Sunday, 18 May 2008 @ 9.19 PM
Bird Banding 101
Today Sarah and I went out early to Springbrook Nature Center to try and see some of the migrating Warblers. We had decent luck seeing a number of different birds yesterday, so we were hoping for more of the same today (and getting an earlier start does not hurt, either).
Right away, we saw an American Redstart and a Piliated Woodpecker. The Woodpecker was going to town near the base of a dead tree, which inconveniently happened to be behind a lot of other trees, so I could not get any photos of him.
A Brown Thrasher spotted in one of the trees off the main trail.
We kept going and saw some Geese, a few Warblers, some Robins, and a a Grackle. We also ran into 3 ladies who happened to also be birding, so the 5 of us just started walking the trails together and saw a Magnolia Warbler, a Nashville Warbler, a Yellow Rumped Warbler, a Red-Winged Blackbird female, a number of American Redstarts, a Gray Catbird, a Red Tailed Hawk, an American Crow, an Eastern Kingbird, some Tree Swallows, a Song Sparrow, a Rose Breasted Grosbeak, a Yellow Warbler, a Brown Thrasher, a Brown Headed Cowbird, and a Baltimore Oriole.
Then things got interesting.
A Blue-Winged Warbler is carefully and slowly removed from the netting after being caught a few minutes earlier.
We came across a couple of people carrying nets. As it turns out, they were doing banding in the park all morning, and they were now collecting the final round of captures for the day. We all anxiously tagged along and even got to help collect the birds and return to the center with them.
A Yellow Warbler is grateful for being removed from the netting.
The Blue-Winged Warbler after being removed from the net. Whew!!!!!
Upon arriving at the Nature Center building, the birds were then checked for bugs, weighed, examined, and identified by a few people. They were banded, and then released back into the park.
A Wilson's Warbler that was caught, banded, and released today.
I love the detail I was able to capture in his face.
Sarah got to release the Black and White Warbler after it was banded. Her first release ever! For my first release, I got to release a Lincoln's Sparrow. Sure, the bird was not a glamor bird or anything, but it was still really cool. Maybe next time, and if I do not mind being chewed on, I will see if I can release a Blue Jay! :)
Magnolia Warbler.
Now had I known that there was a bird banding and release this morning, I would have come prepared. I had entirely the wrong lens setup for shooting birds up close. Next time, I go with the macro and the portrait lenses. Heck, I will probably bring the flashes too. Whatever fits into the bag that I think I might need during the event.
Yes, I am bringing sexy back.
The following is the species list for not only the birds seen in the park while we were on our hike, but for the birds banded while we were present. Apparently, we missed a few before we showed up. Bummer!
American Redstart
Piliated Woodpecker
American Robin
Common Grackle
Magnolia Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Red-Winged Blackbird
Mallard
Blue Jay
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Gray Catbird
Red Tailed Hawk
American Crow
Eastern Kingbird
Tree Swallow
Song Sparrow
Rose Breasted Grosbeak
Yellow Warbler
Brown Thrasher
Brown Headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Black and White Warlber
Wilson's Warbler
Least Flycatcher
Blue-Winged Warlber
Black-Capped Chickadee
White-Crowned Sparrow
Lincoln Sparrow
Palm Warbler
Gray-Cheeked Thrush
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Great Egret
What???? You mean I can finally leave? SWEEEEEEET!
Oh BAI!
These photos are really fabulous! Thanks, I feel like it is better than being there. BEAUTIFUL