On May 25, a pleasant Saturday morning, 8 Evergreen Audubon Birders went to the Chatfield Banding Station to observe Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (BCR) staff and volunteers band migrating birds. This banding station is operated every spring to track northward bird migration and provides a great opportunity to observe and understand how seasonal monitoring of migratory birds contributes to our understanding of bird populations and distributions. Meredith McBurney, the lead Bander for BCR, provides detailed explanations of how birds are banded, the data collected, and how those data are used to better understand the changes bird populations and distributions undergo in the face of habitat loss and changing climate.
Birds were captured frequently during our one-hour visit. A Bullock’s Oriole provided dramatic color as it was measured, weighed, and held, trying to open Meredith’s hand as she explained more about the bird and it’s behaviors. Yellow Warblers were the most frequently captured birds, some of which were recaptures; first-time captures provided the opportunity to see exactly how the lightweight bands are carefully and harmlessly attached to the leg of a bird.
The banding station visit is a delight for all ages, but it was particularly gratifying to see young people get excited about birds and to hold a bird in their hands, releasing the bird amidst squeals of delight and wonder.
We then took a brief walk amongst the shrub, riparian, and meadow habitat that surrounds the banding station, until heat and the activity of many Memorial Day weekend visitors convinced us to conclude a very exciting and successful bird walk.
Banding Station visits are very popular. While the banding station is closed for the season, keep an eye out for announcements detailing future visits to the Chatfield Station and, in the fall, the Barr Lake banding station. A banding station visit may give you the amazing experience of holding a bird in hand!
Birding opportunities still abound. Check the Evergreen Audubon Calendar of Events for future bird walks, but regardless, get out there and see all the birds, flowers, trees, and other flora and fauna our watershed and state provide!
Ed Furlong
Birds Observed to, from, and at the Chatfield Banding Station:
Broad-tailed Hummingbird 4
Osprey 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1
Western Flycatcher (Cordilleran) 3
Say’s Phoebe 1
American Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 2
House Wren 1
Gray Catbird 2
American Robin 1
House Finch 1
Spotted Towhee 2
Bullock’s Oriole 1
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Yellow Warbler 7
Western Tanager 1
Birds Observed after the Banding Station Visit:
Mourning Dove 2
Broad-tailed Hummingbird 5
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Swainson’s Hawk 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1
Western Flycatcher 2
Say’s Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 2
swallow sp. 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 2
American Robin 2
Spotted Towhee 2
Yellow-breasted Chat 2
Bullock’s Oriole 2
Yellow Warbler 6
Passerina sp. 1