Landbird Migration Banding

For 50 years Manomet has maintained a consistent spring and fall migration banding program with seasonal staff, interns and regular, experienced volunteers. The banding team operates 50 mist nets on the property surrounding the Manomet headquarters in southeastern Massachusetts. The nets are kept open for weekday daylight hours during the migration seasons. Banders walk the net routes once an hour, removing trapped birds and returning them to the banding lab where their species, age, sex, weight, and fat content are measured and recorded.

The resulting data improves our ability to understand and address the long-term population decline. Manomet scientists often collaborate with researchers at academic institutions to increase the analytical capability. Manomet scientists and banders host numerous school groups each season, teaching them about migratory birds and the impacts of climate change. More than a thousand visitors come through the program each year. If you would like to arrange a visit, please contact Banding Director Trevor Lloyd-Evans (tlloyd-evans@manomet.org).