Braddock Bay Bird Observatory is dedicated to ornithological research, education and conservation. Each year, we band and release thousands of songbirds in an effort to document and understand how they behave during migration.

BBBO is located just west of Rochester on the shore of Lake Ontario. This area is a focal point of bird activity, especially during spring and fall migration when it is possible to see over 130 species of songbirds. Migrating birds use the lakeshore as a stopover site - as a place to rest and refuel.

Suitable stopover sites are critical in the life-cycle of birds, as a lack of adequate resources along the journey may contribute to declining populations. BBBO's scientific program is aimed at understanding how birds use stopover sites, so that we can then focus our conservation efforts on preserving appropriate sites.

BBBO also believes that education must be part of any conservation effort. Every day during the banding season, we open our doors to the public. In 2016 we had more than 900 visitors from 16 states and three foreign countries. We hosted groups from nine local colleges and universities; one high school and two home school associations; and six book clubs, boy scout troops, and other groups. We participated in educational events including Spring into Nature at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Imagine RIT, "Surviving the Wild" at the Seneca Park Zoo, and the Birds of Prey Days at Braddock Bay Raptor Research.