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Bird Research and Monitoring

A green heron at Bear Creek

A green heron at Bear Creek

Research

Julian Tattoni banding a bird

Julian Tattoni banding a bird

Jasper Ridge Bird Banding Station

Banding involves the live capture, marking, and release of wild birds. An array of mist nets, each measuring 12 meters across and 3 meters high, are set up approximately 30 minutes before sunrise. These nets passively capture birds that fly into them. Nets are monitored by our research team and birds are removed upon capture for processing.

After the species has been identified we place a small aluminum band around the bird’s leg. Each band has a unique 9-digit number issued by the Bird Banding Laboratory of the USGS. Once the band is on the bird additional data is taken, such as the age and sex, along with standard body measurements. After processing the bird is safely released. 

The banding program was started in May 2018 by Stanford student Julian Tattoni and is funded through undergraduate research grants.

Jasper Ridge Motus Wildlife Tracking System

Motus is an international collaborative research network that leverages radio signaling to track and monitor migratory animals.

A Swainson's thrush with a radio tag on its back. Photo by Trevor Hebert

Monitoring

Bird Census Transect and Point Count Survey

Click the link below to the project page to learn about survey methods. To volunteer, contact: trv.hebert [at] stanford.edu (subject: Bird%20Database%20help) (Trevor Hébert)

Point Area Groups

Area 1 – Chaparral (Points 3, 7, 6, 9-12)

Area 2 – High Grasslands (Points 13-18)

Area 3 – Docent Center (Points 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 21, 28)

Area 4 – Blue Oaks (Points 19, 20, 22-27)

Map of JRBP Point and Transect Survey Locations

Map of JRBP Point and Transect Survey Locations

JR Affiliates Access to the Bird Census Database

For help with the database, please contact: trv.hebert [at] stanford.edu (subject: Bird%20Database%20help) (Trevor Hébert)