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Big Sur Ornithology 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 created the Big Sur Ornithology Lab. 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 ornithology 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 Big Sur Ornithology 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 at BSOL.

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 BSOL update or Don Roberson's website for highlights of the 2007 event and for information about Birdathons in previous years.

Our annual Peter Pyle Workshop on Advanced Ageing & Sexing of Passerines is an opportunity for bird banders to learn more about how to age and sex birds in the hand using molt and plumage characteristics. The 2008 workshop, scheduled for May 19-23, will be co-sponsored by VWS and the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO). Last year's workshop was a great success thanks to Peter Pyle and our many participants. Check our May 2007 BSOL update for details about the workshop, and see our Peter Pyle Workshop page for information about the 2008 workshop.

See our tables summarizing the species captured at the Big Sur Ornithology Lab for the years 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 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 either call us at (831) 624-1202, or e-mail BSOL's Wildlife Biologist Jessica Griffiths at JessicaGriffiths@VentanaWS.org 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.