Spring banding underway at Long Point Bird Observatory

A black-and-white warbler, one of the species banded at the Long Point Bird Observatory during spring migration. Visitors are welcome to watch bird banding daily (weather permitting) from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Old Cut Research Station and Visitor’s Centre. 

Lisa Timpf

Advocate Contributor

There’s a saying that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

That’s doubly true at Long Point Bird Observatory, where birds are momentarily detained for data collection and banding. The process provides important information for researchers.

Emma Buck, Program Coordinator at Long Point Bird Observatory, notes that every effort is made to make the banding activity as low-stress as possible for the birds. The 14 nets spread out on the observatory’s grounds are made of a soft polyester material. Nets are checked and emptied regularly to minimize length of time birds spend cooped up.

Once birds are brought to the banding station, banders examine each individual, logging the species, measuring and recording wing length and other factors, and assessing health indicators like the amount of fat. The banders also place a metal band around the bird’s leg, to assist in future tracking.

Though there’s a lot going on, the process is efficient. Banders try to keep the assessment and banding process under one minute per bird. Once it’s complete, the bird is freed to resume its normal activities.

LPBO has been gathering bird data since 1960, making it one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the Americas. The information helps researchers understand trends in bird populations and health. For example, we know from data gathered at LPBO and other similar facilities that grassland species are declining, likely due to pesticides and habitat loss. Raptors, on the other hand, have shown increasing numbers since DDT was banned in the 1970s. 

LPBO bands birds from April to mid or early June, and from early August to mid-November. On April 3, which is early in the migration season, LPBO banded 200 birds. When migration hits its peak, they might band as many as 400 birds in six hours of activity.

Because of LPBO’s long history and reputation, it serves as a place where bird banders around the world come to get training and experience. Applications for this year’s banding season came from Austria, Chile, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other locations.

Banding takes place daily during the season, with the exception of rainy weather. Visitors are welcome to observe the banding activities from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Old Cut Research Station and Visitor’s Centre, located on Old Cut Boulevard (Long Point/Port Rowan).

Visitors can also walk the trails. A wooden platform provides a spot to view waterfowl and the occasional raptor. On a recent visit, a spotting scope set up by a volunteer offered close-up look at a merlin perched in a nearby tree.

A posting board near the research building gives bird-watchers the opportunity to note down significant finds in the Long Point area. Hermit thrush, purple martin, eastern phoebe, red-throated loon, and a vesper sparrow were examples of sightings noted on the board in early April.

There’s also a gift shop on site, offering birding guides, nature books, clothing items, hats, mugs, and organic coffee, among other items.

Each season - spring and fall - has its merits for visitors, says Peter, one of this year’s volunteers at the LPBO site. While the fall offers greater numbers of migrating birds, due to the inclusion of youngsters hatched that season, the springtime birds are often showier in terms of plumage. Either way, stopping by the LPBO makes for an interesting visit for anyone interested in learning more about birds and the hands-on aspects of bird migration research.

Bird banding isn’t the only activity taking place at LPBO. In addition to banding, volunteers log the various species and numbers of birds they see in the area, including those out on the water. Other scientists, including some from universities, visit the LPBO site to conduct research into specific bird species, or even bats.

The LPBO conducts some species-specific research of its own, and also hosts the Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’ Workshops for ages 13-17. The workshops take place in August, and give an opportunity for aspiring ornithologists to participate in all parts of the migration monitoring process. Buck notes that applications for this program are open until April 30, with information available on the Birds Canada website.