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Bird Banding Lab

Bird Banding Lab - Hours of Operation
Located at Andrew Molera State Park
Sunrise to noon
April 1 - May 30: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
June 1 - Aug 31: Thursdays and Saturdays
Sept 1 - Oct 31: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

Discovery Center - Days of Operation
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the year, 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Call 831-620-0702 or 831-455-9514 for availability in winter months.
Discovery Center

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.

See our Bird Lab Totals summarizing the species captured at the bird banding lab since 2000.

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.