WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
GIVE
  • About
    • HOW WE WORK
    • WHERE WE WORK
    • DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
    • OUR STAFF AND TRUSTEES
    • OUR NATURE PRESERVES
    • JOBS & INTERNSHIPS
    • FAQs
  • LATEST
    • BLOG
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • IN THE NEWS
    • PHOTOS
  • PROGRAMS
    • BIRD CONSERVATION
    • COMMUNITY FARM
    • EDUCATION
    • LAND PROTECTION
    • STEWARDSHIP
      • TRAILS
    • WATERSHED PROTECTION
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • BARNS & BBQ
    • RUN-A-MUCK
    • WILDFLOWER WEEK
    • PLASTIC FREE JULY
    • RUSHTON NATURE KEEPERS (RNK)
  • Support
    • SPONSOR THE TRUST
      • CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
    • JOIN THE SYCAMORE SOCIETY
    • LEGACY SOCIETY & PLANNED GIVING
    • CAMPAIGN FOR RUSHTON WOODS PRESERVE
    • WAYS TO GIVE
    • VOLUNTEER
    • OUR SUPPORTERS
  • Rushton Conservation Center

Sept 12, 2010 Banding Update from Doris

October 20, 2010 By Communications Team

Thus far we’ve netted 98 birds of 20 species with seven additions to our fall list during this week. We also recaptured 17 of our own birds the majority of whom have gained weight since being banded. The “one which got away” was a female Cooper’s Hawk flailing in the net as Lou and I approached. The net’s mesh is too small for most raptors and she was able to back out before I could get close enough to grab her. It’s unusual but not rare to catch raptors in passerine nets during migration.
Two Connecticut Warblers were our best birds. Low fields are their preferred migratory habitat and Rushton has what they need. Northern Waterthrush, Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue and Chestnut-sided were the other colorful new warblers. Eastern Towhee, American Goldfinch, and a lone Song Sparrow were also banded. Small flycatchers called empidonax are especially difficult to identify even in the hand. Many measurements are required to make an accurate ID. Hearing flycathchers sing allows a certain ID, but, they don’t sing in Fall. So we were pleased to net two Acadian Flycatchers, a common stream side nester in the Delaware Valley.
A Great Horned Owl and three Screech Owls have been calling as we set our nets. The Screech Owls were so safely hidden in the grape vines behind thebanding table that they continued to call after dawn. Vines are a favorite cover for all birds, but especially young owls, and this was surely a family contacting one another prior to the day’s rest. “First light” is around 6:00. Nets are up and that’s when we turn off our head lamps and use the pre-dawn light to set up the bandingtable and most importantly the guest chairs, sadly empty! until you come to visit. Hint, Hint.

See you in the woods.

Doris

Filed Under: Bird Banding

Welcome to WCT’s Bird Blog!

October 20, 2010 By Communications Team

Fall is quickly approaching and our bird banding station is up and running!  You are invited to join our WCT bird banding team where you can learn all phases of bird banding research which include:

* setting up and taking down mist-nets
* capturing, handling and releasing wild birds
* taking birds from nets
* identifying, aging and sexing each bird

* weighing and measuring birds
* documenting research into the federal data bank
* documenting with photography
Led by the talented Doris McGovern, a federally licensed bird bander, our staff is available to help you whether you want to come for the day to observe or should you want to become part of the program as a regular volunteer. 

The banding station is located at the Rushton Woods and Farm Preserve and you may park in the Rushton Farm parking lot, located at the corner of Goshen and Delchester Roads, with the entrance on Delchester Road .  You can walk towards the hedgerows opposite the parking lot and follow the path to the right which eventually turns left and cuts through the hedgerow.  Take the left path and follow until you see our research table.
Our program will run every week during fall migration beginning August 31 through the end of October and will occur every Tuesday and  Wednesday as weather permits–we don’t band if it rains or if temperatures fall below freezing. Although the nets go up at sunrise, visitors wishing to see the most birds should arrive no later than 8 am.  Action is often constant until about 11am, after which the nets are closed.  In October, once the neo-tropical migrants have left our region, we will begin the first season of our northern Saw-whet Owl research, capturing migrating Saw-whet Owls in the evenings.  This schedule will be sent at a later date.
Teaching children and adults a conservation ethic, the importance for preserving open space, and the value and use of scientific research skills are the passions which we strive to share with all of the participants that visit our bird banding station.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone anytime.  We hope to see you throughout the season!
Gratefully,
Lisa

Filed Under: Bird Banding

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25

OUR NATURE PRESERVES

Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. Willistown Conservation Trust owns and manages three nature preserves in the Willistown area - Ashbridge, Kirkwood and Rushton Woods Preserve. We maintain these lands for the … Learn more about our nature preserves.

Upcoming Events

02 February

Winter Stewardship Volunteer Days | Contact us to Join!

View Detail
09 February

Winter Stewardship Volunteer Days | Contact us to Join!

View Detail
10 February
Rushton Conservation Center

Rejuvenate at Rushton Wellness Retreat

915 Delchester Road, Newtown Square, PA

View Detail
No event found!
Load More

DONATE TODAY!

Invest in Nature! ENGAGE CONNECT SPONSOR LEAVE A LEGACY   If you would like to make a gift of securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares, please contact us at 610-353-2562 for instructions. For more … Donate Today

CONTACT

925 Providence Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 353-2562
land@wctrust.org

WHERE WE WORK

The work of the Willistown Conservation Trust is concentrated on 28,000 acres of Willistown Township … read more

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

FAQs

Copyright © 2023 · WCTRUST.ORG