Each year, the Mason Neck area is host to one of Northern Virginia's largest concentrations of Tundra Swans.

"A characteristic whistling in their wings led Meriwether Lewis to call them "whistling swans," a name still in use. These elegant creatures—slightly smaller than our other native species, the Trumpeter Swan—nest on arctic tundra and visit the U.S. only on migration and in winter. Most have a smudge of yellow at the base of their black bill, but otherwise are pure white.” --All About Birds – The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF MASON NECK STATE PARK 

FOR A WALK TO SEE THE TUNDRA SWANS

WHAT

Depending on the day, you may see between 200 and 400 swans and hear their haunting calls. You may also see other waterfowl, including Northern Pintails, American Coots, Ruddy Ducks, Black Ducks and Mallards, and who knows what else?

Bring your binoculars if you have them. If not, we’ll have binoculars and telescopes for visitors to share.

The tide will be high when we get there, which will maximize the likelihood that the birds will be close to us. 

WHEN AND WHERE

We’ll gather at the Woodmarsh Trail parking lot, Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge at 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, on February 10, 2018. It’s on the left of High Point Road about a quarter mile before the Mason Neck State Park Contact Station. Here's a Google map.

We will then take about a 1-mile walk on level ground to the bird blind at the marsh. So bring a zoom lens if you have one for your camera to capture these spectacular swans.

Learn about the park's wonderful volunteer group, Friends of Mason Neck State Park here.

NO COST

There is no charge for the hike, so there is no need to pay the state park entrance fee since we will be outside the park. But if you would like to spend the day at Mason Neck State Park, you can click here to learn about park trails, and more. 

COME OUT TO MASON NECK TO SEE WHISTLING SWANS