Ospreys Come Home to Colonial Beach
The 4th Annual Osprey Festival of the Potomac/Chesapeake Bay Watershed
April 9, 2022 - Colonial Beach, Virginia
Colonial Beach, Virginia
The Fourth Annual Osprey Festival of the Potomac/Chesapeake Bay Watershed
happens from 9am-5pm April 9, 2022. When Colonial Beach or “CB” on the Potomac River received designated bird sanctuary status many years ago, the ospreys decided to make CB home. The osprey is this delightful town’s signature bird. Locals have taken on the task of watching osprey nests and many returning osprey couples have names like Tony and Tina from West Side Story, Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone, and Mrs. Robinson, the only returning banded bird who turned 20 last season.
Saturday, April 9, a full nest of expert presentations, live demonstrations, guided bird walks, golf cart and trolley nest tours, vendors and exhibitors land on Town Hill. The US Potomac River Fisheries Commission building has birding and wildlife experts from 9:30-3:30pm. At 1pm on Saturday, there is a live Zoom presentation by world renowned osprey expert, Dr. Alan Poole. In addition, ticket holders can hear about Northern Neck raptors with wildlife expert Michael Callahan and review a year in the life of a local bird family with osprey blogger and Master Naturalist Pam Narney. Saturday evening enjoy a quaint local restaurant and hear live music in Grand Ol’ Osprey style at Colonial Beach Brewing.
The annual festival on April 9 celebrates birdwatching on the Potomac and the area’s abundant natural resources. Start off the weekend on Friday night, April 8, with a downtown art walk featuring wildlife subjects and live music from 5-8pm in the historic section of town. Rent a golf cart, kayak or canoe or hike, bike or travel by car to take a closer look at osprey platforms during nesting season.
Tickets are now available online at www.colonialbeachospreyfestival.org. Tickets before the festival are $10 per person and $15 per couple (kids with an adult get in free). Tickets on festival day, April 9, are $15 and $20 at the gate (kids with an adult still get in free). Make arrangements to stay in one of the charming hotels or cottages available in this hidden traveler’s treasure. Several marinas play host to visitors traveling by boat. Camping accommodations are also available. The festival, hosted by Downtown Colonial Beach, supports revitalization of the charming historic downtown and commercial core of this Potomac River beachfront community.
Contact: Sally Adams 918-851-3482 or reply to email ospreycbva@gmail.com