Ontario bird banding association rendezvous

the traditional shot at the sign notice the green snow 

I had the chance  joined by three other  Hilliardton marsh folk to gather up our stuff and head to literally the sunny south. Bird banders across the province gather at bird studies head quarters and listen to various speakers and share stories about our year of banding . This year the threat of bad weather on Friday prompted us to leave Thursday after school which gave us a chance to do some bird watching on Friday then enjoy a gathering of  the banders on Saturday. This year I was joined by Chris Sukha, Mark Milton and Ethan Quinton. We had a fabulous time and learned lots.

Mark Milton and Ethan Quinton

Ethan and Chris Sukha

Marsh hats are always in demand by southern banders here is Teri Groh

some of the thousands of canvasbacks on lake Erie

it will be six weeks before we see  sandhills in the north

A photo of a tufted titmouse  at old cut banding station

part of the crowd a bird studies canada  note all the photo's I love this room

I always find the folks that come to the meetings fill me with inspiration and validate the work that we are trying to do at the marsh. We heard some cutting edge research and discovered that a lot of the effort we are putting in is helping to shape a clearer understanding of what is happening to bird populations in north America. It is both humbling and a source of pride to be part of these wonderful research initiatives.  If anyone would like to know more about the Ontario bird banding conference do not hesitate to get in touch with me, Bird is the word!!!