Birds

Since May 2017, students and researchers have operated a bird banding station at Fort Ord Natural Reserve. Birds are captured using a combination of mist nets and baited traps, and affixed with individually numbered aluminum USFWS bands. Observational and tagging data gathered at our station can assess diversity and population trends of both resident and migratory species. Undergraduate students work under the guidance of federally permitted researchers and UCSC faculty to complete senior capstone, UROC, and other projects integrating bird banding with disciplines including experiential outdoor education, statistics, environmental science, and biology. Local K-12 school groups visit our banding station to participate in interpretive programming, building their knowledge of wildlife and field biology, and introducing them to a career in the natural sciences.

We are always looking for new ways to monitor birds at the reserve. Contact us for more information on how to get involved.

Below is a list of the avian species that have been captured on UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve. A PDF version can be accessed here.