MBCP’s Andy Brown and Alex Pellegrini will be featured speakers for the January installment of the Land and Wildlife Speaker Series. They will share insights from their research on Barn Owls, Kestrels, and Short-eared Owls, highlighting the life histories and habitat needs of these declining species. They’ll explore how changes in agricultural landscapes have contributed to their decline—and how habitat restoration, landowner partnerships, and global collaboration are shaping efforts to protect them both locally and worldwide. The talk will also explore ways you can help support these birds and the open landscapes they depend on. Read more and register to attend.

Andy Brown and Alex Pellegrini from the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership’s Farmland Raptor Program will present their ongoing research on Short-eared Owls in Maryland, focused on understanding winter habitat use, movement, and behavior in fragmented agricultural and grassland landscapes. Their work aims to address key knowledge gaps for a species that remains difficult to study and conserve. Read more and register to attend.

Alex Pellegrini will provide an overview of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership’s Farmland Raptor Program, an initiative focused on slowing and reversing the decline of raptors that provide vital ecosystem services for farmers. This in-person program sponsored by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, is free and open to the public. Read more.

Alex Pellegrini will highlight his research on barn owls and short-eared owls, exploring their fascinating life histories and the challenges they face. He’ll also discuss ongoing local and global efforts to protect these declining species and what’s being done to secure their future in Maryland’s working landscapes. Read more and register.