Biology Professor Tony Rothering led a nocturnal banding this past weekend targeting a migratory owl species — the Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO). They banded six of the owls, and the seventh was a foreign recapture (meaning it was already banded by another bander/banding station). That particular bird was banded last year (2019) near Duluth, Minnesota. These recaptures provide information on distribution, longevity, migration pattern and habitat requirements. They also banded two Eastern Screech Owls (EASO). Professor Rothering says COVID-19 restrictions prevent them from inviting the public to the LLCC bird banding station at this time, but hopefully next year!

Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO)

Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO)

Northern Saw-whet owl in black light. The black light helps to age the bird as certain pigments (called porphyrins that naturally fluoresce when exposed to UV light) degrade fairly quickly when exposed to sunlight. The owl in the black light photo has relatively new feathers that have a consistent pink fluorescence, which tells us this bird hatched this year (2020).

Eastern Screech Owl

Tony Rothering, professor of biology, has been awarded a master permit by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center – Bird Banding Lab.

Since 1960, 64 million birds have been banded in North America. On average, 1.2 million birds have been banded every year for the last decade. Tony has been banding birds in some capacity since 2009.  He received a subpermit under master bander Vernon Kleen in March 2014. Over the past six years, Tony has banded over 2200 birds of 89 species. Each aluminum band has a unique nine-digit number that is forever associated with the bird that is wearing this little bit of “bling.” Having a master permit will allow Tony to expand banding initiatives in central Illinois and work with ornithologists/wildlife ecologists throughout the state, country and continent on various research projects. Tony is also often seen giving “bird talks” around the community. Congratulations, Tony, on your accomplishment!

Yesterday was National Bird Day, so the college celebrated our one-of-a-kind LLCC Bird Banding Station on our social media platforms! From 2012-2019 we banded 24,875 birds of 126 species with hundreds of LLCC students experiencing the process of bird banding and understanding the importance of collecting this valuable data.

Below are a few of the highlights from the fall 2019 bird banding season, our 15th banding season at LLCC. (For a copy of the full, detailed report, email tony.rothering@llcc.edu.) You will notice numbers were significantly lower than a typical fall season. We are hoping it is just an anomaly instead of a new norm.

• 1,289 birds of 74 species were banded over 69 banding days this fall (this is significantly lower than our fall average of 2,208 birds banded over a similar time frame).
• The above numbers translate into 18.7 birds banded/day (our typical fall average is 33.2 birds/day).
• We had 269 recaptures (birds banded earlier in the fall or banded in an earlier season).
• The oldest bird recaptured was an American Goldfinch that was banded during the spring 2014 season.
• The top five species banded (based on the number banded) were: White-throated Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, American Robin and House Wren.
• During the first weekend of November, we did a little nocturnal banding and successfully banded two owl species: one Eastern Screech Owl and one Northern Saw-whet Owl (our target species).
• One new species was banded at the station (Bell’s Vireo) which brings our cumulative station total to 24,875 birds banded of 126 species.
• Over 300 people visited the station over the banding season including LLCC students, Cub Scouts, and many other community members.

The spring 2020 season will begin March 19. You always are welcome to visit if your schedule allows!

Tony Rothering, professor of biology

Nocturnal bird banding efforts continued at LLCC Monday evening, and a Northern Saw-whet Owl successfully caught and banded!

This past weekend nocturnal bird banding was conducted at LLCC in hopes of capturing some of the resident and migratory owl species, in particular a specific migratory owl (Northern Saw-whet Owl). Unfortunately, one of these owls has not been caught to date. But a resident species – Eastern Screech Owl – was caught. After banding and collecting various metrics, the owl was placed in a dark box outside the building for about 10 minutes to let its eyes acclimate to the darkness. When the box was opened, the owl flew off!