The study area is comprised of a series of coastal hammocks on shell middens and remnant river levies in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Moss Point, MS (Lat. 30.425; Long. 88.529). These hammocks range in size from 0.03 to 22.10ha and occur at various distances from the mainland. Dominated by Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) and Slash Pine (Pinus elliotti) with a diverse shrub layer, and surrounded by low, mid-level, and high marsh (Juncus roemerianus, Spartina alterniflora, and Distichlis spicata), this hammock system represents an ideal setting in which to examine the stopover biology of passerine migrants along an ecological barrier, the Gulf of Mexico.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

This site has been in operation since 2004. We conduct avian surveys on six of the islands, run a banding station on one island (Ford’s Island), and have experimental aviaries set up on another island. Ford’s Island is comprised of three basic habitat types: oak, pine, and pine savannah. We have approximately 22 mist-nets set up in the pine and pine savannah habitats. From September-October, 2004, we banded 1,213 birds of 67 species (0.35 birds/net hour).

Click here for a table of all birds banded at the Grand Bay NERR station in the fall of 2004.