Louisiana Bird Observatory has made a couple visits with the potential of more routine studies. AWESOME !!

Louisiana Bird Observatory,  has made two recent visits led by Eric Johnson (Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Louisiana), and what a good time + learning experience it was! Fine nets (mist nets I think) were set up along the interior edges of the northeastern corner fence line in order to capture and band resident and migratory birds as well as collect a good bit of supplemental data about said birds, such as sex, age, molt, weight, wing measurements, body fat, and more before releasing the birds back into the wild. I really had no idea (no formal education relating to ornithology) how much information can be gathered by having a bird in hand. A field expedient work station was set up to process each bird and release it within a minimal time to reduce stress on each  bird. We talked about the possibility of a regular schedule of recurring events because the site has  good potential for steady data collection. I sure hope they decide to set up a station here. Thank you Eric Johnson and Katie Barnes for the knowledge imparted. See below for a glimpse of the two days. 

White Eyed Vireo. Measuring and comparing  groups of feathers helps determine molt and subsequently age.

Banding Station with nets in background

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler with band.

Male Painted Bunting

White Eyed Vireo

Male Painted Bunting

Northern Cardinal

Northern Waterthrush

Northern Waterthrush

American Redstart

American Redstart

Bird Banding Station

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Banding Station

Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Carefully removing Ruby-Throated Hummingbird from net