Bird Safe Hampton Roads is a collaborative partnership spearheaded by the Cape Henry Audubon Society, in conjunction with the Virginia Zoo, the Friends of Indian River, the Virginia Society of Ornithology, the Elizabeth River Project, Tidewater Rehabilitation and Environmental Education (TREE), and other concerned community members. Together, we’re dedicated to creating a safer environment for the birds that inhabit our region or pass through during the annual spring and fall migrations.

The primary objective of Bird Safe Hampton Roads is to mitigate the hazards posed by urban and suburban development, which often lead to bird disorientation, building and window collisions, and habitat encroachment. These threats jeopardize the well-being of our avian friends and hinder their natural migration patterns.

TREE plays a crucial role in this initiative, leveraging our expertise in bird rehabilitation to care for injured birds that collide with buildings, towers, wires, and other manmade obstacles obstructing their migration paths. So far this year, approximately 5% of our patients have suffered injuries from such collisions. These incidents are often fatal, with most birds succumbing to their injuries upon impact or shortly thereafter.

While we’re grateful for the public support we’ve received, we recognize the need for greater awareness and action. We urge the community to join us in spreading the word and taking proactive measures, such as turning out lights during migration seasons and supporting organizations dedicated to bird and environmental conservation. Follow us on social media as we continue this effort to help our feathered friends.

You can learn more about the Lights Out program at https://www.audubon.org/our-work/cities-and-towns/lights-out or click the links below to find out wat you can do to help: