Event Type: Bird Walk/Bird banding in action
Date: Friday, June 24
Time: 7:30 am - 10:00 am
Location: Big Marsh Park
Address: 11559 S Stony Island, Chicago, IL Map.
THIS TRIP IS FULL
We're excited to announce this special bird banding outing for Thorn Creek Audubon. Many thanks to Chicago Ornithological Society and the banding team for having us as their guests at their banding station.
We'll watch up close as birds are caught using passive mist-netting and banders work quickly to determine the age and sex of each bird and affix a numbered band to its leg. Our participants will be able to hold and release banded birds.
Read about last year's banding highlights: 2021 Big Marsh Bird Banding Recap
LIMIT 20 PEOPLE. Registration required. This trip is full.
Please use the form below to register. You can sign up multiple people on the form. You will receive an email within two days letting you know if you are registered or on a wait list.
If you register and later need to cancel, no problem! Just send an email to let us know: thorncreekaudubon@gmail.com
Meet in the parking lot at 7:30 am by the Ford Calumet Environmental Center. We'll be escorted to the bird banding station. The walk is on a paved path plus a stretch of crushed gravel.
End Time: The outing ends at 10:00 am, but you can leave any time. You won't get lost going back to the parking lot.
What to wear: Usual birding attire for this location - long sleeves, long pants, close-toed shoes or boots, hat.
Plus, insect repellent. Be sure to apply the insect repellent before you arrive at the banding station so it’s not used near the station. If you plan to help release birds, please DO NOT get insect repellent on your hands. You may also want to use sunscreen.
What to bring: Lawn chair, water.
Restrooms: There’s a porta potty near the parking lot, and the Ford Calumet Environmental Center opens at 10:00 am.
Rain Date: Saturday, June 25. We'll email registrants if rain or other weather conditions necessitate changing the date.
Questions? Send an email to: thorncreekaudubon@gmail.com
About the Bird Banding Station: The Big Marsh Bird Banding Station was established in 2020 by Chicago Ornithological Society to help track breeding birds and assess the health of songbird populations at Big Marsh. Banding is done about six times a year between late May and early August. Last year, the banding team captured 224 birds, including 38 recaptures.
The station is part of the Institute for Bird Populations’ MAPS Program (Monitoring Avian Productivity & Survivorship), which uses standardized bird banding protocol for studying breeding birds and providing information on the lives of urban birds. Participating in the MAPS program allows COS to contribute to science that helps understand the longevity and breeding success of birds and provides other opportunities for scientific research with partners.
COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
- Masks are optional for fully vaccinated participants. This could change if state or county COVID safety protection requirements change by the event date, e.g., masks become required for fully vaccinated people at an outdoor event.
- We request that anyone who is not fully vaccinated wear a face mask covering both nose and mouth
- If you are feeling ill or have any symptoms of COVID or have been exposed to anyone who has COVID, please play it safe for everyone involved and do not attend.