Features
Osprey and Menhaden in the Chesapeake
The Chesapeake is the largest estuary in the US, with more than 19,000 km of tidal shoreline. The Bay’s wide salinity gradient, shallow water and climate have made it one of the most productive aquatic ecosystems in the world. The Chesapeake Bay supports the largest osprey breeding population in the world and along the main stem of the Bay, pairs appear to depend on menhaden, which is also the largest commercial fishery along the Atlantic Coast. Three generations of graduate student research has demonstrated the dependence of breeding osprey on menhaden and how falling stocks are impacting provisioning rates and reproductive success.
Historic Database of Bank-nesting Birds in Chesapeake Bay
Throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, dynamic shorelines are often considered problematic for potential loss of uplands and sediment loading in waterways. However, stabilization techniques designed to slow erosion reduce available habitat for several declining wildlife species throughout the Chesapeake Bay. Over the last several decades, belted kingfisher, rough-winged swallows, and bank swallow have been widely affected by the expansion of the human population within waterfront areas and the desire to control shoreline erosion which eliminates a great number of wild banks.
Bald Eagle Concentration Areas in Chesapeake Bay
Eagles concentrate in the low salinity waters of the Bay where fish productivity levels are highest. These concentration areas are located along the upper James River, Rappahannock River, Potomac River, Pokomoke River, Nanticoke River, and upper Chesapeake Bay. CCB conducts seasonal boat and plane surveys to count eagles in concentration areas. Some concentration areas like the James River can support over 400 adults, immature and juvenile eagles at one time.
Landscape composition affects Whip-poor-will abundance
Although the call of the whip-poor-will holds a significant place in folklore and music, and is quickly recognizable to many, the ecology of this species still remains enigmatic. The mysteries about whip-poor-whil biology linger mainly because it is a nocturnal species. Information on whip-poor-whil habitat use and breeding populations is critically important to make informed management decisions to prevent further declines of this species. In an effort to close the information gap on whip-poor-wills, CCB conducted a study, recently published in the Wilson Journal of Ornithology, describing the influence that the configuration of different habitats has on abundance and distribution.
Fifteen Years of Saw-whet Owl Banding
In the fall of 1994, CCB launched a small project to investigate the migration of northern saw-whet owls on the lower Delmarva Peninsula. Prior to this time there were only 5 site records of the species along the Delmarva. During the 15-year study, more than 3,300 owls have been banded and more than 100 foreign recaptures and returns have been recorded. In addition to many new discoveries about saw-whet migration, the project has given many students and young researchers opportunities to experience migration research and has allowed the public the opportunity to see this secretive species.
In The News
VCU and W&M agree to share CCB
On 26 January 2009, Virginia Commonwealth University President, Eugene P. Trani, and College of William and Mary President, Taylor Reveley, signed a memorandum of understanding to share The Center for Conservation Biology. The agreement represents a commitment by the universities to conservation and to the continued development of CCB and its work. It is hoped that the new relationship will lead to greater collaboration that will benefit natural ecosystems and the commonwealth of Virginia.
Peregrine, "James," surpasses longevity record
Like many bird species, peregrine falcons have high mortality in the first year, followed by lower mortality in subsequent years. Only 3% of peregrines are expected to live beyond 10 years. The grand old male peregrine falcon, nicknamed “James” by the public, is still breeding on the James River Bridge at the ripe old age of 19 years old. He is now approaching a longevity record for peregrine falcons in the wild.
Panama adds the Bay of Panama to National Protected Areas System
CCB is excited to share news from our partners at Panama Audubon Society (PAS), that the wetlands of the Bay of Panama have been officially designated as a Protected Area under Panama’s National Protected Area System. The status of Protected Area under the Panamanian government gives additional legal framework for long-term conservation to more than 200,000 acres of wetlands in the Bay of Panama.
CCB Associate, Bill Portlock, honored by Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Educator & photographer, Bill Portlock, was recently honored by one of the nations' premier natural history organizations, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI), with a photography exhibit. "I'm excited, and a bit scared," Portlock confided about this singular honor, "[yet] very honored and pleased to get such an audience, and the opportunity to get people engaged- and outdoors more." In his role as Senior Educator at Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Portlock is a valuable collaborator and partner to CCB.
Earth Day eagle banding at Norfolk Botanical Garden
CCB researchers banded and measured the three healthy chicks from the bald eagle nest at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens (NBG) as an Earth Day event, Wednesday April 22nd. In May, CCB will return to the nest to fit the largest eaglet with a satellite-transmitter, enabling researchers and interested citizens to learn about the young eagle's travels after it fledges from the nest at NBG. You can assist the project by adopting the eagle, to help support the cost of the satellite-transmitted data.
Media coverage
Recent news involving CCB from the Richmond Times & Baltimore Sun, including: Richmond's great blue herons, Eagles nesting near a Maryland airport, and a local story on James River eagles picked-up nationally by USA Today.
Recent Findings
Monitoring Shorebirds for Avian Influenza
CCB recently joined the national surveillance program for early detection of avian influenza. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (strain H5N1) is a form of bird flu that when contracted by people, domestic birds, or wild birds, can be deadly. Biologists throughout the world have worked extensively to determine how this lethal strain may affect the human population and identify potential routes in which the disease may enter the United States through domestic or wild birds. In the realm of wild birds, efforts include analyzing migratory routes and monitoring key populations to provide the earliest possible detection of the disease.
Winter Population Count of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers
CCB has been involved in a multi-organization partnership to monitor and manage the Virginia Populations since the 1970s. The latest installment of this work was the CCB’s completion of the 2008 winter population survey at The Nature Conservancy’s Piney Grove Preserve. This winter, we documented 7 active clusters that supported a combined total of 31 birds.
Conservation Profiles
Featured CCB Staff: Libby Mojica
Libby is CCB's raptor biologist, working primarily on peregrine falcons, and bald & golden eagles. Her Masters Thesis at the University of Georgia focused on migration and important use areas of Florida bald eagles using satellite telemetry technology to compare the productivity of rural and suburban eagles. In our interview, she explains how her work in Florida contributes to her understanding of eagles in Virginia and throughout the Chesapeake Bay.
Featured Conservation Partner: George Kinter
An avid bibliophile and birder with a long government career speckled with assignments abroad, George Kinter is a natural storyteller, weaving tales of his global travels and bird-seeking adventures, with histories of individual volumes from his book collection together into a colorful tapestry. George has has pledged a donation to CCB of more than 400 volumes from his library. CCB and the greater avian conservation movement owe a debt of gratitude to George and the many others who have been inspired to make personal contributions to the research and education efforts needed for successful conservation.
Previously featured profiles
Get Involved
Find-out how you can interact more with CCB:
> New opportunities to sponsor CCB's satellite-tagged birds through WildlifeTracking.org
> Watch peregrine nesting behavior during breeding season on CCB's live FalconCams.
> Participate in citizen-science monitoring projects, like the US Nightjar Network.
>Learn how to report on one of CCB's marked birds.
> Help CCB by recommending our e-newsletter to a friend or by pledging your financial support.
Browse opportunities to get involved...
