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      • Support CVWO
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Welcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

Welcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife ObservatoryWelcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife ObservatoryWelcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

Protecting Wildlife through Field Research, Education and Habitat Conservation for 25 Years

WHAT WE DO

Welcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

Welcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife ObservatoryWelcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife ObservatoryWelcome to Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

Protecting Wildlife through Field Research, Education and Habitat Conservation for 25 Years

WHAT WE DO

cvwo president on visitng during covid-19

Brian Taber, CVWO president, talks about visiting the Hawkwatch Platform this 2020 season from the Kiptopeke State Park platform.

CVWO'S COVID PREPARATIONS...

"Because of the pandemic, the education and interpretation efforts by CVWO's staff at Kiptopeke State Park this fall will be different. To ensure the safety of our staff and visitors, we will likely limit group sizes on the hawkwatch platform and in our education programs. And of course we'll be abiding by all guidelines in effect at the Park. Currently, at Kiptopeke State Park, face coverings are required in all park facilities and where social distancing is not possible. Stay up to date on the park's guidelines by checking their web site and by checking our Blog."

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Welcome

We are proud to present our 25th Anniversary logo by Megan Massa, 2019 Bird of the Year artist for the American Birding Association, ABA. The stunning artwork celebrates CVWO's 25 years of wildlife research. 


Read the press release about our new artwork and meet Megan Massa in CVWO's newsroom.


SHOP our Cafe Press store for clothing and wares featuring the artwork here.

DIscover cvwo

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News Room and Event Calendar

News Room and Event Calendar

News Room and Event Calendar

Find out CVWO's latest announcements, newsletter archives and upcoming events!

CALENDAR
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Support Our Nonprofit Work

News Room and Event Calendar

News Room and Event Calendar

Check out our scholarship programs and how you can make a tax-deductible donation

DONATE
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Shop for CVWO Gifts and Wear

News Room and Event Calendar

Shop for CVWO Gifts and Wear

Shop our Cafe Press store and find clothing and gifts to share your CVWO spirit!

SHOP

cvwo wildlife research projects

Annual Kiptopeke Challenge

Annual Kiptopeke Challenge

Annual Kiptopeke Challenge

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Join the birding craze! Where else can you enjoy the beautiful outdoors, witness the majesty of migrating birds, and support an important conservation organization all at the same time.

Find out more

Raptor Research

Annual Kiptopeke Challenge

Annual Kiptopeke Challenge

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Since 1995, CVWO has conducted raptor research during fall migration at Kiptopeke State Park located on Virginia's Eastern Shore.  

Find out more

Butterfly Research

Annual Kiptopeke Challenge

Butterfly Research

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The Observatory has documented more than 101 species of butterflies and skippers in coastal Virginia, where little butterfly work has been previously conducted.

Find out more

Waterbird Research

Waterbird Research

Butterfly Research

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The Observatory conducts its own surveys and also helps with those of other organizations to document the movements of waterbirds in coastal Virginia. From climate change to development to commercial fishing to pollution to habitat loss, coastal areas are under pressure. 

Find out more

Songbird Research

Waterbird Research

Songbird Research

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The Observatory participates in the study of Prothonotary Warblers, as part of the Virginia Prothonotary Network, monitoring nest boxes in spring and summer by canoe at various sites. This is a species of special concern. See the General Blog for updates about this work.

Find out more

Education

Waterbird Research

Songbird Research

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A major part of the Observatory's mission is environmental education. Seasonal research staff, an Environmental Educator and volunteers provide on-site presentations about our programs and about migration in the Chesapeake Bay area of coastal Virginia.

Find out more
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Help Promote CVWO's Wildlife Research Projects!

new artwork!

Check out Anna Strunkels artwork honoring CVWO's Prothonotary Warbler research projects! You can purchase this beautiful design on many Cafe Press items, including tote bags, mugs, and t-shirts below.

Shop Cafe Press
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CVWO Celebrates Our 25th Anniversary

Riding the Wind, by CVWO's president, Brian Taber, is a celebration of birds, birding and conservation. The book - released in honor of CVWO's 25th anniversary this year - features essays, some previously published in magazines. Twenty illustrations by award-winning artist Julie Zickefoose accompany the birding stories inside and the cover art is by CVWO Hawkwatcher, Anna Stunkel. The book is a fundraiser for CVWO.

You can purchase a copy of Riding the Wind with the PayPal link below, or visit local Williamsburg bird stores, Wild Birds Unlimited and Backyard Birder, for signed copies of the book.


"Brian writes engagingly of his birding life over the years with essays on his experiences in Arizona, Costa Rica and many other places and times and of course, Virginia. Has two cover color paintings by Anna Stunkel, 19 black and white sketches by Julie Zickefoose and a Foreword by Pete Dunne. "  Harry Armistead


"I'm proud and glad to be a part of it!"  Julie Zickefoose

Buy Your Copy Now

Monarch Migration - An interview with cvwo biologist

 In this video you will hear from Michael Ferrara, CVWO's monarch biologist, who will share insights into the unique geographic feature of the peninsula of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and how this super highway for monarch and raptor migration provides tremendous opportunities for CVWO, scientists and the public to encounter the butterfly and hawk migration in the fall.


Visit CVWO's YouTube Channel here.

CVWO's Raptor Migration Research - A One Minute Short

In the opening aerial scene of this video, you can view the migratory route taken by 19 recorded species of raptors over the bottleneck of land that funnels the birds toward the Hawkwatch platform. There, CVWO biologists record information that is shared internationally with science data bases like HawkCount.org.


Visit CVWO's YouTube Channel here.

Donate Now

Thank you for supporting CVWO's wildlife research!


Many species of birds and butterflies across Virginia and North America are in decline due to habitat loss, pollution and other factors. Our paid seasonal biologists and our dedicated volunteers work to solve those conservation problems by gathering data and providing public education. Your donations support that important effort.


Your welcome donations are tax-deductible, and supporters receive our e-newsletters and our annual report.

Support our nonprofit work securely by credit or debit card using Paypal. No paypal account is required. Simply click the Donate button below, enter the amount when prompted, and click "Continue" at the bottom of the page. 

Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

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