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 […]