THE BLUE RIDGE BIRD OBSERVER: September 2025
The Big Bald Banding Station, located on the North Carolina-Tennessee border in Cherokee National Forest along the Appalachian Trail Corridor, is Blue Ridge Bird Observatory’s most productive research site. Avian banding began here in 1978 with Dr. George and Cleo Mayfield, leading to the establishment of the current station, operated by BRBO for the past […]
BLUE RIDGE BIRD OBSERVER: June 2025
HOT SPRINGSBANDING STATIONVISITOR DAYS June 22ndJuly 5thJuly 26thRVSP HERE BANDING STATION UPDATES Our MAPS stations at Hot Springs, Highlands, and Big Bald are off to a strong start for the 2025 season. At Hot Springs, we’ve already banded 18 species, including Northern Cardinals, Indigo Buntings, Yellow-Breasted Chat, and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Notable recaptures include multiple […]
BLUE RIDGE BIRD OBSERVER: May 2025
HOT SPRINGS CELEBRATES NEW BANDING STATION On Friday, April 11th, the Madison County birding community came together for an evening of avian appreciation and trivia to commemorate the official debut of the Blue Ridge Bird Observatory’s Hot Springs Banding Station. The establishment of this new station in Hot Springs marks the first step in BRBO’s […]
FIND YOUR BIRD FOCUS THIS SUMMER AT BIG BALD MOUNTAIN VACATION BIRD SCHOOL
Southern Appalachian Raptor Research will offer the Big Bald Mountain Vacation Bird School (VBS) July 6 – 10, 2015. All rising 5th-7th graders who love birds, wildlife and fun outdoors are encouraged to join VBS! This is the fifth season that students will explore the Big Bald Mountain habitat to learn the birds of the southern Appalachians. VBS is […]
MAPS Program
Southern Appalachian Raptor Research operates three MAPS stations throughout western North Carolina. MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) is a nationwide program coordinated by the Institute for Bird Populations to monitor productivity, survivorship, and population trends of breeding birds throughout North America. View our MAPS page for details about the program and how volunteers can […]
