American Redstart
Bird banding has ended for 2023
Summer Thursdays, 7 am – 11 am
Have you ever had the opportunity to see a wild bird up close? Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center is participating in bird research by banding birds. This gives us a chance to figure out things like how to tell the difference between males and females, learn how long they live, and see if they migrate to places south and return to the same place to nest again. All of these are stories that the birds we band have the potential to tell.
Stop in any time between 7 am and noon on Thursdays and see what’s happening with the birds at Sugarloaf.
At 9:00 am and 10:30 am we will be offering special programs about bird banding and the birds of Sugarloaf Cove. Drop by at those times to learn more and get your questions answered. FREE. (You may still visit the banding station any time).
Weather dependent, rain or excessive wind may cause the banding session to be cancelled. Call the Cove at 218-663-7679 to check. (Please note: staff may not be able to answer the phone immediately, as they may be out banding birds.)
Bird Banding Results 2022
The 2022 bird banding season was the 11th straight year of bird banding at Sugarloaf, and the fifth year in sequence as a Monitoring Avian Population and Survivorship (MAPS) Station, a research project sponsored by the Institute for Bird Populations. During the 2022 season a total of 316 birds were banded during weekly banding sessions.
Bird Banding Results 2012 to 2016
2015 report
The 2015 season was the fourth year for banding at Sugarloaf Cove. For the first time this year we did some banding during the month of March to catch some of the winter Common Redpoll and Pine Siskin traffic at the feeders. The regular banding season began May 23rd and continued with banding happening weekly through the end of October for a total of 28 banding days.
Bird Banding at Sugarloaf Cove – 2013 report
As of October 26, 2013 we had captured 776 birds with 51 species represented, banded 616 birds, and recaptured 160 birds (some birds on multiple occasions, see information below). During this season we captured and banded 7 new species for Sugarloaf (Black and White Warbler, Canada Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Peewee, Connecticut Warbler, and Northern Flicker) bringing the ongoing species record for birds caught at Sugarloaf to 60.
Bird Banding at Sugarloaf Cove – 2012 report
During the Summer of 2012, naturalist Margie Menzies banded birds at Sugarloaf Cove. By October 6 she had banded 49 species, of which 17 species were warblers! There were 390 birds banded with 55 recaptures.