August 25, 2026

Make some memories this fall at Walker Nature Center


Start by ordering a shrub or tree from our Fall Native Shrub and Tree Sale for lasting memories in your yard. Native plants provide proper food and shelter for many native species.


Adults, participate in the Parks for Pollinators Bioblitz this September. You can add observations on your own anytime throughout the month of September. Check out our iNaturalist project here. You can also join RA Staff to survey open space across Reston for pollinators on Saturday, September 26, beginning at Walker Nature Center. Email naturecenter@reston.org for more details. Last year 120 organizations across the country hosted one or more of these pollinator bioblitzes.


Bring the family for some nocturnal fun at our Nature and Nosh on Tuesday, September 22, from 6-8 p.m. We will have a food truck for the noshing, and visit the nature center and pavilion to see and learn about what our native animals are doing after dark. Free, no registration required.


And, of course, don’t forget to come to our annual Halloween House and Trick-or-Treat Trail on Friday and Saturday, October 23 & 24. This family-friendly (non-scary) event has delighted participants for decades. Register now.


Nature Notes – Fall 2026

By Pam Findley


September

· Northern Watersnake young are born.

· Fall colors appear on sumac and black gum trees.

· Hummingbirds migrate to Central America.

· Goldenrods are in bloom.

· September 22 – Fall Equinox, the beginning of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.



October

· Songbird migration peaks.

· Tulip Poplar and hickory trees have yellow leaves.

· Red-backed and Marbled Salamanders breed.

· Asters bloom.

· October 7 – Draconids meteor shower peaks.



November

· Crickets, wasps, slugs, and snails prepare for winter.

· Viburnum shrub leaves turn red.

· Juncos and sparrows arrive from the north. 

· American Hollies have bright red berries.

· November 24 – Full moon is a Supermoon.



Migration Season is Every Season

By Ken Rosenthal


If you’re thinking the fall migration of birds will start soon, you’re already too late. Birds in the Americas have begun migration before this was even written. Marvelously, at any given time there are birds migrating somewhere in the world. This includes north/south migrations for utilizing the long northern days during the breeding season, to tropical migrations that follow blooming flowers, ripening fruits or rainy seasons.


Read more


UPCOMING EVENTS

September 11: Bats of Reston: INFORMATION

September 13: Late September Bird Walk- Buttermilk Creek: INFORMATION

*September 14 or 15: Scampering Squirrels: INFORMATION 

September 17: Lake Anne Sunset Paddle: INFORMATION

September 17: Deep Dive Fall Migration: INFORMATION

September 19: Wool Felting Workshop: INFORMATION

September 21: STEAM Workshop: INFORMATION

September 22: Nature and Nosh: INFORMATION

September 26: Lovely Lakes: INFORMATION

September 27: Salamanders of Reston: INFORMATION

September 29: Birding at Blandy: INFORMATION

October 4: Mushrooms of Reston: INFORMATION

*October 5 or 6: Li’l Pumpkins Halloween Party: INFORMATION

October 11: October Bird Walk- Stratton Woods Park: INFORMATION

October 15: Deep Dive: INFORMATION

October 16: Creepy Critters Campfire: INFORMATION

*October 17 or 20: Creatures of Halloween: INFORMATION

*October 23 or 24: Halloween House & Trick-or-Treat Trail: INFORMATION

November 3: STEAM Workshop-Tree-rific!: INFORMATION

November 8: November Bird Walk- Twin Branches Nature Trail: INFORMATION

*November 9 or 10: Nature’s Thanksgiving: INFORMATION

*November 14 or 17: Nature’s Harvest: INFORMATION

November 19: Deep Dive - Parasitic Plants: INFORMATION

November 21: Thanksgiving Centerpieces: INFORMATION

November 28: Turkey Trail: INFORMATION

*Multiple dates available

STAY CONNECTED

Holiday closures:

Sept. 7, Labor Day

Oct. 12, Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day

Nov. 26 & 27, Thanksgiving


Nature House Hours 

Mon. & Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Closed Tuesdays 

Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sunday 1-4 p.m.


Walker Nature Center

11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191

703-476-9689

naturecenter@reston.org