The Jewels of Spring: Bird Banding Station Now Open

Sarah Sargent

The bird banding station at Fry's Landing on Presque Isle is open to the public now through June. Run by avian experts from the Erie Bird Observatory, the group takes advantage of migratory bird patterns to safely band birds, like this Cape May warbler, for ornithological tracking purposes.

CONTINUING FRIDAY, MAY 3

Did you know that each April and May, approximately 3.5 billion birds migrate from the south into North America? And that many of them — brilliantly-colored in fresh breeding plumage — come through Erie on their way north? Want to see some of these feathered jewels up close?

Then you're in luck. Erie Bird Observatory's (EBO) bird banding station will be open to the public through June 2 and this is your opportunity to experience the marvel of migration and learn about how scientists study birds and why. Educators are on hand to explain safe capture and banding procedures.

Banding of birds has taken place at Presque Isle since the 1960s. Banding, in which scientists put small aluminum bands with unique numbers on birds' legs, is a non-invasive, long-term method of observing and studying birds without interfering with their natural behavior. Birds are not harmed in the process. The bands that make each bird known individually allow researchers to monitor migration and answer questions about bird health and abundance as well as to better understand behavior that will be useful in protecting birds and their habitat.

In one example, an American redstart banded at the EBO station on May 20, 2017 was subsequently photographed in Brazil on Nov. 11 of that same year. Now researchers know more about where that bird goes and how well it is faring.

Last year EBO was able to study 92 species of birds over the course of the spring and fall and welcomed over 840 curious visitors. EBO's banding station is located at Fry's Landing on Presque Isle State Park, which is between Beach 11 and Perry Monument. Look for a large sandwich board sign with the EBO logo.

If you are bird-curious or just enjoy nature in all forms, make a stop at the banding station this season. You will be educated, enlightened, and the jewel-colored birds are sure to make you swoon.

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through June 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. // Schedule subject to changes due to weather, check for notifications @ErieBirdObservatory on Facebook // Free, all ages // eriebirdobservatory.org