Project Results

Fall 2018 was a slow but exciting migration season on Monomoy. Although the capture rates were lower than previous years, we banded four new species - Black-billed Cuckoo, Connecticut Warbler, Kentucky Warbler and Common Redpoll - and observed strong waves of Common Yellowthroats, Red-breasted Nuthatches and sparrows. Our 2018 report details the project and protocols and provides a full picture of the birds banded and observed this fall on Monomoy.

About This Project

With the cooperation of US Fish and Wildlife and Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Monomoy Bird Observatory monitors the fall migration passage of millions of songbirds, shorebirds, seabirds and ducks that depend on the refuge to rest and refuel.

Employing standardized protocols for constant-effort banding and visual counts, we collect data to support informed management and conservation on the Refuge and across Cape Cod.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Out on the edge of the continent where the North Atlantic meets the Gulf Current, Monomoy is a perfect haven for breeding and migrating birds. Beyond valuable breeding grounds, it provides key stopover and refueling opportunities for millions of migrating shorebirds, seabirds, ducks and songbirds each year.

Migration is the most dangerous part of a birds life. Traveling long distances across unfamiliar areas exposed to predators and rough weather leads to a mortality rate over ten times higher than other periods of a bird's year.

Our research documents the birds using Monomoy during migration and staging. The data collected is used to make management decisions that will benefit the birds during this stressful stage.

What is the significance of this project?

Coastal habitats in the Northeastern United States are among the most impacted habitats in North America, with only a fraction remaining in a natural state.

Monomoy NWR is the only coastal Wilderness Area in Southern New England. Encompassing dunes, beaches, intertidal, saltmarsh, freshwater ponds and tidal rips, it hosts a 10,000+ Common Tern colony and significant breeding colonies of Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers.

Quality habitat also makes it a key staging site for migrating birds. The ponds and trees around the lighthouse attract rare songbirds, including Bobolink, Lark Sparrow and Western vagrants.

Without the banding station, these species would be otherwise undocumented, as this project is the only organized effort to monitor migrating birds on Monomoy.

What are the goals of the project?

Our goal is to accurately document the diversity of migrating birds on the refuge so we can better manage the habitat to their benefit. It is also vital to share this knowledge with the public and make them aware of this unique birding haven.

From Aug 15 to Oct 31, we band each morning, then conduct a visual survey at one of three sites in the afternoon. We document the age/sex and condition of each bird banded, and our study design allows us to measure inter-annual changes in species diversity and abundance.

Visual surveys account for species that we do not band. They are conducted alternately at Lighthouse Beach for seaducks and seabirds, Powder Hole for shorebirds and terns, and Big Station for marsh ducks. Shared on eBird, these counts provide valuable data on key species.