South Florida Bird Observatory Inc

A large percentage of the songbird species that breed in North America fly to the Caribbean islands, Central America and South America to spend the winter months. Birds migrating to or from the islands generally use the Atlantic Flyway and funnel down the east coast of Florida, stopping at sites such as Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to refuel. The restored native vegetation in the Park provides ample insects and fruit for the birds to eat in order to put on fat deposits for the next leg of their journey, the overwater crossing to the Caribbean islands or the northern coast of South America. This habitat also provides refuge for hundreds of migrating birds of all types that may be forced to land due to bad weather.   

Since 2002 the Cape Florida Banding Station (CFBS) has spearheaded efforts to monitor migratory birds – many of which are imperiled – in our region. Citizen science monitoring programs remain one of the most effective tools to address conservation education in our communities and raise awareness about the protection of wildlife corridors. CFBS is strategically located in one of the state’s most valuable Important Bird Areas (IBA) for migratory birds, and is one of the longest running citizen science programs of its kind in this area, supplying crucial data that continues to inform the public and our leaders for nearly two decades. As of Spring 2026, over 50,000 birds have been banded by CFBS and over 75 volunteers have received intensive training in mistnetting protocols and bird identification.