Spring bird banding results

The spring 2021 bird banding season (our 17th banding season at LLCC!) contained these highlights:

  • 1,113 birds of 79 species were banded over 55 banding days this spring.
  • The above numbers translate into 20.2 birds banded/day.
  • We had 353 repeat captures (birds banded earlier in the spring season) and 124 return captures (birds banded during an earlier season).
  • The top five species banded (based on the number banded) were: Dark-eyed Junco, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray Catbird, White-throated Sparrow and Northern Waterthrush.
  • One new species (Acadian Flycatcher) was added to our cumulative station species total, which currently stands at 128 species.
  • The cumulative total number of birds banded (over 17 seasons) at the LLCC BBS is 27,935 birds.

One of the more interesting recaptures was a Northern Cardinal that was originally banded in spring 2013. This spring’s capture (eight years later) was the first time this bird had been recaptured since it was originally banded. We also recaptured two Gray Catbirds that were originally banded in 2016. Each of these birds has successfully made at least five round trip migrations between Illinois and Central/South America. An amazing feat for these relatively small creatures!

The fall 2021 season is scheduled to begin Aug. 19.

Tony Rothering, professor of biology