The Creamer’s Field Migration Station (CFMS) is a long-term project designed to study songbird migration and productivity in the boreal forest over time. The station was established in 1992 by Tom Pogson, and resulted in the founding of the Alaska Bird Observatory (1992-2012). The project was adopted by the Alaska Songbird Institute in 2013.
Each spring and fall birds are captured in mist nets at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Each bird is measured, weighed, aged, and sexed, then fitted with a small aluminum band. The goal remains to track migratory songbird populations and to provide educational opportunities for the local community and visitors.
Since 1992, CFMS has captured and banded more than 100,000 birds. Hundreds of volunteers have checked mist nets, retrieved birds, and recorded data. Tens of thousands of students, teachers, Alaskans, and tourists have visited to learn about songbird ecology, migration, and conservation.
Today, CFMS continues to be a community effort. 2016 marks its 25th consecutive field season. Thank you to all that have supported and participated in the banding station over the years. You are on the front lines of bird conservation in Alaska!
Celebrate 25 years of Alaska bird conservation!
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 6 PM: Volunteer Orientation at the Creamer’s Farmhouse Visitor Center. Have you always wanted to learn how to check mist nets and retrieve birds? Record data? Or just learn more about Alaska’s birds with a fun group of people? This is your chance! Learn how to become a volunteer.
Free Guided Walks Every Tues & Thurs in Aug: Join ASI staff for a guided walk to the banding station. Meet at the Creamer’s Farmhouse Visitor Center at 10 AM. Kids of all ages are always welcome!
SUNDAY AUGUST 28: ASI’s annual Bird Banding Breakfast during the Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival. Have breakfast among the birds at the banding station, help check mist nets, and release banded birds. This is a family-friendly event. More information, including tickets, will be available on our website soon.
SUNDAY AUGUST 28: ASI Science Talk 25 years and counting….what have we learned? Join ASI Science Director, April Harding Scurr, for a short talk on research at the banding station, and what 25 years of mist netting on Creamer’s Refuge has taught us. Part of the Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival. Details to come.
Get your own Creamer’s Field Migration Station gear! Order a T-shirt, sweatshirt, tote bag or mug commemorating CFMS’s 25th anniversary field season. All gear features the fabulous design above, created by George West at Birchside Studios, and all proceeds support the banding station. Follow this link to order.
Come visit!
The banding station is great place to bring family and friends of all ages. We love visitors! Meet ASI scientists. Join our volunteers on a net run. You may even get a chance to release a banded bird! Don’t forget to check our schedule for dates, times, and other important details.