Conservation
Photo: Blue-winged Teal, Bob Schamerhorn
It’s likely that you’ve heard the numbers. The journal Science reported in 2019 that 2.9 billion birds have been lost since 1970 in North America alone. There are many reasons for the declines in bird populations including habitat loss, structural collisions, predation by invasive species, and climate change.
VSO Conservation Projects
Just as there are many reasons for the loss of birds, there are many ways we in Virginia can work together to sustain populations of the birds in our presence. At VSO, we’re not only concerned about these staggering figures, we’re acting through our conservation projects, research grants, and through advocacy. The workload of defending and protecting Virginia’s birds is extensive and growing. We hope you will join us in our efforts to maintain the diverse avian heritage in Virginia we enjoy today.
The Atlas is VSO’s biggest ongoing initiative. The Atlas is Virginia’s largest avian survey project ever covering all of the state’s geographic region and breeding species. With the help of citizen scientists and our partners, this project will provide invaluable information about Virginia’s bird populations and inform future conservation decisions. Learn more about the VABBA2 here.
The Virginia Society of Ornithology recently acquired Bramble Hill, a beautiful 30-acre birding preserve which straddles the Virginia-West Virginia state line in the scenic Blue Grass Valley area of Highland County. Thanks to the generosity of Wayne O’Bryan, who donated Bramble Hill to the VSO in honor of his late wife, Margaret, VSO will now steward the property, manage the habitat for early high elevation successional bird species, and continue to welcome birders to enjoy this special place. Learn more about Bramble Hill here.
American Kestrels are a welcome presence throughout Virginia’s rural countryside, and a treat to observe. The piercing cry of these magnificent little falcons echoing over farms and fields used to be a common occurrence year-round, but today the American Kestrel is a species of concern in Virginia, and their breeding territory has shrunk considerably. Learn more about where in Virginia this iconic species still nests, VSO’s efforts to understand their decline, and our efforts to conserve them here.
Kestrel in Nest Box. Photo: Diane Lepkowski
Take Action for Birds in Virginia
VSO stays abreast of activities in Virginia that affect our birds. We need your help! Sign up here for email alerts concerning ways you can become involved and have a voice for our birds.
Join the best birding community around!
Your support helps VSO to promote awareness and enjoyment of Virginia’s birds and bolsters our conservation efforts across the state.
Photo: American Avocets, Diane Lepkowski