Archive for the ‘Banding’ Category

CAPE MAY, NJ RAPTOR BANDING - 2007

Robert & Kay Lookingbill

In 2005, we were invited by William (Bill) S. Clark to participate in the Cape May Raptor Banding Project. Each fall since 1967, volunteers work at established stations (or blinds), with fixed traps, to catch and band raptors in Cape May Point, NJ. Our first participation in the project was October, 2005, when we spent two weeks trapping raptors. We spent the first week with Bill, learning how to operate the various traps, and learning the process and procedures required by the project protocol. The second week we were assigned our own blind, and trapped raptors on our own. During that week, we trapped and banded 69 raptors of 5 species. The number and variety of raptors trapped each week is dependent on weather conditions (west winds are most favorable), blind assignment (location and habitat varies with each), and the migration timing for each species, as well as the skill of the blind operators.

We returned in October, 2006, for one week of raptor banding, during which time we trapped and banded 76 raptors, of 4 different species.

We returned once again in October, 2007 for two weeks. We were assigned to work in the Pond Creek (PC) blind during the week of Sept. 30 - Oct. 6, 2007, and the Mag Site (MS) blind during the week of Oct. 7 - Oct. 13, 2007. We banded 172 raptors of 7 different species.

A summary of the raptors caught during each of these weeks in 2007 is shown in Table 1. Abbreviations used in this document are as follows: SSHA (Sharp-Shinned Hawk), COHA (Cooper’s Hawk), RTHA (Red-Tailed Hawk), AMKE (American Kestrel) , MERL (Merlin), PEFA (Peregrine Falcon), NOHA (Northern Harrier).

Table 1 - Raptors Banded at Cape May Point, NJ, in 2007

One of the highlights of the banding experience in 2007 was catching our first Peregrine Falcon. The speed and aerobatics of these birds is truly awesome to watch. There were days when as many as 5 PEFA were swooping on our lures simultaneously, literally feet away from where we were seated. We were able to catch and band 18 PEFA during the two weeks were there. All of them were juvenile (HY) birds. A photo is shown in Fig. 1.

Another highlight was that we were able to trap and band 22 NOHA, including 10 in a single day. All of these birds were banded during the second week, where the blind overlooks a large marsh area. A photo of a NOHA is shown in Fig. 2.

We’ve also included a few other photos of some of the raptors we banded. We hope you enjoy viewing them as much as we did catching the birds.

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The Texas Bird Banding Team bands birds for research and educational purposes in cooperation with state and private conservation organizations, and landowners which include Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, the Purple Martin Conservation Association, Dan & Cathy Brown’s HUMMER HOUSE, and the Land of Ortego - Zalk . Most bird banding has occurred under federal and state permits held by Dr. Ross Dawkins and Dr. Terry Maxwell from Angelo State University in Texas. Active banders within the Team currently are Shawn Ashbaugh, John Barrow, Susan Beree, Charlie Brower, Chet Couvillon, Ross, Debra & Paul Dawkins, Charles Floyd, Jerry and Graham Gips, Brad Lirette, Robert & Kay Lookingbill, Brent Ortego, Warren Pruess, Jim Renfro, Jr., Bron Rorex, Suzie Ross, Lyndon Schatz, Delbert Tarter, David Tarver, Clay White, Gail Williams and Craig Zalk.

A list of the birds banded by the team is provided below.

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The Texas Ornithological Society held its fall meeting in SE Texas and birders were treated to a bird banding demonstration at Sabine Woods. About 2 dozen birders were shown 33 species and 160 individuals in the hand.

James, Austin and Christian Walker assisted Brent Ortego in catching and banding birds during 29-30 September 2007. The list of banded birds is presented below and photos of some of the birds can be found at http://www.ortegobirds.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=7

SSHA 2

RTHU 69

EAWP 2

YBFL 6

TRFL 1

ACFL 1

LEFL 3

GCFL 1

WEV1 15

REVI 1

BLJA 1

HOWR 1

BGGN 3

SWTH 1

WOTH 1

GRCA 5

BWWA 1

NOPA 1

NAWA 1

TEWA 1

CSWA 1

MAWA 2

AMRE 7

BAWW 2

OVEN 2

NOWA 1

COYE 12

HOWA 1

WIWA 8

CAWA 1

YBCH 4

NOCA 5

PABU 1

TOTAL 164

SPECIES 33

Banding is a research tool used to determine distribution, longevity, site fidelity, survivorship and mortality of individuals and populations of birds. This tool is used frequently by members of our team and avian researchers throughout the world. Additional information about national banding programs can be found at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/. Listed below are birds that were banded or recovered by The Texas Banding Team and found or banded elsewhere.

If you find a bird with a band, it can be reported at http://www.reportband.gov/ or 1-800-327-2263.

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A new wave of hummers arrived today and fall migration is well underway for many species during this early September day of 2007. I occasionally have birders stop by to check on things.

I met an old man today. I have known him since he was in his prime. I was checking my log at the Land of Ortego - Zalk and over the past 11 years he has stopped by 36 times; usually in the fall and occasionally making an appearance during winter. I guess you could call him a winter Texan. We have had many conversations and occasionally would share a drink, usually something sweet.

I have never seen him drive a car. He just shows up and I can usually hear him fussing about something in the yard. He doesn’t seem to have any possessions, but that does not seem to bother him. He is a spunky old guy and just seems to live for the day. I have been worrying about his health the last 3 years. He seems to be paler each time we meet. I was really worried about him during the winter with the deep snows around Christmas. I did not see him for a month and I was expecting the worst. However, he showed up again in February and said good bye for his spring trip. I have never did figured out where his summer home is.

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IT WAS ESPECIALLY EXCITING SEEING MY OLD FRIEND THIS AFTERNOON. SINCE I BANDED THIS BUFH AS AN ADULT IN NOVEMBER 1997

The Texas Coastal Banding Team

2005 Review

Welcome to the Texas Coastal Banding Team, a Unit of The Texas Banding Team. We are a group of volunteers and professionals studying birds via bird banding. We conduct research at specific banding stations on a regular basis, intermittent sampling of historic research sites, and investigations of avian fauna at selected habitats. We additionally assist with research of others as appropriate and provide educational bird banding demonstrations as needed.

Our Team is comprised of Brent and Sue Ortego near Raisin, John Barrow at Corpus Christi, Susan Beree at Rockport, Charlie and Olivia Brower at West Columbia, Chet Couvillon at San Antonio, Robert and Kay Lookingbill at Lake Jackson, Bron Rorex at Rockport, Lyndon Schatz at Victoria, Glen Swartz at Calallen, Jeff Webster at Corpus Christi, and Craig Zalk at Sugarland. We all work under Master Permittee Ross Dawkins.

This Review will contain a series of reports by individual banders.

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Banding results from 2006.

BIRDS BANDED ON PERMITS #9866 and #22280 by:

• Terry Maxwell,
• Brent Ortego,
• Delbert Tarter,
• Ross Dawkins,
• and Subpermittees

1977 through 2006

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