Bird Banding at Rushton Woods

Join us for a fascinating visit to Willistown Conservation Trust's bird banding station at Rushton Woods Preserve, where you can watch bird banding research as it happens. Through the tracking of individual birds, documentation is gathered on the seasonal and long-term population patterns of migratory and resident species - and this is where all that begins.

We will meet at the Rushton Farm parking lot at 7:45 am and walk down to the banding station, where we will spend about 30 minutes observing the identification, banding, and data collection (age, sex, weight, etc.) of birds caught in the mist nests. We will also watch as the birds are released back into the wild. After that we will take a bird walk around the property to see what else we can find. You are welcome to return to the banding station again after the walk.

Note that the banding station operates as weather permits. Banding will not occur if it rains or if the temperature falls below 40 degrees. This event will be canceled if either of these conditions is met.

Bring binoculars if you have them. Note that the trails are earthen and may be uneven and muddy. Children are always welcome if accompanied by an adult. There are restrooms available on site.

Leaders: Sarah Boucas-Neto, Pat & Tony Nastase (patnastase@gmail.com