For the 2,500+ volunteers who contributed data to Maryland and DC’s third breeding bird atlas, the completion of data collection was not the end of the project — it was the first step. After data collection wrapped up, one of the first applications was updating Maryland’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Next, MBCP will be partnering with the New York Breeding Bird Atlas III to analyze both states’ datasets concurrently. Read more
Across Maryland, people are making a difference for birds through small, practical actions. MBCP’s Garden Stories show that our small individual efforts scale into large collective action, and we accomplish more when we connect, learn from one another, and work together. Read more about the people making a difference for Maryland habitats, one native plant at a time.
Did you know that you can help Maryland’s birds by going to the library? Communities that are recognized by Bird City Maryland, an initiative of the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership, are creatively completing actions in the “Education and Engagement” category with seed libraries. Read more
The barn owl is one of the most beloved farmland raptors worldwide, but in Maryland, it’s in deep trouble. By attaching tiny transmitters to barn owls captured on their breeding grounds, MBCP will track the movements of the tagged owls throughout a full annual cycle. My husband, Solomon Woods, and I have funded this project in memory of our son, Eli Woods. Read more
MBCP’s Short-eared Owl Project will be studying the movements of this enigmatic owl using satellite transmitters. Alex Pellegrini explains how this community-funded project started and the progress he and Andy Brown have made towards accomplishing the project’s research goals. Read more
College students are gaining college credit and field research experience with MBCP’s Farmland Raptor Program. “The data that our interns are collecting are contributing to global research. This research will help to guide conservation actions,” explains Andy Brown, internship supervisor. Read more.
Are you interested in conserving Bald Eagles? Consider becoming an intern for our Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Program and receive an education award of $1,565 for you, your child, or your grandchild. Read more.
As winter gives way to spring, it’s a natural time to think about how your yard can better support birds. Read more.
In January, Farmland Raptor Program volunteer Michelle Huston climbed to the top of a silo to install a nest box for American Barn Owls with her husband Jayson who assembled the box below. Michelle tells the story of how they became volunteers and regional box managers for the program. Read more.
Scout Matt Florez led a Scout project in December 2025 to build eight American Barn Owl nest boxes for the Maryland Farmland Raptor Program. Read Matt’s story about how he became inspired to take on this project. Read more.
The Maryland Farmland Raptor Program has made it easier than ever to help with building nest boxes for barn owls and kestrels with a series of YouTube videos demonstrating how-to construct three different types of nest boxes. Read more.
As the state coordinator for Bird City Maryland, Pamela Kellett was part of an international delegation to Colombia in South America this past fall. When they arrived in Colombia there were two Bird Cities, and by the time they left there were twelve Bird Cities! Read more.
American Kestrels are almost entirely absent during the breeding season on the Lower Eastern Shore, according to data collected during the Maryland and DC Breeding Bird Atlas 3. The Maryland Farmland Raptor Program is working to bring the iconic raptor back. Read more.
