by county.
• As the month progresses, feeders can become busy with visiting parents and fledglings.
• House Wrens are nesting.
• Flycatchers are back.
• Wood Duck and Mallard ducklings hatch and venture forth early in the month.
• Canada Geese begin molting.
• Coreopsis and Butterfly Weed start blooming; they're great butterfly attractors. Trumpet Vine starts blooming; it's a great hummingbird attractor. Have you ever considered turning your flower garden into a Certified Wildlife Habitat? The National Wildlife Federation has partnered with Wild Birds Unlimited in this conservation venture. Click here for everything you need to get started.

Bird Walks and Nature-Related Events

The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia hosts several nature-related events and classes monthly. You can see their full calendar here.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Sponsored Events
Registration required for some events. For details, registration and to see LWC's full events calendar, click here.

June 8 @ 8:00 am Bird Walk at Banshee Reeks                   
June 8 @ 8:00 am Young Birders Walk at Banshee Reeks
June 8 @ 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Loudoun Appalachian Trail Festival, Hillsboro
June 16 @ 8:00 am Bird Walk at Bles Park
June 16 @ 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Dragonfly Walk at Bles Park (new date)
June 20 @ 6:30 to 8:00 pm Presentation: An Overview of Butterflies in Virginia at Rust Library
June 22 @ 8:00 am Bird Walk at Sweet Run State Park Fee notice: Sweet Run State Park is now charging parking fees at each entrance/parking lot. There are self-pay kiosks. The fee is $10 for a standard vehicle.
June 29 @ 1:00 to 2:30 pm Butterfly Walk at Sweet Run State Park Fee notice: Sweet Run State Park is now charging parking fees at each entrance/parking lot. The fee is $10 for a standard vehicle.
June 29 @ 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm The Magic of Moths at Banshee Reeks