Join Cindy Ahern for a Northern Saw-whet Owl banding program at Scott Weidensaul’s Hidden Valley Banding station in Schuylkill Haven, PA, during saw-whet owl migration.
The banding station is located in the general area of Hawk Mountain (it is a little further west), and is approximately a 2 hour drive from the Philadelphia area.
Visitors should arrive around 6:30 PM for orientation – nets are checked every hour on the hour until midnight. When owls are caught in the mist nets, they are brought inside to demonstrate the banding process, which includes a general examination to determine age, weight, fat reserves, sex, eye color, and wing and bill length, banding the owl with a federal band, then releasing the owl. You may leave at any time – no need to stay until midnight if owls are caught during an earlier net check.
There is no guarantee you will see owls. The banding will be cancelled in the event of foul weather.
Registrations are required, and space is limited. Young bird enthusiasts receive priority registration, based on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is NO FEE to attend the banding demonstration, but please consider making a donation to “adopt” an owl in support of Northern Saw-whet Owl research: http://www.nedsmithcenter.org/adopt-an-owl-and-help-nscna-research/
| Adopt an Owl and Help NSCNA Research | Ned Smith Center …
Adopt an Owl and Help NSCNA Research. Wild birds don’t make good pets – but now there’s a way you can “adopt” one of the East’s most intriguing owls, and help the Ned Smith Center’s research programs at the same time. |
Contact Cindy Ahern at songbird AT msn.com or text 215-840-4010 to register. You will receive further instructions closer to the banding date.