For any of you who have always wanted to get up close and personal to our local birds, Puget Sound Bird Observatory (PSBO) still has two slots open for the two weekend class starting evening of Sept 5th. It's the last banding class for the year. For more info, go to www.pugetsoundbirds.org

Information compiled directly from the banding of birds, makes scientific data available to track species populations, productivity, habitat usage, and migration information. This in turn, allows the information to be forwarded to decision makers who need answers about building impacts, conservation of specific types of habitat, etc.

Banders are taught the North American Birding Council?s ? The Bander?s Code of Ethics? which states that the health/safety of each bird is paramount, and more important than the collection of data.

Learning to band can make a positive difference, and has a less than one per cent mortality rate. Having banded in the winter in my back yard for seven years, I have had male Spotted Towhees who brought their broods to my backyard feeders for up to six years; Black-capped Chickadees, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees who have been seen for three or more years (average life for chickadees is two years). What this tells me is that the bands in no way impeded them from outsmarting neighborhood predators.

And frankly, there is a moment of awe, when one holds a small bird in the hand to collect data that will help sustain the species, and then opens ones hands and lets it fly away, no worse from the experience.

Come learn this important and enjoyable way to interface with birds.


Christine Southwick
N Seattle/Shoreline
clsouthwick at q.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++