California Brown Pelican Migration Tracking

A group of brown pelicans is resting on rocks, with info about tracking their migration by SMCHD.
The image showcases a researcher monitoring tagged pelicans via sensor stations that detect their radio signals automatically.
The image shows a bird being tracked for movement ecology studies, featuring an eBand for location detection.
The image shows brown pelicans at Pillar Point Harbor, aiding scientists in monitoring marine ecosystems and bird survival.
The image shows a pelican's leg with a solar-powered electronic band for tracking, ensuring it doesn't interfere with flying.

The San Mateo County Harbor District is proud to support local wildlife research! 

Did you know Pillar Point Harbor is a major gathering point for the California Brown Pelican? 🤎 Thousands of the birds use Pillar Point as a resting place during their long migrations between breeding and non‑breeding area.

As a major gathering point, it was the perfect location for the installation of a Coastal Sensor Station in support of the brown pelican data tag deployment project. The project tracks pelicans with highly sophisticated, lightweight, solar-powered electronic leg bands equipped with radio transmitters that don’t interfere with natural flight. As tagged pelicans fly near Coastal Sensor Stations, their unique radio signal is automatically detected and logged.

This is valuable data to help scientists study pelican flight patterns, track chick survival and improve rescue efforts for injured wildlife. 

By supporting important animal research, the San Mateo County Harbor District continues its mission of preserving our marine environment. ⚓︎