Aerial surveys for cliff-nesting birds extends into the southern Appalachians

 

Exposed rock surfaces are relatively rare habitats within the southern Appalachians and virtually nothing is known about the status of bird populations that depend on them for nesting.

Morris Knob, Tazewell County, VA

 

During the 2008 breeding season, CCB biologists conducted surveys of the New River Gorge and the Gauley River by helicopter for cliff-nesting birds. This effort extends a much larger survey conducted in 2005 when the spine of the mountain range in Virginia, West Virginia, and portions of Kentucky was surveyed. The entire effort mapped, characterized, and surveyed 242 cliff surfaces. Cliffs supported 11 bird species including common ravens and peregrine falcons.

 

 

This set of surveys by CCB resulted in the first digital atlas of cliffs and cliff-nesting birds for the region.

 

Fins of granite near Seneca, WV

 

 

Big Schloss, Columbia Furnace, VA (George Washington Nat’l Forest)	Bryan Watts and Shawn Padgett surveyed cliffs and gorges by helicopter.

 

 

Full report available:

CCB's 2006 Cliff Survey report [pdf document]