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Bird Banding Lab
Andrew Molera State Park is an important resting place and breeding ground for hundreds of species of migratory birds. To understand these incredibly diverse birds and monitor their populations, VWS began monitoring long term population changes by mist-netting and banding birds. Through daily censusing, researchers are able to collect information on the health and distribution of bird populations. Our research is part of a global effort helping recognize the need for habitat conservation throughout the world.
The banding lab bands landbirds to identify migration routes, breeding and wintering areas, and mortality factors of common western birds. Band encounters as depicted on the map of band encounter locations indicate that some birds may breed as far north as Alaska and winter as far south as southern Mexico.
See the bird banding Lab Update for the latest information about birds captured and banded in the area. Take our Bird Quiz to see if you recognize some of these birds.
Our Featured Birds section gives detailed information about several local bird species. Don Roberson's website has photos and additional information about rare birds captured in 2004 in Big Sur.
The annual Birdathon is a fundraising event in which teams count bird species in Monterey County. The 2008 Birdathon is scheduled for April 26 and 27. See our April 2007 Bird Lab update or Don Roberson's website for highlights of the 2007 event and for information about Birdathons in previous years.
See our Bird Lab Totals summarizing the species captured at the bird banding lab since 2000.
Visitors, including school groups and birding groups, are welcome to observe the bird banding program at our Research and Education Center in Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, during opening hours. From April to October we are open 5 days per week, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from sunrise to around noon. From November to March we band only two days a week from sunrise to around noon, subject to weather. As a result, the lab may not be open on a given day. So, please call us at (831) 624-1202 on the day you plan to visit to confirm that we are here to welcome you.
For more information about birding at Andrew Molera State Park see Birding Andrew Molera State Park and Big Sur River Mouth and Pt. Sur commentary and photos by Don Roberson.