Aerial surveys for cliff-nesting birds extends into the southern Appalachians
Peregrine Falcon population continues to hold ground in Virginia
June 13, 2008CCB continues work with endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker
June 15, 2008
Written by Bryan Watts
June 14, 2008
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. Photo by Bryan Watts.
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.
Bryan Watts and Shawn Padgett surveyed cliffs and gorges by helicopter. Photo by the Center for Conservation Biology.
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. Photo by Bryan Watts.
Big Schloss, Columbia Furnace, VA (George Washington Nat’l Forest). Photo by Bryan Watts.
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Adult female from Elkins Chimney territory. Both the female and male were lost from this site between 2024 and 2025 nesting seasons and were not replaced. This territory has been occupied since 1995. Five territories were vacated between 2024 and 2025 along the Delmarva Peninsula in VA. Photo by Bryan Watts