Numerous species of birds, including waterfowl and wading birds, use the coastal marshes for foraging and/or roosting, including various species of herons, egrets, ducks, gulls, and geese. Species observed in Tabb’s Creek along LaRC’s northern property include the following: Caspian tern, great blue heron, green heron, osprey, herring gull, great egret, white ibis, Virginia rail, plover, killdeer, sandpiper, red-winged blackbird, and grey catbird.
There is an active bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest on Langley AFB approximately 0.5 miles from the NASA LaRC property boundary. According to The Center for Conservation Biology Eagle Nest Locator webpage (http://www.ccbbirds.org/what-we-do/research/species-of-concern/virginia-eagles/nest-locator/), the nest was last checked and determined active and/or occupied in 2016. Therefore, it is likely bald eagles may hunt prey on the NASA LaRC property and the creation of additional grass areas would create more habitat to support prey species of the bald eagle and any other predatory birds that may be in the area.
In an effort to protect and enhance avian resources to the maximum extent practicable, LaRC has the following goals for bird management at the Center:
- Maintain and enhance habitat for resident and migratory bird species.
- Increase bird habitat through management practices to encourage new species.
- Partner with LAFB in bird management programs such as BASH, osprey counts and relocation, Bald Eagle management, etc.
- Promote the use of volunteer bird watchers on Center to help with data gathering on species.
