In the past year I, assisted by Dr. Jack Fletcher and Pat Fletcher and
Betty Long, banded 1,762 birds of 31 species and 2 subspecies. In 1999 a
total of 1,505 birds of 33 species and 2 subspecies were also banded.
Totals for the years 1991-2000 in the general Sequim and Three-Crabs
area came to 14,736. Coupled with the 5,425 which I banded near Diamond
Point nearby in 1986-80, the total now is 20,161 birds of 89 species.

In 2000 we banded 78 Mourning Doves, mostly in the Fall, which is
somewhat unusual because it was the largest number banded in any one
year. Of the 78, 41 were birds of the year. The 396 Puget-sound
White-crowned Sparrows were 90 more than banded in 1999, most banded
around Sequim. Of these 72 were adults and 324 were birds hatched in
2000, indicating good production. Golden-crowned Sparrow figures were
174 contrasted with the 210 in 1999. Lesser numbers of Dark-eyed
(Oregon) Juncos, 148, than the 256 a year ago. But Song Sparrows, 117,
were more than the 67 last year. Savnnah Sparrows were 37 over last
year. Weight and measurements were taken of a number of birds, and the
data will be analyzed later.

Only wire ground traps were used in 2000 unlike last year when these and
mist nets were used. Use of both types to capture birds would have
resulted in a much greater variety of birds banded. Finding a Red-tailed
Hawk in a ground trap was a surprise. How it squeezed through the small
opening of the trap was rather puzzling. When approached, it threw
itself on its back in a defensive position with its talons at the ready.
It took some doing by one person to remove it from the trap to band it.
Also, a Sharp-shinned Hawk entered the same type of trap, but it was
worked into the gathering cage, and taken out and banded, too. Have to
be careful of talons more than beaks. Their fast in grabbing you.

To date we have not received many reports of birds banded the last two
years being recovered elsewhere. Except for a Red-winged Blackbird and a
Brewer's Blackbird both killed by cats near Victoria, British Columbia.
Nor did we get another person's banded bird in our traps. But the fall
and winters are very busy for the Bird Banding Laboratory what with
hunters turning in waterfowl bands so we should expect mre recovery
reports of our birds.

The Banding Lab states that only about 0.004% of banded passerines are
recovered. A case in point, of 138,400 warblers and vireos banded in
1995, only 62 were recovered. Small dead birds are easily overlooked in
heavy vegetation, their bodies decompose rapidly, they are eaten by
scavengers and many are taken by predators, Several studies estimate
that over roaming cats annually kill over 2 billion birds in our nation.
Also, many people don't know where to turn in a band. Give it to a state
or federal wildlife worker or a bird bander with information where the
bird was found and the take. They will forward the information to the
Laboratory. In turn that office will notify you about who banded the
bird, location, species, age and sex where known.

Banding is used for many research studies other than migration. Such as
the presence in an area by season, differential migration by age and
sex, daily movements, territory, breeding condition by presence of brood
patches or swollen cloaca, weights, measurements, etc.. It is an
excellent way to determine subtle differences between subspecies. Bird
books don't tell you everything. Also, banding complements observation.

It is a great teaching mechanism because it establishes empathy between
student and bird. you can talk yourself blue in the face, but let a
school child touch and pet a bird and - viola! You have a convert and
potential young birder.

During my career as a wildlife biologist beginning in 1951 and later
after retirement, I've banded well over 86,000 birds of 298 species.
Ranging in size from hummingbirds, chickadees, golden plover, ducks,
geese, petrels, shearwaters and terns to swans, albatrosses,
frigatebirds, cranes, boobies, eagles and pelicans. Also endangered
species like Laysan Ducks, Nihoa and Laysan Finches, Millerbirds, Puaohi
(small Kauai Thrush), Aeo (Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt) and the now
extinct Marianna Mallard. Dyed 190 Tundra Swan to trace their migrations
from California to Alaska and Canada. Have banded in Montana,
California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii. Fun and
games.

Why at 81 years of age am I still banding? Keeps me from
chasing-er-hobbling after parked cars.

Gene Kridler
Broken Down Olde Biologist