Ecology of Virginia's Barrier Islands

Salt marshes, sea grasses and oyster reefs are among the most diverse, productive and resilient marine habitats on earth, and they are thriving on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, a UNESCO biosphere. Here tens of thousands of migratory birds stop to refuel on route to their summer breeding grounds or wintering habitats. In the autumn, winter and spring, I spend time on the barrier islands at Chincoteague leading bird walks for the wildlife refuge and working on ecology projects for the Eastern Shore of Virginia Master Naturalists, and I write articles about the ecology for local media .