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Bird banding in Canatara providing data on migration

Cathy Dobson A sharp-shinned hawk created quite a buzz when it was netted during a bird banding in Sarnia’s Canatara Park last year. Two trained experts caught the big raptor, checked its health and put a tiny band around its leg.
Sharp-shinned Hawk male 01_1
This sharp-shinned hawk was one of the 30 species of birds banded in Canatara Park lasts spring. Native Territories Avian Research Project

Cathy Dobson

A sharp-shinned hawk created quite a buzz when it was netted during a bird banding in Sarnia’s Canatara Park last year.

Two trained experts caught the big raptor, checked its health and put a tiny band around its leg.

Onlookers might have thought the beautiful hawk was a rare catch, but Rachel Powless of the Native Territories Avian Research Project (NTARP) says they’re relatively common and she anticipates more this year.

Her organization worked with volunteers from Lambton Wildlife in 2016 to hold the first bird banding in Canatara.

The idea is to study migrating birds on the Huron Shore flyway and capture them briefly to assess their health and band them for tracking as they pass along the west shore of Lake Chipican.

The first count in Sarnia was considered a success, said Powless, who lives in Port Huron and conducts many bird banding events on both sides of the border.

“There’s a high volume of migratory birds coming through in the spring and, even though we were in Canatara last year on cold, windy and rainy days, we tagged a surprising number of birds,” she said.

Over two weekends, 184 birds representing 30 species were banded and released. About half were yellow-rumped warblers, but there were also white-throated sparrows, ruby-throated hummingbirds, woodpeckers, house wrens, blue jays and Baltimore orioles.

Baltimore orioles were among the species of birds banded in park last year. Native Territories Avian Research Project
Baltimore orioles were among the species of birds banded in park last year.Native Territories Avian Research Project

This spring, another weekend has been added and Powless anticipates a much higher count if the weather is good.

“It gives us all sorts of information about the health of the birds and, over time, it will indicate increases and decreases of specific species,” she said.

There is no other bird count being done along the flyway between Sarnia and the Bruce Peninsula, making the Canatara banding project important to bird studies.

Powless and her NTARP banding partner Carl Pascoe also enjoy the educational aspect of their work and encourage public participation.

About 20 Lambton Wildlife members plan to be out to help in the park this year but everyone is welcome.

“We had all sorts of nature lovers out last year,” said Powless, who holds a banding permit from Canadian Wildlife Services.

“You get to see these birds up close and personal. Bring the kids and bring your camera,” she said. “We love to have children.”

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Banding of birds along the Huron Shore flyway.

WHERE:  Canatara Park in Sarnia. Meet at the pavilion by the animal farm.

WHEN: April 29, 30; May 6,7; May 14, 15.  8 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily.

DETAILS: Free but no dogs, other animals or loud vehicles.

White-throated sparrow is another bird found in the park. Native Territories Avian Research Project
White-throated sparrow is another bird found in the park.Native Territories Avian Research Project


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