Bird Observatory opening – May 5

Jackie Sandberg, long-time bird bander with Mara McDonald, officially opened the 2018 banding season of the Bird Observatory on the first warm Saturday of spring–May 5. A great group of volunteers came out for the morning. Although it was super windy, 5 different species of song birds were caught: Field Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Two of the birds were mark-recaptures, and Jackie hopes to figure out if they were banded at the prairie or by someone different. The Bird Observatory is scheduled for most Saturday mornings in summer. Friends are especially invited for the Bird Observatory field trip day on August 4

Volunteer Kelsey is holding and releasing a Common Yellowthroat Warbler (male).