By Jackie Sandberg
The Biocore Bird Banding Observatory, which started in 2001, is an all-volunteer bird banding operation that monitors bird populations in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. The Observatory is a permitted research project through the UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Banding requires significant time and experience by those who are licensed and authorized to capture wild birds. At the Observatory, a master bander supervises and trains volunteers, including UW students, staff, retirees, and members of the Madison community. Each bird is caught in a mist net, carefully removed, measured (weight, age, sex, and a variety of other measurements), banded and released. Data from banded birds are submitted to and managed by The North American Bird Banding Program which is under the general direction of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service.
General Statistics:
- 13 total banding days
- 238 total number of birds banded
- 21:03 total net hours calculated = (#birds banded / [(#nets open * #hours open) *100)]
- Most productive mist net: “Net I” with 109 total birds caught
- Oldest recapture: 5/20/24, Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Net – A, Originally banded – 7/27/2019
UW-Madison undergraduate student assisting with the release of a banded goldfinch – Photo by Jackie Sandberg 9-30-23
Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society Officer assisting with banding operations – Photo by Jackie Sandberg 9-30-23
BPBO Banding Volunteers – Photo by Seth McGee (8/19/23)
Cape May Warbler – Photo by Lesley Haven (8/19/23)
