I began the day at the annual Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival. The 7am bird walk included bird watching and hawk watching friends that I have scarcely seen since last Fall.
Among the many wildlife booths and displays was the bird banding demonstration by the wildlife biologists from Vermont Center for Ecostudies. With nets up early, and birds busy moving, there were good teaching opportunities on bird biology.
A Yellow-rumped Warbler is carefully removed from the mist net
 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
It is none the worse for being netted, measured, weighed, and banded ...
 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
... does seem to have a negative opinion about the whole experience.
 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler |
Experienced hands delicately untangle a White-throated Sparrow weighing only a few ounces.
 |
| White-throated Sparrow |
Data is carefully recorded and the numbered band fitted on the leg.
 |
| White-throated Sparrow |
The banding demonstration at Herricks Cove Wildlife Festival gives many people their first upclose and personal look at birds.
 |
| White-throated Sparrow |
Once again, the opinion of the birds is sometimes not as positive as the wonder in a child's eye when seeing the bird, even though the bird has received a piece of jewelry that it can keep for a lifetime. There is no harm to the Gray Catbird, though it is trying to bite the hand that holds it.
 |
| Gray Catbird |
One catbird caught this morning had already been banded, possibly at last year's Wildlife Festival. Such a record helps biologists understand the life of birds.
Good birding!
2 comments:
Interesting, Chris! This line made me chuckle: "Once again, the opinion of the birds is sometimes not as positive as the wonder in a child's eye when seeing the bird, even though the bird has received a piece of jewelry that it can keep for a lifetime." :-)
Great post. How very important for the birds to be able to be tracked and studied. You did a great job it justifying it.
Post a Comment