WILLISTOWN CONSERVATION TRUST

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  • Rushton Conservation Center

Autumn Songbird Banding at Rushton Farm – A Community Treasure

September 16, 2016 By Blake Goll

Male Blue-winged Warbler banded this September at Rushton. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Male Blue-winged warbler banded this September at Rushton. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Fall has arrived, which means 20 billion birds are burning through the night sky with the big dipper at their backs as they navigate the stars on their way to the tropics.  As you lie cozy in your bed, think of a tiny warbler —weighing no more than a third of an ounce —flying 200 miles by the time the sun comes up.  These amazing animals can accomplish such feats by cover of darkness because the nocturnal atmosphere is cooler and more stable, thus preventing against overheating and unnecessary energy expenditure.  Flying by night also allows songbirds to avoid diurnal birds of prey like hawks.  In addition, night commuting gives small birds, like American redstarts that must replenish diminutive fat reserves often,  the opportunity for daytime foraging in stopover sites.  Finding a suitable stopover site can mean the difference between life or death for an exhausted migrant.
White-eyed Vireo being released after banding. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
White-eyed Vireo being released after banding. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
First year male American redstart banded at Rushton this August. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Hatching year male American Redstart banded at Rushton this August. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Speaking of great stopover sites, our bird banding station at our bird friendly Rushton Farm is open for “birdness”!
All are welcome to observe banding every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 6-10:30 AM, weather permitting, from now through the first week of November.   Bird banding enables us to understand species diversity, abundance, population changes, habitat use and stopover ecology at Rushton.
Young Chestnut-sided warbler getting a band this August. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Young Chestnut-sided warbler getting a band this August. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
 In addition, this Saturday 9/17 we will be holding our annual Songbird Banding Open House from 6-11 AM.  All ages are welcome.  WCT Junior Birding Club members are encouraged to bring a friend!  Come out to enjoy the stunning beauty of these neotropical migrants and learn about bird conservation.
Rushton Woods Preserve and Farm is located at 911 Delchester Road, Newtown Square, PA.
There’s a lot going on in the woods,
Blake
Native Field Thistle awaiting the buzz of pollinator activity in the early morning light at Rushton this August. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff
Native field thistle awaiting the buzz of pollinator activity in the early morning light at Rushton this August. Photo by Blake Goll/Staff

Filed Under: Bird Banding, Bird Conservation, migration Tagged With: American Redstart, Bird banding, Blue-winged warbler, Chestnut-sided warbler, fall songbird migration, field thistle, White eyed Vireo

OUR NATURE PRESERVES

Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. We will keep them open as long as it is safe to do so. While visiting our preserves, please practice social distancing and wear a mask if you encounter another person who will be closer than six feet … Learn more about our nature preserves.

Upcoming Events

01 - 31 March

Family Preserve Hike: Three Preserve Bingo!

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04 March

“Love the Land” Stewardship Volunteer Thursdays

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04 March

Sharpen Your Knife Skills for Spring Cooking!

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The Trust's holistic approach to land conservation, with a focus on the connections among land, farm, birds, and water, protects native habitat and provides open space for our earth to heal. Please help the Trust continue to preserve our natural world for all  generations and consider making an impactful donation … Donate Today

CONTACT

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

OUR STORY

Willistown Conservation Trust's mission is to: "preserve and manage the open land, rural character, … read more

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

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