Annual Hummingbird Event Bands 35 Birds

Sponsored by Thorn Creek Audubon, the Forest Preserve District of Will County (FPDWC) hosted its annual Hummingbird Banding event on August 20 at Plum Creek Nature Center/Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Throughout the afternoon, groups of 40 learned about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in a nature center presentation facilitated by Thorn Creek Audubon volunteer Diane Hicks and FPDWC volunteer Kate Caldwell.

Each group then moved to a tent outside to watch volunteers from Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders gently capture and band these little gems. Vern Kleen, one of only three licensed hummingbird banders in the state of Illinois, banded the birds. Joel Craig and Anna Craig captured birds at the nature center’s hummingbird feeders.

In all, 35 hummingbirds were newly banded: 4 adult males, 10 adult females, 13 young males, and 8 young females. Also, 3 females previously banded here were recaptured. Adult males depart first for fall migration, so it's expected to catch few this time of year.

The hummingbird banding event and other chapter projects are supported by Thorn Creek Audubon member dues and contributions.

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