I've participated in group bird banding a few times and have always really enjoyed it. The first time I did it, I was visiting family in New Brunswick on the Bay of Fundy where millions of semi-palmated sandpipers show up every year to eat mud shrimp on the receding tides. My cousins often banded birds there, so they took me along to help. The Discovery Channel happened to be there filming that day, which was extremely exciting to my 13 year old self, who absolutely loved nature shows. They wanted to shoot us trapping birds using a big pull-over net, but missed the shot so they made us reenact it. My big chance at stardom was spoiled when I ran over to pull the trap, slipped on wet grass, and did a full backflop onto the ground, complete with a huge grunt and wheeze as all the air shot out of my lungs. They cut the scene and I never got to be on a nature show, but I did get to learn how to band birds, which was awesome.
It's been a while since I've done it now, but your post has me thinking about volunteering again!
Remind me where you live - if you're in California, California Waterfowl sometimes takes volunteers out banding, but it requires a flexible schedule (like hunting).
I'm up in Ontario (Canada, not California). We've been thinking about driving out and doing a month in SoCal next year, so maybe I could fit in something then! Otherwise, I'll look around for Canadian opportunities.
COOL. This makes me want to try volunteering! Is volunteer banding something you need special training for, or can any schmoe like us learn how to do it? We definitely have dove-friendly habitat at our place and I hear them fairly often (mainly on the wing) -- although we'd have to be careful because we also get bears here, and we've been warned not to put out bird feeders because they turn into bear feeders.
I've participated in group bird banding a few times and have always really enjoyed it. The first time I did it, I was visiting family in New Brunswick on the Bay of Fundy where millions of semi-palmated sandpipers show up every year to eat mud shrimp on the receding tides. My cousins often banded birds there, so they took me along to help. The Discovery Channel happened to be there filming that day, which was extremely exciting to my 13 year old self, who absolutely loved nature shows. They wanted to shoot us trapping birds using a big pull-over net, but missed the shot so they made us reenact it. My big chance at stardom was spoiled when I ran over to pull the trap, slipped on wet grass, and did a full backflop onto the ground, complete with a huge grunt and wheeze as all the air shot out of my lungs. They cut the scene and I never got to be on a nature show, but I did get to learn how to band birds, which was awesome.
It's been a while since I've done it now, but your post has me thinking about volunteering again!
They cut that scene??? Dang...
Remind me where you live - if you're in California, California Waterfowl sometimes takes volunteers out banding, but it requires a flexible schedule (like hunting).
I'm up in Ontario (Canada, not California). We've been thinking about driving out and doing a month in SoCal next year, so maybe I could fit in something then! Otherwise, I'll look around for Canadian opportunities.
Let me know if you do. To band in California, you have to go through a training. I can connect you with the folks who run the program.
As an avid back yard bird watcher, as well as a bird hunter, this is fascinating! What a super cool way to contribute to conservation efforts!
Thank you! While it's fun to know them generally, knowing them as individuals is extra special.
COOL. This makes me want to try volunteering! Is volunteer banding something you need special training for, or can any schmoe like us learn how to do it? We definitely have dove-friendly habitat at our place and I hear them fairly often (mainly on the wing) -- although we'd have to be careful because we also get bears here, and we've been warned not to put out bird feeders because they turn into bear feeders.
I'll shoot you an email with the program coordinator's contact info!
Fantastic, thank you!