MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) is an international program coordinated by the Institute for Bird Populations to monitor the status of population trends in breeding birds throughout North America. Over 500 MAPS stations from North, Central and South America contribute data annually to the Institute for Bird Populations database.
Blue Ridge Bird Observatory (BRBO) operates four MAPS stations – Big Bald Banding Station on the Cherokee National Forest in Yancey County, NC; Cowee Mound and Highlands MAPS in Macon County, NC and Kituah Mound in Swain County, NC. Support for MAPS stations are funded through grants from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Cherokee Natural Resources Program and Highlands Biological Foundation.
MAPS samples are conducted approximately once every ten days, from sunrise to noon, during the late spring and early summer. Volunteers and visitors are welcome to attend and contribute in any way possible, no matter their experience level. Visitors or helpers can arrive at any time during the sample morning and can participate for any length of time. Please check the BRBO website calendar for the 2021 MAPS schedule. The schedule may change due to weather considerations. Groups desiring a formal education visit during MAPS are encouraged and welcome! Please contact BRBO via email to arrange a date and program.
To view annual 2020 MAPS species list data from any BRBO MAPS station click on the links below.
- BIG BALD MAPS 2020 Data
- COWEE MOUNDS MAPS 2020 Data
- KITUAH MOUND MAPS 2020 Data
- HIGHLANDS MAPS 2020 Data
To view charts of annual totals of capture and recapture for MAPS stations past and present, click on the images…
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- KITUAH MOUND MAPS
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- BIG BALD MAPS
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- COWEE MOUND MAPS
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- WELCH FARM
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- TESSENTEE
Blue ridge bird observatory 