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• Friends of Mason Neck State Park Holiday Event

  • When
    08 Dec 2019
  •  
    2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Jammes House, Mason Neck State Park
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  Don’t Miss our Fifth Annual Holiday Event: Swanfall 2019

  
  

  Please join us at 2:00pm on December 8, 2019 for the Friends of Mason Neck State Park’s special holiday program at the Jammes House.   

  The Jammes House is a former hunting lodge in Mason Neck State Park, located on the banks of Occoquan Bay.  It will be decorated for the holidays and has stunning views of the Bay and the Potomac River. This unique home is not normally open to visitors, so take advantage of this rare opportunity to see the house and experience its magnificent setting and enjoy a light buffet with lots of tasty treats.    

  
  

             

  
  

  
  

  Then sit back and listen to a fascinating program presented by naturalist and author Bob Blakney. Bob is author of the field guide “Northern Virginia Dragonflies and Damselflies.” He has participated in regular surveys of the Mason Neck area for the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia for more than 12 years. Bob will present photographs he has taken of dragonflies and damselflies in the region and talk about these fascinating creatures that inhabit our local ponds and streams. 

  
  

  
  

      

  Photos by Bob Blakney

  
  

  Did you know that:

  •          Dragonflies have been around for about 300 million years.
  •          Fossil dragonflies have been found with two-foot wingspans.
  •          Dragonflies can fly straight up and down, backwards and       hover like a helicopter.
  •         Dragonflies are among the most efficient predators on Earth.

  
  

  The Holiday Party is open to members of the Friends of Mason Neck State Park.  Each member may register one guest.  The program fee is $15 per person, which includes admission to the park. 

  
  

  Not a member?  Has your membership expired?  You can join or renew your membership for as little as $20 per year for up to two people at Join the Friends of Mason Neck State Park.  
  

  
  

  
  

  Be sure to register soon.  Space is limited and this event always sells out!  

  
  

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• Take a Walk to See the Tundra Swans

  • When
    01 Jan 2020
  •  
    12:15 PM
  • Location
    Woodmarsh Trail, Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

  
  

  
  

  Have you ever seen Tundra Swans, those amazing birds that migrate thousands of miles from the Arctic to spend the winter in our region?  Their haunting calls are nearly impossible to forget!

  You've got a great opportunity to see the Tundra Swans at 12:15 pm on January 1, when the Friends of Mason Neck State Park will lead a guided walk to see them.  We'll start from the Woodmarsh Trail parking lot, on the left side of High Point Road a short distance BEFORE you get to the Park's Contact Station.  We'll walk about a mile over fairly level ground to the viewing area.  You'll likely hear the birds before you see them.  We'll have binoculars and telescopes so you can view the swans and other water birds and we'll also help you identify them.  

  There's no charge for this event, which is open to everyone.  Come out and enjoy the first day of 2020 with the Friends!  The trails can be a little muddy, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots.  

  
  

  Mason Neck State Park is also offering guided First Day Hikes in the park on January 1.  You can see their schedule of hikes at Mason Neck State Park First Day Hikes.

  
  

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