Scientific Research
on Block Island
Block Island Raptor Research
The Block Island Raptor Research Station (BIRRS) has documented over a decade of raptor migration, with Fall 2025 marking its 14th season of data collection. In partnership with the Biodiversity Research Institute, this work supports critical research on migration patterns, environmental health, and the impacts of offshore wind energy along the Atlantic coast. Click here to read the 2025 Raptor Report. Additional reports can be found in the Resource Library
American Burying Beetle Study
Ongoing since the American burying beetle was rediscovered on Block Island in 1986, this research tracks the recovery of a federally threatened species through long-term monitoring and habitat management. In partnership with RIDEM and USFWS, conservation efforts have helped grow the population to around 1,000 individuals, while also supporting regional reintroduction programs. See below for videos of how we support this important population.
Monitoring Migratory Birds
Long-term bird banding efforts on Block Island have contributed decades of data on migratory songbirds, making it a key research site along the Atlantic flyway. Supported by ongoing partnerships and field studies, this work continues to advance understanding of migration patterns, diet, and population trends through collaborative research and seasonal monitoring.
