SWAT Banding and RTPI Group
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Today the Roger Tory Peterson Institute brought a group of people to our SWAT MAPS banding station here in Allegany State Park. This is the same group that I had gone on the Owl walk just last week.
Song Sparrow
We banded 15 different species and handled 24 different individuals. We had some excitement when a Ruffed Grouse was almost captured into one of our nets. We also had a Song Sparrow that I thought was a foreign recaptured bird. . . . . well . . . until I went over my records and noticed that I had banded it just last week . . . . . Uggg, Sorry Everyone!!
Common Flicker (male)
Common Flicker (female)
I would like to thank Young Naturalist J for skipping a fieldtrip at school and thinking that being my field assisting today would be more educational. I also would like to thank the Roger Tory Peterson Institute for scheduling a field trip over to the SWAT station and helping spread the word about our bird stuides. Finally I would like to thank everyone that attended the fieldtrip and spending their morning with us.
Young Naturalist J removing a Wood Thrush from the mist net.
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 
If Young Naturalist J ever can’t make it as your assistant, would you let me?
I never knew that a female flicker has no black cheek.
15 June 2007 at 5:15 pm
Tom, you take the best bird close-up photos! I love looking at the details! Looks like you had a lot of great help today, and glad J could make it!!
15 June 2007 at 5:46 pm
Thank YOU Tom (and J) for a great day! We had a blast! Now I know why you take such close-ups of the birds’ faces – cool. Sorry about the song sparrow. LOB
15 June 2007 at 10:14 pm
I wish I was there. Really. Amazing. Bravo to you.
15 June 2007 at 10:17 pm
What great close-ups of the two flickers. And the photo of young naturalist J–wonderful!
15 June 2007 at 11:15 pm
Such clarity and detail in each shot. I felt like I could pet the heads of those beautiful flickers. 🙂
16 June 2007 at 1:05 am
What wonderful shots of your visitors to the nets. Oh, how I envy young naturalist J!
16 June 2007 at 7:45 am
When I look at the photos of the young naturalist, I think, this is how the world is saved. Stunning bird pics.
16 June 2007 at 11:53 am
Stunning pictures of the birds. I love getting the close up views.
16 June 2007 at 7:47 pm
Thanks Everyone for such kind comments! We had a wonderful day and will get that post up tomorrow!
@ Lynne – thanks and even when he is their you are more than welcome to join us!
@ Pam – thanks and was great having everyone come down to visit!
@ LOB – Thanks and was great to have you along with us! Feel free to join me anytime you want!
@ Mary – thanks and would love to have you along!
@ KGMom – thanks and I always enjoy keeping him busy.
@ Mary – thanks and it is amazing how much larger they really are!
@ Jayne – thanks and YN-J took that photo of the group!
@ Robin – Thanks and you can be sure he will be working his way in saving the world in every little way he can! Then again we all are able to do it with just small little things that we do each day!
@ Barb – Thanks and it is even better seeing them up close!
16 June 2007 at 10:21 pm
So, how do I get an invitation?
18 June 2007 at 12:54 pm
Marty – you and everyone else here has an open invitation!! But, would be nice if you emailed me ahead of time if you wanted directions to the spot!
20 June 2007 at 8:47 am