This table lists the bird species reliably reported in Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, and Loudoun Counties and included cities) since 1980. The table contains a code for relative abundance and includes extreme dates for spring and/or fall migration for those species that migrate. I have limited the species and extreme dates listed in the Summary Table to those since 1980 so that the reader can have a reasonably accurate picture of the current state-of-affairs of avian abundance and migration timing in the area. Please understand that this is a work in progress and the information contained will likely change in the near future.

Originally, it was my intent to compile a list of all bird species that occur in No. VA and to develop a methodology for assigning relative abundance using field data I acquired in the last few years. It quickly became apparent that I could not achieve my goals as such a task required me to be in several different places at one time to see rare or very uncommon birds. And I also found that many species that have been observed in No. VA in the last two decades have been very rarely observed, that is, not observed every year. Especially by me! And, thus, making it very difficult to compile a broad database. Hence, I relaxed my original goals and consulted the databases kept by the Friends of Dyke Marsh (probably the best shorebird database in the region and a great record of weekly sightings) and that of Huntley Meadows (whose regular bird walks and surveys have resulted in an excellent historical record). I have also consulted with a few people who I know to be good observers, such as Larry Cartwright, Barbara Chambers, Roger Clapp, Todd Day, Charlotte Friend, Kerrie Kirkpatrick, Sue Heath, Bev Leeuwenberg, Sherman Suter, and Joanna Taylor, amongst others. I have also used information reported in VA Birds by people that I know. Please forgive me if I did not use your information; I am not a records committee but instead must make judgement calls often based upon few details. All errors and omissions are my fault. It should be emphasized this is a work in progress; I am sure I have missed species and reports and hope that interested people will be of assistance in updating the information in the future.