Resources and Education
Photo: American Avocet, Bob Schamerhorn
Whether you’re new to birding or experienced, VSO has resources for you and a network of clubs and activities to connect with other birders and learn more about birds.
Get to know VSO’s Birding Resources
VARCOM
The VA Avian Records Committee records and evaluates bird sighting across the state. Click to learn more.
Rufous Hummingbird, Dick Rowe
Bird With Us
Join us for a field trip, survey or annual meeting to learn from an experienced community of birders.
American Redstart, Dixie Sommers
Publications
VSO’s publications feature science-based, original articles about Virginia’s bird populations.
Seaside Sparrow, Dick Rowe
The Gold Book
“Virginia’s Birdlife: An Annotated Checklist,” also know as the Gold Book, is a must-have resources for Virginia birders.
Blue Grosbeak, Dick Rowe
For New Birders
What does it take to become a birder?
All you need to become a birder is a birding field guide, a good pair of binoculars, and your fascination with birds. But it helps (a lot!) to have a community of birding partners who can share the enjoyment of birding. To find a local bird club check out VSO affiliate clubs across the state of Virginia listed below. They will help you learn the birds in your area and the best ways and places to find them. If you prefer to do some birding on your own, check out the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Birding Basics and the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail.
Birding Resources
Principles of Birding Ethics
In the Fall 2008 issue of the Virginia Society of Ornithology newsletter, VSO President David Spears said, “In the Federalist Papers, Hamilton and Madison wrote, 'If men were angels, no government would be necessary.' But men aren't angels, they went on to argue, and therefore we need rules to govern our behavior. What about birders? Are we all angels? Do we need rules?”
President Spears' article continued on this idea of rules for birding and defining ethical birding behavior. Many organizations have adopted the American Birding Association's code of birding ethics. The VSO's Principles of Birding Ethics are based on this ABA code, and VSO hopes these are guidelines that birders in Virginia will support and abide by. Please share copies of the principles with your birding friends
Virginia’s Birdlife: An Annotated Checklist (“The Gold Book”)
The first comprehensive annotated checklist of Virginia birds was compiled in 1952 by Joseph J. Murray and published by the Virginia Society of Ornithology. This fourth edition, published in 2007, updates the summary of Virginia’s avifauna, addressing the occurrence of 466 species in the state.
To continue reading the introduction, and for full access to all the species accounts, please consider purchasing The Gold Book for a fee of $20 through our online store.
Field List - Birds of Virginia
Maintained by the Virginia Avian Records Committee, this Field Checklist is a great resource in the field.
VSO Member Chapters
VSO is comprised of member chapters located throughout Virginia. Joining a member chapter is an excellent way to meet other birders in your area and practice your field skills. Click the name of each organization to learn more.
Bird Clubs
Augusta Bird Club
Back Bay Bird Club
Bath-Highland Bird Club
Blue Ridge Birders
Bristol Bird Club
Buchanan County Bird Club
Clinch Valley Bird Club
Eastern Shore Bird Club
Fredericksburg Birding Club
Hampton Roads Bird Club
Kerr Lake Bird Club
Online Resources
Here are some of our favorite links for more information on birds and birding:
All About Birds
American Birding Association
American Birding Association Eyrie (Young Birder Blog)
Audubon Naturalist Society
BirdCast
BIRDNET
BirdSleuth (for educators)
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Birds of the World
How to Begin Birding
National Audubon Society
There are many birding Virginia-based listservs that share birding information in the region. You can find links to several of them here.
eBird
eBird is a real-time, online checklist program that has revolutionized the way that the birding community reports and accesses information about birds. Launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, eBird provides rich data sources for basic information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
Looking for the Official VA State Checklist?
Join the best birding community around. Become a VSO member!
Our membership is a diverse group of both new and experienced birders. Join us in the field and you are guaranteed to learn something new!
Photo: American Avocets, Diane Lepkowski