Bird Banding: Learning From Birds In-hand

If you are new to banding, read the About Bird Banding page. We have been banding Painted Buntings for five winter seasons (2013-2018) and banded at Possum Long in Stuart, FL since 2012. But life has changed for us. As of July, 2018 we are now based in Richland, WA and new projects are on the way. We are leaving old posts and pages in place as that information is still relevant and exciting. Let's see what we learn in this new chapter of banding.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

January 14, 2014

Well, today can only be described as quiet. It is obvious that some more winter birds have moved in but unfortunately they are flyovers or high in the trees. American Robins are around as are American Goldfinches. From contact with people who feed Painted Buntings (see new page with information on this project), they were late this year but numbers seem to be increasing. So, the winter doldrums have hit. The good news is that last year we had more captures starting in February!

Today we had one recapture of a Gray Catbird originally banded in December.

Gray Catbird

Photo by Bill Eaton

We were also visited by a species that does not typically frequent the property. A young Little Blue Heron patrolled the pond. The pond was very high with water over the new walkway bridge and covering all of the berms where we have been placing nets.