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
Pine Ridge natural area
The crew at the Pine Ridge station
Yellow-breasted chat in hand
What a hair-do!
Checking the age of the bird (looking at skull ossification)
Checking for fat reserves (have to blow on the bird to lift feathers)
Looking at the tail feathers
Final step after banding- weigh the bird
Now release the bird
Orange-crowned Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler (lifer!)
Gray Catbird
Blue-gray gnatcatcher in the parking lot for the banding station!
Barr Lake banding with Tuesday Birders
A Green-tailed Towhee!
Green-tailed Towhee
Learning about the different leg band sizes
Learning about the skull ossification
Showing us the banding process
Meredith's delight at holding a Sharp-shinned Hawk
Surprise of the morning!
Such a beautiful bird!
A surprise at the banding station!
Showing off the Hawk
Warbling Vireo
Wilson's Warbler (female)
Banding a male Wilson's Warbler
A fun surprise - a Red-eyed Vireo!
Stunning bird!
Spotted Towhee!
Lincoln's Sparrow!
Lincoln's Sparrow
Wilson's Warbler (lots of these caught at the banding station at Barr Lake!)
Hermit Thrush
A Spotted Towhee & House Wren at Barr Lake
Green-tailed Towhee and squirrel
American Kestrel
Lazuli Bunting (female)
Barn Owls in the nest