Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park & Banding Station Field Trip
September 20, 2025 • Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park • Story and Photos by Ana Lima
On September 20, PhoebesBirding members had the incredible opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Cape Florida Bird Banding Station during peak fall migration!
Guided by our amazing field trip leader Miriam Avello, and welcomed by bander-in-charge Steffanie Mungia and the dedicated volunteers who keep the station running, we learned firsthand about the science of bird banding and the fascinating stories revealed by more than two decades of data.
From identifying and carefully measuring migrating songbirds, to watching them banded and released back into the tropical hardwood hammock at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, we gained a whole new appreciation for the vital role this site plays as a stopover for thousands of birds on their incredible journeys.
Highlights included learning about population trends (Black-throated Blue Warblers on the rise), discovering which migrants are most common in Miami, and hearing about birds recaptured in other states countries — proof of the global connections revealed through banding!
Huge thanks to Miriam, Steffanie, and the entire team of volunteers for sharing their expertise and passion with us, and for all they do to help us understand and protect migrating birds.
The Phoebes left inspired — and reminded of the power of science, community, and conservation.
All birds were handled by trained volunteers as part of a permitted research project.
