Cafe Scientifique

Thursday, August 28, 2025, 6:00 – 7:15pm

Title of Talk: Conserving Maryland’s Farmland Raptors

Speaker: Alex Pellegrini, Farmland Raptor Program Coordinator, Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership

About the Talk: The Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership’s Farmland Raptor Program is dedicated to advancing our understanding and conservation of raptors associated with grassland and farmland habitats across Maryland. The program focuses on four priority species: American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, American Barn Owl, and Short-eared Owl. In this talk, Alex Pellegrini will highlight his research on Barn Owls and Short-eared Owls, exploring their fascinating life histories and the challenges they face. He’ll also discuss ongoing local and global efforts to protect these declining species and what’s being done to secure their future in Maryland’s working landscapes.

About the Speaker: Alex Pellegrini is the Farmland Raptor Program Coordinator with the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership. In this role, he manages statewide nest box programs and leads several research initiatives focused on grassland raptor conservation. His work also includes collaborations with the Global Owl Project, the Global Short-eared Owl Working Group, and Project Owlnet, contributing to research on owl taxonomy and migration.