Bird Banding @ Braddock Bay Bird Observatory
On Sunday, May 17, I journeyed back to the Ontario lakeshore to meet my friend, former colleague, and fellow blogger (Feather and Flower), Mike Powers at the Kaiser-Manitou Beach Banding Station owned by the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory. It was a chilly but sunny morning and warblers were plenty. Mike brought his little daughter along so we spent some time observing the banding operation. This allowed me to see several birds up close and in the hand.
Click any image to embiggen (etymological credit goes to New Dharma Bums).
*****
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- The beauty of this Mourning Warbler was startling.
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- Gray is the new black on this Mourning Warbler.
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- Banders keep meticulous records of each bird they band so they can compile migration and survivorship information.
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- Banders check the nets at least every 30 minutes.
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- Mike’s daughter was allowed to set this little hummer free! The volunteers know their PR skills…
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- Nets are checked every 30 minutes or less. This brilliantly colored Magnolia Warbler hung limp, but was alive & well, just conserving energy.
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- A Magnolia Warbler being extracted from the net
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- The banders take measurements on weight, size, and other dimensions and record them in each bird’s dossier.
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- It took great patience and skill to extract this female American Redstart from the net
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- Come ON, would you hurry up already? The last guy who banded me was WAY faster than you.
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- Wilson’s Warbler, rather cold from the lakeshore winds
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- POP goes the weasel on this Mourning Warbler
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- I-LOVE-this bird! Wilson’s Warbler. Can I count it as a lifer? Naw…shucks.
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- A banded female American Redstart
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- This Black-throated Blue Warbler sang nicely and flitted about the tangle at Island Cottage Woods
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- My first of year Eastern Pewee, also at Island Cottage Woods
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- This killdeer nested in the parking lot of Island Cottage Woods and was not happy with our arrival.
*****
It’s funny. You’d think it would be a cinch to ID a semi-familiar bird when it’s held only three feet in front of you. But as Mike and I agreed, without the habitat context it’s strangely difficult. As you know, our field identifications rely on more than the way a bird looks; they rely on habitat, behavior, sound, and what we’ve come to expect about seasonality. But for a reason I cannot explain, it seems that a bird even LOOKS different up close.
It struck me that I could have shaved ten years off my bird-ID learning curve if I’d just spent one summer as a volunteer bander or worked in the avian archives of a natural history museum. There’s an idea for you!
After banding station, we headed over to Island Cottage Woods, just west of Rochester, NY by the lake, hoping for some warbler fallout. Our stay was short-but-sweet, as we observed several good birds, including Blackpoll Warbler, a singing Black-throated Blue Warbler, and my first-of-year Eastern Pewee and a sassy Great-crested Flycatcher.
I’m sure Mike will be blogging our little outing from his perspective soon so be sure to head over to his blog to check it out.
I haven’t seen a Mourning Warbler in years. They used to be regular in the spring in Missouri but they’re very uncommon in North Carolina. It’s too bad, they’re absolutely stunning.
Nate,
I can’t wait to see one in the field. I’ve found a new target bird.
Laura
Great photo-recounting of the morning, I’ll have to dig through my photos to see what I can blog about. I’m trying to “collaborate” rather than “compete” with your post!
Oh, and thanks for the plug . . . now I have to write something. That may get me in gear to catch up on posting!
Mourning Warblers: they are around but often go undetected, as all birders know by that gap in the life list, year list, or whatever list left by the skulkers. There has been a reliable spot on the Auburn Trail, conveniently five minutes from my folk’s place. Next time I’m up I’ll invite you over if it’s still present!
-Mike
I really need to take part in some bird banding…I have been around and watched the process and find it very interesting..but like you said, I could probably learn allot very quickly.
I would love to see a Mourning warbler.
hee hee I love the cap on the wilsons!
Laura: Love the photos, and of course, your writing. Come back to OH and visit us sometime. Su
Su,
OMG, it’s good to hear from you. And yes, I’ll be back to Ohio soon!
See you at Midwest Birding Symposium, I hope.
Laura
Laura: I’m helping out at the MBS–it’ll be great to see you. Su
More than great!
I’m laughing with you already!