|
Resident Bird Population Study
Bird Banding Report October 2010
The purpose of this study is to document native bird activity in Shoreline's Certified Backyard Habitats over a period of years. The initial data collected will be used as a baseline to compare with the growing history of data over time.
This type of tracking will provide insights as to which resident (year-round) species are successfully living and reproducing in given habitats. It will also indicate the effect of how an increased number of Certified Backyard Habitats influence our bird populations by species and quantity; an increase in bird activity and resident bird populations, will confirm the benefits of supporting backyard habitats and restoration efforts. Additionally, it will provide the City of Shoreline much needed data for analysis of future; park, stream, re-forestation, and development projects.
Birds captured in "mist" nets are carefully removed only by U.S. Geological Service (USGS) Permitted Bird Banders. They work with existing Certified Backyard Habitat property owners in Shoreline, to record physical attributes of each bird then attach colored band birds per a USGS pre-approved color-banding agreement. This allows everyone to watch for these banded birds and report sightings to "track" the bird's travels. To see more about what goes on at a backyard bird banding see -
This Citizen Science provides much needing monitoring of our local bird populations. All data gathered is entered into the USGS Database at Cornell University where it is used to provide a greater understanding about which areas support successful resident (year round) bird populations; and inform how we, as citizens, can increase our native bird populations by the way we manage our own properties, both individually and collectively.
Since this color banding began in January 2008 using a single banding location it has expanded to four locations doing banding in January 2010. As of winter 2010,
A total of 788 birds have been banded since 2008 and 347 have been recaptured. The "recaptures" indicate that these birds are staying in the area. This is the kind of information that you, a Citizen Scientist" can help collect! The oversight for the study has also migrated to the Puget Sound Bird Observatory (PSBO) with continued support from the Habitat Project.
If you see color banded bird please make note of the bands
including right/left leg, top color, bottom color on each leg
and the species; for example, red over yellow left leg, blue
over white on right leg of a dark-eyed junco. This information
can be reported directly to PSBO at
or submitted via the form
|
