November

Nature Photography Workshop
Tuesday, November 3 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, November 7 (8 am-Noon)
Tuesday, December 1 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Leader: Lorne Peterson
Learn to see and appreciate the creative forms, patterns, and colors in nature. On the first night, our workshop leader will present his approach to observing and working with various expressions of nature to make photographs. On our field trip to Great Falls Park, MD, we’ll use our cameras to compose and make images of art in nature. Our final evening will feature a class “showcase” of photographic artwork from our field trip.
Members: $40; Nonmembers: $56
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Midweek Meanders at Great Falls, VA  
Wednesdays (10:15 am-12:30 pm)
Section D: November 4 - Old Carriage Road Full - call to be added to waitlist
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Enjoy one or all of these leisurely autumn walks through a variety of habitats in Great Falls Park, VA. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe birds, fall wildflowers and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles, and whatever else we might find. A few of the trails may be uneven or a bit rocky, but our pace will be slow. Those interested in carpooling will meet at our Woodend Sanctuary. Entrance fee to the park will be waived. All are welcome to bring along a sack lunch and picnic with the leader after the walk.
Each walk: Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Fall on Wheels   Sorry-cancelled
Friday, November 6 (9 am-2:30 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Fall is here and the towpath along the Potomac River is one of the finest places in the D.C-metro area to experience this season’s richness. In order to cover more territory and visit more habitats, we’ll use bikes to explore the stretch from Swain’s Lock to Riley’s Lock, a 12.3 mile round-trip ride. We’ll dismount often to look for fall fruits and admire lingering fall foliage, while keeping an eye and ear open for fall migrants, overwintering birds, and other still-active wildlife. Bring your own bike.
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

A Year at Boundary Bridge FULL-call to be added to waitlist
Saturday, November 7 (9 am-2 pm)
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we'll conclude our seasonal series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike, starting at Boundary Bridge just inside the Maryland/District line and following along Rock Creek, will be on natural surface trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking. Our leader is the author of City of Trees and knows this area well.
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Fall Along the Water  
(9 am-3 pm)
C: Sunday, November 8: C&O Canal, MD
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Join our Senior Naturalist on this series of field trips designed to track the unfolding of fall along three local waterways rich in natural history.  We’ll enjoy the changing fall colors as we search for late-season blooms and fruits; migrant birds, butterflies, and dragonflies; and other wildlife.  Our first walk visits the tidal freshwater marshes, swamps, fields and forest of Piscataway Park, near Accokeek in southwestern Prince George’s County, MD, where we’ll walk trails along the namesake creek, as well as the Potomac River.  Later in the month, we’ll move up-county to explore the wetlands of  Patuxent River Park and the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Tour roadway, closed to cars on the day of our visit.  On our final field day, we’ll walk from Riley’s Lock to Pennyfield Lock along the Potomac River’s C&O Canal (3.2 miles) enjoying the last days of fall color and the first signs of the winter season to come.  On each field trip, we’ll cover between 2-4 miles, with some uphill/downhill walking possible. 
Each walk: Members: $28; Nonmembers: $39
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Fall Hike on Sugarloaf
Saturday, November 14 (10 am-3 pm)
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tina Thieme Brown
November is the perfect time for a hike to observe Sugarloaf Mountain’s rocky outcrops, free of summer shadows, and to develop an appreciation for the monadnock’s unique place in the historic Maryland Piedmont. There should still be some autumn color in the trees, and we’ll see fall fruits such as persimmons and hickory nuts. Common witch-hazel will be in bloom and we’ll work on winter diagnostics of Sugarloaf’s trees and shrubs. Bring binoculars to observe resident birds. Our leaders are co-authors of two books on Sugarloaf. Tina will give pointers on drawing in the field, and Melanie will share historic and geologic highlights of this popular destination. Our hike will be short (less than two miles), but will include uphill and downhill walking and a fairly steep ¼ mile hike up to the summit and back—all at a slow pace.
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Natural Heritage Hike: Northwest Branch
Saturday, November 21 (full-day hike)
Leader: Bob Pickett  
Enjoy this local hike, just outside the beltway in Montgomery County, MD, as it takes us along a natural, wooded stream valley, including the falls of Northwest Branch. Teddy Roosevelt believed this site was second only to Great Falls for its attractiveness throughout the Washington, DC area. Human activity along this stream a few generations ago is also of interest, with our hike including the Adelphi Mill, the site of James Bond’s Burnt Mills, and a mica quarry before ending at the Brookside Nature Center. Although the hike will be 7.6 miles in length, it is a level hike on a hard soil surface (the first two miles are on asphalt). Be prepared for muddy conditions if wet weather precedes the hike. 
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge  
Sunday, November 22 (full-day field trip)
Leaders: Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson
Late fall signals the arrival of thousands of ducks and geese in the mid-Atlantic region. Join us on a visit to Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge, near Chestertown, MD, to search for waterfowl in the wetland habitats of this island, situated near the mouth of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay. Eastern Neck NWR has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area for Tundra Swans. More than 2,000 swans spend the early part of winter at the refuge, before moving farther south to wintering grounds in North Carolina. Others stay at the refuge throughout the winter, along with an estimated 35,000 waterfowl of other species. In addition to our search for migrant waterfowl, we’ll look for raptors, sparrows, and other seasonal birds.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Geology of Theodore Roosevelt Island  Full - call to be added to waitlist
Sunday, December 6 (1-4 pm)
Leader: Joe Marx
Theodore Roosevelt Island is a showcase of geology, befitting the energetic environmentalist whom it honors. Ancient Piedmont bedrock exposures occur at the northern end, while modern Coastal Plain deposits form the eastern and southern portions. Surrounded by the Potomac River, the island features natural levees and backswamps (like the Mississippi), a tidal inlet and marsh (like Chincoteague), and garnet-bearing rocks (like the Blue Ridge). All within walking distance of the Metro! We’ll hike several miles around the island, interpreting the story told by the rocks and soil. Free, but registration required. Please use the registration form .

Birding Hotspots in Loudoun County
Sunday, December 6 (8 am-4 pm)
Leaders: Joe Coleman and Laura Weidner
Join two of Loudoun County’s top birders on a daylong search for sparrows, hawks, waterfowl, and other seasonal birds at some of this County’s richest birding destinations. The group will meet at ANS’s Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg, then move onto Beaverdam Reservoir, Banshee Reeks, and the Dulles Wetlands, before ending the day at Lucketts. All levels of birders are welcome. Cosponsored with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (LWC).
Members (ANS & LWC): $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Birding at Black Hill  
Section A: Sunday, December 13 (8:30-11 am)
Section B: Saturday, January 9 (8:30-11 am)
Section C: Sunday, February 14 (8:30-11 am)
Leader: Mark England
The winter months can be an ideal time to learn more about birds and birding, and Black Hill Regional Park, in upper Montgomery County, is an ideal outdoor classroom for this study. Each walk in our series, intended for beginning to mid-level birders, will visit one or more sites in the Park in a search for waterfowl, sparrows, raptors, and other both resident and overwintering species. The Park’s habitats are varied and include wetlands and Little Seneca Lake, as well as forest and field. Join us for the entire series and observe the seasonal changes in numbers and species, or just sign up for individual walks.
Each walk: Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Two walks: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $44
All three walks: Members: $43.50; Nonmembers: $60
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Geology of Antietam Battlefield
Saturday, January 9 (10 am-3 pm)
Leader: Joe Marx
Maryland’s battle of Antietam took place in 1862 not far from Harpers Ferry, ending Lee’s first invasion of the North. The style of fighting and the scale of casualties were strongly influenced by the underlying bedrock of the battlefield. The local geology, typical of that of the Great Valley, is sedimentary and reflects a coastal origin along a now vanished ocean. We will drive through the battlefield park, stopping for three easy hikes of various lengths, totaling about three miles. During our tour, we will discuss the origin of the rocks, the development of the present landscape, and the influence that the bedrock and topography had on the course of the battle. The pace set and distance covered on this geology field trip is typically faster and farther than our usual "naturalist's shuffle."
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Hikes Along the C&O Canal
Hike A: Sunday, January 10 - Monocacy Aqueduct to White’s Ferry (6.7 miles) Leader: Stephanie Mason
Hike B: Saturday, February 13 - White’s Ferry to Sycamore Landing (8.3 miles) Leader: Cliff Fairweather
Hike C: Saturday, March 13 - Sycamore Landing to Violettes Lock (5.9 miles) Leader: Stephanie Mason
Take on two of your New Year’s resolutions at once -  to spend more time exploring nature AND to get more exercise - by signing up for one or all of these full-day hikes on the towpath along the C&O Canal and the Potomac River in western Montgomery County. We’ll begin the series at the mouth of the Monocacy River, about 40 miles upriver from the Canal’s beginning in Georgetown. Along the way to our terminus at Violettes Lock, we’ll pass by rich floodplain forests and canal wetlands, giving us many chances to look for overwintering birds and signs of other wildlife, as well as practice our winter botany skills. These hikes offer a natural history experience for persons who want to move farther and faster than the pace of most ANS programs. We will stop to observe natural phenomena, but will keep a pace necessary to cover the distance stated. Participants should be in adequate physical condition for such hiking. Hikes may be modified, based on weather or hiking conditions on the towpath.
Each Hike: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Two Hikes: Members: $56; Nonmembers: $78
Entire Series: Members: $78; Nonmembers: $108
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Walks Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section A: January 13 - Swains Lock
Section B: February 3 - Widewater
Section C: March 3 - Carderock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Join our Senior Naturalist for one or all of these walks along the C&O Canal, as we look for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, practice winter botany skills, and enjoy the expansive views along the Potomac River which this season provides. Carpooling will be available from Woodend.
Each walk: Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Two walks: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $44
All three walks: Members: $43.50; Nonmembers: $60
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Natural History of Owls
Thursday, January 14 (7-9:30 pm)
Leader: Paul Engman
Local owl populations swell during the winter as resident species are joined by northern migrants. Looking for owls and understanding their specialized adaptations is an exciting winter activity. This illustrated slide lecture will cover field identification techniques, basic adaptations and natural history of owls, as well as tips on where and how to find owls in the field.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Weekend in Cape May
Saturday, January 16 (1 pm) to Monday, January 18 (Noon)
Leader: Mark Garland
Cape May is a magnet for bird life at all seasons, and mid-winter is no exception. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this picturesque seaside resort in January and search for birds along the ocean coast, in field and forest, and through the extensive coastal salt and brackish marshes. The length of our walks will be determined by the weather: if it’s bitter cold, we’ll venture out on many short excursions with many warming breaks, while if it’s mild, we may undertake longer walks. Birds won’t be the sole focus, as we’ll discuss coastal habitats and conservation, and if other wildlife shows up we’ll be sure to watch and enjoy. Saturday afternoon and Monday morning will feature explorations of Cape May and Cape May Point. On Sunday we’ll venture further north to search for other coastal wildlife, perhaps staying in Cape May County or, if unusual sightings await, heading as far as the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and/or Barnegat Light. Several motels and B&Bs remain open all winter in Cape May, many offering bargain rates.
Members: $84; Nonmembers: $118
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Introduction to the Natural History of Lichens  
Thursday, January 21 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, January 23 (10 am-2 pm)
Leader: Dr. Paula DePriest
Winter is the perfect season to search for the varied hues and forms of lichens, the fascinating and mysterious inhabitants of unpolluted ecosystems. On Thursday night, Paula DePriest, of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, will introduce us to the natural history of lichens through an illustrated lecture. Saturday’s field trip to the Widewater area along the C&O Canal will give participants a chance to study and identify lichens in their natural environment.
Members: $38; Nonmembers: $52.50
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Note date change from Fall/Winter catalog
Sunday, January 24 (1-3:30 pm)
Leader:  Stephanie Mason
Come explore the extensive bottomlands along Washington’s “other” river—the Anacostia.  At Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, we’ll explore several trails in a search for winter birds and other wildlife, with stops for identification of winter weeds and woody plants. Carpooling will be available from our Woodend headquarters. Free, but registration required. Please use the registration form .

Introduction to the Identification of Gulls
Thursday, January 28 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, January 30 (full-day field trip)
Inclement weather date for full-day field trip: Sunday, January 31
Leader: Paul Pisano 
The variable plumages of gulls frustrate many observers, yet their behavior often allows careful and studied observation. This foray, designed for beginning and mid-level birders, will study the gulls which most commonly occur in the mid-Atlantic region. Thursday’s lecture will use slides to teach subadult and adult plumages, while Saturday’s field trip by carpool will take us to locations where the birds can be studied at length.
Members: $38; Nonmembers: $52.50
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

A Year at Boundary Bridge
Saturdays (9 am-2 pm)
Section A: January 30
Section B: April 10
Section C: June 19
Section D: November 6
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for a series of hikes in one of Washington, D.C.’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek, just inside the Maryland/ District Line. We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. On our winter walk, an ideal time to admire the Park’s topography, we’ll look and listen for winter flocks and identify many species of woody plants. In April, we’ll witness the spring magic of Rock Creek’s myriad wildflowers. As summer arrives in the Park, we’ll hope for a glimpse of a kingfisher as we look for ferns and early seasonal wildflowers such as enchanter’s nightshade. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Each walk: Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Two walks:  Members: $44; Nonmembers: $62
Three walks: Members: $63; Nonmembers: $88
Entire series:  Members: $80; Nonmembers: $112
Registration required. Please use the registration form .


Back to top of page