Erie Bird Observatory

ERIE BIRD OBSERVATORY (EBO) is dedicated to avian research, education, and conservation in Northwest Pennsylvania and beyond! EBO was founded in January 2018 by three women who saw a need to consolidate the avian research in northwest Pennsylvania under the umbrella of one organization. All three co-founders had previous ties with the area, some having conducted various research projects at Presque Isle State Park since 2007. The founding of EBO was partially inspired by wanting to continue their existing programs, but also as an opportunity to build more community involvement with the birds here and with more focus on this region. 

Mission

Programs and Services

EBO serves as an expert resource on wild bird populations in the region. Research programs include: documenting marsh-breeding birds in coordination with ongoing habitat restoration efforts; examining the stopover ecology of migratory waterbirds and landbirds; monitoring shorebird activity at Gull Point, including the nesting of PA's only pair/s of federally-endangered Piping Plovers; operating the long-term bird banding station out on Presque Isle. 

EBO hosts a wide-range of outreach and education programs that are free of charge and open to everyone, regardless of membership status. Programs include expert-led birding tours of Presque Isle by trail and by kayak as well as public bird-banding demonstrations. 

EBO collaborates with other local nonprofits such as Tamarack Wildlife Center, Presque Isle Audubon Society, LEAF, Erie Zoo, ExpERIEnce Children's Museum, Regional Science Consortium, TREC Foundation, and more on a wide range of projects throughout the year. EBO partners with FirstEnergy Foundation to provide Ospreys nesting on active utility poles with a safer alternative and with the Port of Erie to help provide migrating birds a safe passage as part of a nationwide Lights Out Campaign.