Bird Banding at Beidler

During the last couple weeks, we have noticed some Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) foraging in an early successional mixed upland forest adjacent to the old-growth, bald cypress-tupelo swamp at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. Every year in early July, it seems that Prothonotary Warblers become much more difficult to find along the boardwalk, even though most do not begin migrating south until mid-August. In fact, the boardwalk almost becomes a bird-free zone for nearly all species. This may simply be because the males have stopped singing and are less visible or perhaps their activity level drops after they have raised their young. However, after seeing some Prothonotary Warblers in the early successional upland forest last week, we began to wonder if perhaps that is where some of our in-swamp birds had relocated.

Audubon South Carolina’s Director of Bird Conservation, Jeff Mollenhauer, recently obtained a federal bird banding permit with a special permit to color band Prothonotary Warblers. Birds are typically banded on the leg with an aluminum band containing a unique 9-digit number to identify that particular bird. The band numbers and all of the information we collect on the birds is sent to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. If one of the birds we band is captured at another banding site or found deceased, the individual recovering the bird will send the band number and any updated information to the laboratory. From that contact, they can learn where and when the bird was banded and previously recaptured. The size of the band depends on the size of the bird. It's safe to state that the band is often so small that one would need to recapture the bird to read the number...even then only the youngest eyes could do so with ease. In order to allow visitors or staff to identify an individual Prothonotary Warbler from the boardwalk without having to recapture it, a series of plastic color bands are being placed on each bird's legs.

To answer our questions about which birds (specifically, the age and/or sex of Prothonotary Warblers) were using the upland habitat, we set up six mist nets along the edge of the early successional forest (see map). The mesh of mist nests are strong enough to capture the birds without injurying them, but fine enough that the net is invisible when viewed at a right angle. The images show a closeup of the net, a view down the length of the net, and finally the same net viewed at a right angle (use the sunlight spot on the path as a reference). Presto...it's invisible! Birds in the nets were carefully removed and placed in cloth bags to reduce the stress on the birds until their vital statistics could be taken. All captured birds were banded, but only the Prothonotary Warblers received the separate colored bands.

Our first attempt at banding birds in Beidler Forest turned out to be highly successful! We were able to capture and band two Prothonotary Warblers: one juvenile and one adult female. Both received a series of color bands and we will try to locate them again later this week. We were amazed by the number of birds using the early successional forest, particularly since the activity has been so low in the old-growth forest during the past few weeks. We also captured and banded: 1 Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii), 2 Kentucky Warblers (Oporornis formosus) [one twice!...slow learner], 1 Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), 1 Northern Parula (Parula americana), and 3 Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). Many of the birds that we captured were birds that had hatched some time this year, which often required a quick look at a field guide. The Kentucky Warbler in the image was not impressed.

Additionally, we captured a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) that managed to escape before being banded. As described in the pre-banding meeting, they are master escape artists and just so squirmy! Although General Francis Marion was equally as elusive, the Swamp Wren moniker never took hold!

Images by Mark Musselman

Bird Banding Draws Media Attention

Although Tropical Storm Fay lashed the Carolina Lowcountry with bands of rain and wind, that story was "so old news" for the local print media. Bryce Donovan of the Post and Courier and Jenny Peterson of the Summerville Journal Scene endured a Fay-induced soaking to see how birds are banded at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest as Jeff Mollenhauer, Director of Bird Conservation, prepares to launch Project PROTHO.

After the rain abated, the four nets were opened again. Another half hour later, we were able to check the nets set along the edge of the swamp (two on the dry side and two on the usually wet side). Only one net, which was located on the dry side, had any birds tangled in its mesh. The three squawking hostages were a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), a Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), and a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Although we were not there to see how the captures occurred, we have a theory. All of the birds call freely when distressed. One of the three likely got caught, called in alarm and attracted the curious attention of at least one of the remaining two birds. As noted in the previous bird banding blog entry, the net is extremely difficult to see. A second bird caught in the net and adding to the alarm calls may have brought in the final bird. The bird equivalent to, "Oh! Shucks!" was probably uttered more than once.

On the back porch of the nature center, the bagged birds were removed individually, banded and their vital statistics taken. Bryce held and subsequently released the Carolina Wren and the Tufted Titmouse, but passed on the Northern Cardinal after hearing a description of the painful bite that the seed-cracking bill can inflict on human digits. The recapture of birds, like those caught today, will help us learn more about the bird populations in our sanctuary. However, the purpose of our bird banding permit is to gather data on the Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea).

The Prothonotary Warblers will receive color bands in addition to their National Bird Banding Laboratory aluminum identification bands. The color bands will allow us to identify the birds without having to recapture them as the numbers on the aluminum bands are entirely too small to read without the bird in hand. Additionally, visitors to our center or individuals along the birds' lengthy migratory route will be able to identify the birds and share the information with us. Along the boardwalk, we would like to learn the location of Prothonotary Warbler nests, the extent of a male's territory, the fidelity of breeding pairs during the breeding season and across seasons, the annual fidelity a pair has to a particular nest site, and where the birds go once their young have fledged. Currently, the birds all look alike and we are unable to determine answers to the any of these questions.

Thanks to Bryce Donovan and Jenny Peterson for taking the time to report on our upcoming bird research. Please come join us in the spring and assist us in scientific data collection while you enjoy a walk through the old-growth swamp!

Images by Mark Musselman

Project PROTHO's First Day Bandings

As noted yesterday, Project PROTHO has begun at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest. The hunt for Prothontary Warblers (PW) (Protonotaria citrea) did not begin auspiciously. It took some walking around the 1.75-mile boardwalk before we found a singing male. However, after setting up the mist net (see first image), we were unable to lure the bird closer to the net even though we were playing a "rival" male's song through speakers under the net. In the second image, a foam ball thrown into the mist net shows how the net gives without hurting a bird before the bird drops into the net's pouch and becomes tangled.

After failing to capture our first target, we moved along the boardwalk and watched a Barred Owl (Strix varia) hunting crayfish. Perched above the water, the owl can see through the water to the crayfish moving across the bottom. The owl missed its prey during the only attempt we observed, but quickly took up watch on a nearby limb.

Just beyond the sign for the 1000-year-old cyress tree, we heard another male PW signing quietly. Watching us set up the mist net was a Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) basking on a fallen tree. Once again, the PW was not interested in the male calling from the iPod and we eventually packed up for the move down the boardwalk.

Finally, the setup on the way out to Goodson Lake captured a male Prothonotary Warbler...the first of 2009! Two PWs were banded before the birds migrated south last year. After removing the bird from the net, the aluminum identification number band plus the three color bands were placed on the the bird's legs. The aluminum band is issued by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory as part of the North American Bird Banding Program. The USGS is notified whenever a band is found or read from a captured bird. Any information associated with that recovery is shared with the original banders. Therefore, we may learn where Beidler Forest birds go on migration or what birds use Beidler Forest as a stopover during their migration. The colors each are assigned a number and are read from the lower left around to the lower right, so the first bird is A024 (A=aluminum; 0=purple/white; 2=pink; 4=yellow). The color bands are strictly for identifying PWs along the boardwalk at Beidler Forest without needing to recapture the individual birds. After having its wing measured, its feathers examined, its mass measured and its picutre taken, the bird was released. The male flew to a nearby branch and immediately began examining his new leg accessories!

Later captures were made near the first rain shelter at #9. Two male PWs, one female PW (not as brightly yellow as males), and a Northern Parula (Parula americana) were measured and banded. Only the PWs received the extra colored bands. While using the rain shelter as our banding station, we noticed two Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus) snakes sunning themselves nearby.

Our final capture happened near #7 along the boardwalk. Two male PWs were harassing each other. After numerous passes under the mist net by both birds, one bird finally caught itself in the net. While we were banding the bird, the other male PW kept watch on a branch directly overhead...it even sang. As soon as we released the banded PW, the unbanded PW attacked and drove the banded PW into the water. Both birds then began a stare-off from perches within five feet of each other.

We would have enjoyed the opportunity to continue our observations, but the day was quickly coming to a close and the equipment needed to be put away before we headed home. Fortunately, like the 1000+-year-old cypress trees, the PWs will be here when we return. It is going to be an exciting season for Prothonotary Warbler-related activities!

Images by Mark Musselman

Sparrow Banding

Between January 26th and January 29th, we were banding sparrow species in a variety of habitats.  Mark LaBarr, Audubon Vermont and a federally certified bird bander, flew down to coordinate the proceedings and band the captured sparrows.

In the eastern United States, grassland habitat continues to disappear and consequently bird species that prefer that habitat are also in decline.  Previously, we have reported on our efforts to restore grassland habitats within the Francis Beidler Forest.

The four days of banding began at the recently burned Spring Branch grassland restoration site.

Unburned and burned Spring Branch - Mark Musselman

Lex Glover removing sparrow - Mark Musselman

Other certified banders, Lex Glover of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and Aaron Given of the Town of Kiawah, were on site to assist with the banding and data collection, but the significant help came from the Summerville High School Navy Junior ROTC volunteers.  The effort to capture and band sparrow species is not like some netting stations which are situated to be in the flight paths of birds conducting their normal activities.  Sparrows spend the majority of their time on or quite close to the ground, so they need to be flushed from their cover towards the mist nets.  That is where the extra bodies proved to be invaluable.

Purple line shows track of Mark Musselman during the day of banding

The middle of the three sections shown above in orange was the only section not burned.  The nets were initially set along the fire break to the west and set later along the fire break to the east.

Summerville HS NJROTC volunteers - Mark Musselman

With the large grassland habitat and small coverage area of the mist nets, the sparrows would have had no trouble leaking around the three banders and three Audubon staff members trying to drive the birds towards the nets.  However, with the quantity of high school volunteers joining the effort, we were able to cover a wide swath of the grassland and curl in the ends of the line to keep the birds moving directly away from the noise and humans and towards the waiting nets

The majority of the approximately 60 sparrows captured were Song Sparrows and Swamp Sparrows.  However, there were also several Savannah Sparrows and one Grasshopper Sparrow as well as an overly curious Northern Mockingbird.  The mockingbird was shown to the students and released without any bands, but all sparrows were given an official United State Geologic Survey (USGS) band.  You can read more about the North American bird banding program here.

Mark LaBarr with Northern Mockingbird - Mark Musselman

Savannah Sparrow - Mark Musselman

Grasshopper Sparrow - Mark Musselman

Grasshopper Sparrow - Mark Musselman

The second day of banding include a shut-out at the Longleaf Pine restoration site.  The emerging pine habitat still has a significant number of short oaks and wiregrass ground cover, which is clumpy and not nearly as dense as the grassland habitat at Spring Branch.  A return to Spring Branch later in the day resulted in additional sparrows being captured and banded, but without the large number of volunteers, we did not capture anything close to the numbers we saw flying over and around the nets and the six humans.

Clark tract - Longleaf Pine restoration

Days three and four were spent at the Oakridge landfill in Dorchester County and the Bees Ferry landfill in Charleston County.  Although landfills seldom, if ever, evoke images of wildlife habitat, they can be beneficial to some species once portions or the entire landfill have been closed.  Once a section or cell of the landfill has been capped, grasses are encouraged to grow on top and on the sloped sides in order to prevent erosion of the capping material.  Trees, however, are no allowed to grow as their roots would penetrate the capping material, which would allow water in and pollutants out of the waste cell.  Driving the mist net poles in to the ground would have the same effect as tree roots, so the poles needed to be set in buckets of sand.  This sounds good in principle, but the occasional gust of wind would topple at least one pole, which would in turn pull down several others.  Valuable time was then spent picking grass, twigs, and blackberry stems from the delicate nets.

Oakridge Landfill

Oakridge landfill has the distinction of having the highest point in Dorchester County at an elevation of 255 feet.  The small grassy lump in the left half of the panorama below is that high point.

Panoramic view from top of Oakridge landfill - Mark Musselman

Methane capture - Mark Musselman

Mark LaBarr removing sparrow - Mark Musselman

Setting mist nets - Mark Musselman

House Wren - Mark Musselman

Although we did not take pictures of the second site closer to the top of the landfill (see panorama above) was much more like an open grassland.  The site was full of sparrows, but we were again plagued with a limited number of bird drivers.  Additionally, the steep slope worked in the birds' favor.  When flushed from their cover, the birds flew straight out before diving back down for cover.  Unfortunately, straight out put them over the top of the mist nets running parallel to the contour of the hill.  The sparrows were not captured and banded, but their presence was noted and the habitat deemed suitable for grassland sparrow species.

Bees Ferry landfill was the site of the final day of banding.

Bees Ferry Landfill

Help from a variety of volunteers made it possible to set the poles and nets on an increasingly windy day.  Like the Oakridge landfill, poles could not be set into the ground to avoid puncturing the cap and or lining material.  Now, with an ample force of volunteer bird drivers, we lacked the bird numbers we had seen on previous days!

Mark LaBarr removing sparrow - Mark Musselman

Mark LaBarr setting nets - Mark Musselman

Volunteers helping set nets - Mark Musselman

First for Mark LaBarr, Le Conte's Sparrow - Mark Musselman

The day began with a breeze and the winds continued to increase in advance of the approaching cold front.  Setting the nets, already difficult with the sand-in-bucket system, was all the more frustrating due to the random gusts of wind.  However, Mark LaBarr was able to band his first Le Conte's Sparrow and landfill supervisor, Ron Tibbetts, was able to release one of the banded sparrows.

Mark LaBarr helps Ron Tibbetts release sparrow - Mark Musselman

Setting net at second site - Mark Musselman

Although wind and manpower prevented all of the observed sparrows from being captured and banded, we were successful in determining the general usefulness of a variety of grassland habitats to support wintering sparrow species.  In the end, sites like the landfills might mow less, which would save them money (salaries, fuel, maintenance) and provide better habitat for bird species in search of a winter home.

The birds banded over the four days will soon be heading north to establish breeding territories.  It's a long shot, but it is possible that Mark LaBarr could capture in his springtime nets a bird he first met here in South Carolina!