2017 Bird Banding on Fort Morgan

For the current year’s bird-banding event, please visit alaudubon.org/birdbanding.

Birmingham Audubon—in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Mississippi State University, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, the Alabama Historical Commission, and Mobile Bay Audubon Society—is excited to announce our new Coastal Alabama Bird Banding Project, scheduled for April 18th through the 22nd at Baldwin County’s historic Fort Morgan.

Reviving the popular public bird banding events originally championed by the late Bob Sargent and his wife, Martha, this project provides a scientifically invaluable look at spring migrants traveling through the Coastal Alabama section of the Mississippi Flyway—one of the four major routes North American birds travel on their way to and from their summer breeding grounds. Throughout the week, the public will enjoy unparalleled access both to researchers and to the birds, with opportunities to discuss the science behind the surveys and the important conservation work happening on the Gulf Coast. They’ll also get up-close-and-personal looks at some amazing migratory birds!

The banding station will open for the public on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 18th, and stay open until Saturday morning, April 22nd. Participants should bring their own water, bug spray, sunscreen, and perhaps an outdoor chair; restrooms and concessions are available next to the ferry. All ages are welcome to attend!

(Please note that while the Coastal Alabama Bird Banding Project is free, there is an admission fee to enter the park. For up-to-date pricing, visit http://www.fort-morgan.org/plan-visit/.)

Participating researchers:

Eric Soehren, Ecologist, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

A graduate of Jacksonville State University with both undergraduate and master’s degrees in Biology, Eric has been a zoologist with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s State Lands Division since 1997. He currently manages the Wehle Land Conservation Center (WLCC), where he administers the Avian Conservation Center, which works to develop and coordinate bird research and monitoring programs. Eric is actively involved with several conservation organizations including the Alabama Ornithological Society, Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, and the Inland Bird Banding Association.

Dr. Scott Rush, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Mississippi State.

An assistant professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture at Mississippi State, Scott received his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in 2009. While his graduate research focused on properties of northern Gulf tidal-marsh ecosystems, he and his graduate students currently work on developing novel approaches to understand landscape/trophic ecologies and wildlife populations.

To find out more about this special event, email the Program Director.