September 2021 – Hammock Bird Banding

As we have done over the last two years, we are holding our fall bird banding demonstration in Hammock Park, Dunedin, in mid October. This is the peak of fall migration for West Central Florida so we hope to catch and band a lot of birds that day. The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there:)

Hammock Park Bird Banding Demonstration
Saturday, October 16, 2021
8:30 am – Noon
Hammock Park is a critical stop over location for a number of migratory songbirds. The migratory bird banding project in Hammock Park has been going on for 10 years and we have banded and released over 1,000 birds of 56 different species. This is the peak of the fall bird migration and it is a great opportunity to get to see some of these beautiful migratory birds up close. Also, you will be able to see how ornithologists (bird scientists) do their research and what they have learned about the birds that migrate through this part of Florida.
Depending on how many birds we catch, visitors may get a chance to release birds after they have been banded. This research project is open to the public and people of all ages. Please do NOT bring dogs to the banding station to reduce the stress on the birds.
Location: Hammock Park – Kettles Trail (just east of Palm Trail) Follow the signs to the banding station
Bring: Sunscreen, hat, camera, mask and water.

Master Bird Bander: Jim McGinity, Florida Avian Conservation

Master Bird Bander & Florida Avian Conservation Founder, Jim McGinity

Young visitor releasing a Northern Parula warbler (this could be you)

This morning there was significantly more bird activity on the island. It was also a little cooler and dryer making it more enjoyable to be out there. Unfortunately, the no-see-ums were extremely hungry right when the sun came up but they did lighten later in the morning.

We got our 19 nets opened by sunrise and were rewarded with a nice Gray-cheeked Thrush and a Male Common Yellowthroat in our first net run. They morning picked up with our first of the season (FOS) Gray Catbird. Once I saw that I thought we would catch a bunch more of them. Maybe next week? We had 4 Ovenbirds and a few Northern Cardinals. Probably the most excitement was when we had a Broad-winged Hawk go after a Swainson’s Warbler that was in the net (we scared him off). I think that next week we should do much better than the 10 birds (2 recaptures) this week.