The Friends of Mason Neck State Park’s
Swanfall 2017:
The Intriguing Winter Waterfowl of Mason Neck
Sunday, December 3, 2017
2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.
Join us on December 3, 2017 for the Friends of Mason Neck State Park’s Third Annual Swanfall holiday celebration. Once again, the Jammes House, a former hunting lodge in Mason Neck State Park, will be decorated for the holidays. You can join us for a light buffet in this unique home situated on the banks of Occoquan Bay and enjoy a fascinating presentation by renowned author, editor, and conservationist, Paul Baicich.
As the leaves begin to fall and winter approaches, the population of waterfowl swells on Mason Neck. More than thirty species of ducks, geese, swans, and other waterfowl appear. Drawn by the protected waters of the bays and the abundant plant and animal food sources, more than 30,000 waterfowl wintered in the nearby Potomac and adjacent waters last winter.
Paul Baicich will introduce us to our winter visitors and discuss the importance of conserving wetlands such as those right here on Mason Neck. We will learn about the Federal Duck Stamp, one of the most successful conservation tools ever created to protect habitat for birds and other wildlife. Paul served as an editor for the American Birding Association, received the Ducks Unlimited “Wetland Conservation Achievement Award”, and co-authored the recently-published book “The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl”. He is President of the Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp and has been a volunteer at Huntley Meadows Park’s Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser nest-box program for almost 25 years.
A silent auction will feature photographs by Randy Streufert, whose stunning pictures of birds on Mason Neck have graced the cover of Virginia Wildlife magazine and the walls of the Park’s Visitor Center. We will also raffle Duck Stamps and signed copies of Mr. Baicich’s recently-published book.
The program fee is only $10 and includes admission to the park.
