Southward migration

New banding facility in operation at PEPtBO

A spacious new banding station is now in full operation at the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO), providing a welcome change from the cramped quarters of the wooden shed that was previously used. Two walls of windows using birdfriendly glass—the panes are patterned with a grid of white polka dots—provide ample natural light for the volunteers and workers inside, and gives the visiting public a good view of the activities going on. A wide, sheltered patio makes an ideal space for public outreach. Matt Iles, the resident bander in charge, is thrilled about the new facility. “The new banding station is super exciting,” he says. “This must be the most state-of-the-art, the most sustainably sourced material banding lab in the country. It’s really quite impressive. We’re extremely lucky to have it, and it presents some amazing opportunities to engage with the public and show them what we are up to in an up-close and personal way.”

(L-R): Donna Adams prepares to release a blue jay with instructions from PEPtBO bander Matt Iles.

The fall banding session started on August 15 and will continue until October 31. The region along the south shore of the County is a convenient resting and feeding stop for birds on their southward migration, particularly before they make the journey over the wide expanse of Lake Ontario. At PEPtBO, migrating birds are caught in a number of nets at the site. Under the direction of Iles and assistant bander Michaela Berdugo, volunteers gently retrieve the birds from the nets and return them to the lab where a small numbered metal band is placed around the bird’s leg. The species, state of health and age of the bird is recorded in a database that is shared internationally, and then the bird is released to continue its journey south, sometimes spanning over 10,000 kilometres from its breeding grounds in the northern boreal forests.

So far this season, the bird count has been a little less than expected. The warmer than usual weather and plentiful supply of food is one of the likely causes of the delayed migration, although Iles says that some birds may be taking advantage of favourable winds and simply flying straight across the lake.

The daily banding operation is open to the public, and there are several other activities on weekends, including workshops and guided bird walks. The mist nets are usually set in place just before sunrise, as long as it is not raining, and will remain in place until late morning. Several more robust nets designed to capture hawks are also used. A team of dedicated volunteers help make the entire operation run smoothly. Some of these volunteers, such as Erin Feddema who has been helping out for the past couple of years, leave home before 5 a.m. to get to the observatory by sunrise. The observatory also provides hands-on, practical experience for new graduates from biology or ornithology programs. Assistant bander Michaela Berdugo recently obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology from a French university, with the final year studying in Quebec City. She had some experience banding last fall at the Long Point Bird Observatory on Lake Erie, and was invited to join PEPtBO for this season. “It’s been great here,” she says. “I got to see birds that I didn’t see last fall and I get to band more birds here, so that’s a good part of it.” She spent the first part of her stay at PEPtBO in the old banding station, and appreciates the move to the new one. “It’s way bigger and way nicer. It’s made for people to see inside and see what we do. I like interacting with people, and I think it would be a bit boring without the public.” She is also looking forward to the owl banding at PEPtBO in October. “We did some owls at Long Point Observatory, but here we get way more owls, so I think it’s going to be great.”

For more information about the events at PEPtBO, please visit peptbo.ca.