Bird Banding with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Fall Bird Banding with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

From August 30 through October 4, I attended 4 bird banding sessions with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies! Each spring and fall, Bird Conservancy sets up stations at various places, including Pine Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins, Barr Lake State Park in Brighton, and Chico Basin Ranch in Peyton (among others). These locations tend to be “hot spots” for bird activity due to their location and resources along bird migration routes. I know there are a lot of photos, but I hope you’ll look through them to see the process of banding, some beautiful birds in hand, and think about any questions you have about the process. Please reach out if you want more information or have any questions!

Early morning start to get to the banding station

Checking the age of the bird (looking at skull ossification)

Checking for fat reserves (have to blow on the bird to lift feathers)

Final step after banding- weigh the bird

Blue-gray gnatcatcher in the parking lot for the banding station!

Learning about the different leg band sizes

Meredith's delight at holding a Sharp-shinned Hawk

Wilson's Warbler (lots of these caught at the banding station at Barr Lake!)

A Spotted Towhee & House Wren at Barr Lake