Help Scientists Track Birds This Summer

This summer the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is specifically looking for data from more obscure and under-birded areas.  This data will help scientists understand better how birds are affected by forces like climate change and habitat loss.  The project runs until...

Volunteer for the 2023 Spring Bird Count

The VFAS Spring Bird Count (SBC) takes place this year on Saturday June 3, and unlike the Christmas Bird Count, which monitors the population of wintering birds in our area, the SBC is held during breeding season. The data generated from both surveys can be used to...

New Spring Books

Check out these 5 new bird-related books for Spring 2023.  You can learn more about them on our Books for Birders page. Church of Birds: An Eco-History of Myth and Religion by Ben H Gagnon Dawn Songs: A Birdwatcher’s Field Guide to the Poetics of Migration Flight...

A Visit to the Academy of Natural Sciences

VFAS intern London DiIorio, a licensed taxidermist, recently visited the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia to learn about their ornithology collection and participate in their work for Bird Safe Philly.  Here is her account of that experience: The Drexel...

Spring Migration Trackers

Are you anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring migrants? You can track migration using Birdcast or Bird Migration Explorer. Birdcast models use the Global Forecasting System to predict suitable conditions for migration.  Bird migration forecasts show predicted...

2022 Christmas Bird Count Results

The cold weather on our planned count day of December 24 resulted in the count being postponed to December 31.  While the higher temperatures were appreciated by our volunteers, the significantly warmer day brought in a fog that really put a damper on any soaring...

Plants for Birds in Chester and Berks Counties

Audubon Mid Atlantic is continuing their spring Plants for Birds Program in Berks and Chester Counties! This program is a great opportunity for stream-side property owners to receive free native plants that require less maintenance than other ornamental plants, with...

Learn About Chester County Chickadees

Black-capped Chickadees and Carolina Chickadees are commonly spotted throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, but have you ever wondered how the Chickadee population is doing in northern Chester County? Watch this presentation by Brittany Coppinger, PhD, as she reports...

The Great Backyard Bird Count Starts Today!

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. This year’s count days are February 17 to 20. Anyone can take part in the Great...