Cape May Raptor Banding Project

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Cape May Raptor Banding Project

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A volunteer non-profit organization supporting raptor conservation and scientific study since 1967. CapeMayRaptors.org Bird Banding Laboratory.

All raptors shown are handled with care and appropriate permits. Raptor banding stations have been in operation every year in Cape May, New Jersey since 1967 to survey migrating raptors. This research helps to determine population increases or decreases, as well as species movements. In 1999 we incorporated as the Cape May Raptor Banding Project, Inc. (CMRBP), a 501c3 non‐profit organization run entirely by volunteers. As of 2017 the project has captured over 150,000 diurnal raptors of 17 species during fall migration in the months of September, October and November. This makes CMRBP the largest raptor banding project in North America and one of the largest in the world. All the birds that are trapped are banded and recorded then released safely and unharmed. The banding records are collected by the U.S.G.S.

10/14/2026

Our first bird this morning was a second year female peregrine falcon!

Can you see the different colors in her feathers? This is due to her molt into adult plumage. She will keep the slate gray feathers. Peregrines typically finish their molt into adult plumage by 13 months.

We wish her well on her journey and hope to see her again!!

*All birds handled with proper permits.*

10/10/2026

The group at our 11:30am program today were greeted with a special guest, a Broad Wing Hawk!!!

We do not often see Broad Wings come down from riding thermals, they are usually so focused on their long migration to Central and South America, but today one graced us with its presence.

*All birds handled with proper state and federal permits as well as the utmost care and respect*

10/05/2026

Interested in learning more about our Raptor Banding Project in Cape May?

Join us for our public demonstrations on

Saturdays 10am at State Point Park East Pavillion and 11:30am at the Nature Conservancy entrance
&
Sundays 10am at State Point Park East Pavillion

Demos happen every weekend until Oct. 26th

Live raptors are shown for educational purposes when we are able to and are released on site.

**All birds are handled with proper state and federal permits.

Thank you to Faith for the wonderful photos! Faith Brennan

09/27/2026

Do you love Raptors as much as we do?? New shirts, sweatshirts, and hats are available at Bonfire.com/cape-may-raptor-banding-project-2/

As a volunteer run, non-profit we appreciate every sale, donation, and share of our information that you give us.

Thank you to all our volunteers, supporters, and followers, we couldn't do it without you!

09/26/2026

Our Technician Jessika was over the moon for the first Peregrine Falcon of the season!

Did you know that Peregrine Falcons are the fastest animals on the earth?? They can reach speeds of 200 mph when entering a hunting dive.

They were also almost eradicated in the Eastern US due to DDT use in the mid-20th century, but thanks to conservation efforts their population has since rebounded.

If the Peregrine Falcon is your favorite raptor, drop a 🪶 in the comments!!

*all raptors handled with proper state and federal permits*

09/09/2026

Welcome to our 2026 research technician, Jessika!

Jessika is a southern New Jersey native with a passion for wildlife biology and conservation. She began her wildlife conservation work in 2023 and has since worked for multiple National Park sites and refuges. She was most recently at Cape Lookout National Seashore monitoring sea turtles and shorebirds. She has also banded Greater Sage Grouse in Nevada as well as assisting on multiple songbird banding projects. Jessika's main interest is in working with avian species and she is excited to expand her experience to include raptors.

06/09/2026

Job Announcement: Research Technician for Fall 2026

The Cape May Raptor Banding Project offers a unique opportunity for aspiring professionals in wildlife biology or related fields to gain valuable experience in all aspects of banding raptors during the fall migration. The Research Technician appointment runs from early September through the end of November. The selected candidate receives a stipend for their time and work experience that helps build an impressive resume. Responsibilities include: setting up banding stations including placement and installation of traps; providing public demonstrations; repair and upkeep of equipment; data collection and reporting; handling and banding raptors; assisting other cooperating researchers as necessary.

For 2026, we are specifically seeking a technician with roots in the Cape May area. We do this with the goal of returning something to the community of Cape May. Thus, we require applicants to live within commuting distance of our operation in Cape May Point or have housing of their own in the area.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology or related field (or the expectation of the degree by the time of the appointment);

• Ability to work closely with banders and researchers;

• Willingness to work long hours including weekends in a variety of field conditions;

• Ability to communicate effectively;

• Attention to detail and the ability to work independently;

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. in a variety of outdoor conditions and over uneven terrain;

• Although not a requirement, previous experience with bird banding, handling live birds and public speaking is preferred.

Resumes are accepted through July 10. A selection will be made in July. To apply; submit a cover letter, resume and three references combined into one document (Word or PDF is acceptable) to [email protected]. Please use the following naming convention for your file: LastName_FirstName.

*All birds handled with care and appropriate permits.

11/14/2025

For the second time in Project history (remember we’ve been going since 1967), CMRBP banded an ADULT Bald Eagle! Of nineteen Bald Eagles banded by our project, sixteen have been hatch year, one second year, and two adults.

The banders noted the eagle had a few generations of adult feathers but the oldest an unbanded Bald Eagle can be definitively aged as is after forth year (with birds older than four having a completely white head and tail). The bird was a healthy weight and in good overall condition.

We hope someone in the future will see the bird, note the band number, and report its location online to the Bird Banding Laboratory to help increase our understanding of raptor movement, age, and other metrics.

Special thanks to long-time Project alumni Alec Humann and Jeff Ott for catching and banding the bird.

*All birds handled with care and proper state and federal permits.

Photo 1: Alec showing off half of the eagles impressive wingspan (which reaches six feet in all).
Photo 2: Alec holding the eagle in a secure grip with its wings closed.
Photo 3: The eagle’s impressive talons held securely.
Photo 4: The eagle flying off immediately post release. Photo by Paul Guris.

05/20/2025

URGENT NEWS

As part of the effort to find efficiencies in the Federal Government, the current proposed fiscal year 2026 budget bill before Congress has called for defunding the USGS Ecosystems Mission Areas, with the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) under the Eastern Ecosystem Mission Area. The goal would then be to source out those research functions to universities under a competitive process. This Congressional action, if enacted in current form, will affect our 50+ years of data and research activities, and could eliminate the BBL, operating since 1920, and shut down all permitted banding activities throughout the US and into Canada.

We believe in and support the BBL and ask that you join the virtual rally, link below, on May 22, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT, to help push for the continued funding of the BBL and the USGS Ecosystems Mission Areas. We also encourage you to contact your government officials and elected representatives in Congress to advocate for the BBL.

Thank you for the support!

https://www.mobilize.us/nwf/event/790009/:

12/03/2024

Today is the day! We know many different organizations will be asking for donations today, but we hope you might consider our volunteer run non-profit as we can’t do what we do without your help. CapeMayRaptors.org/Donate

This past season alone we banded 1,436 raptors which means we have banded over 160,000 birds of prey since 1967! In 2024 we reached over 700 members of the public—kids and adults—through our educational demos, and we collaborated on eight different research projects with more on the horizon.

If you are able to donate know you would be funding the likes of hiring a research technician to learn valuable raptor research skills and perform our popular educational outreach programs. We rely on the generosity of the public to help offset the costs that otherwise fall to our volunteer banders. Any amount helps and donations are accepted anytime on our website (CapeMayRaptors.org) through Venmo () and PayPal. Thank you for your donations!

Also, please consider sharing this post with others via your stories or a re-post to help spread the word. Thank you!

*All birds handled with care and appropriate state and federal permits.

Photo: The top half of a Merlin facing the viewer with a black background and the Giving Tuesday red heart graphic to the left with “Giving Tuesday” written in blue below on a white slightly see-through rectangle.

Address

Cape May Point, NJ

Website

http://www.capemayraptors.org/

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