Mercer County Shines A Spotlight On 1 Of Nature's Most Elusive Birds

The Mercer County Park Commission will open the Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO) banding station at the Historic Hunt House for the public to learn more about one of nature's best hidden and most elusive birds.

Bird banding involves safely capturing birds in fine mesh nets, carefully extracting them, fitting them with a numbered aluminum band, and collecting important data before releasing them. Banding helps scientists answer questions including where birds go, how long they live, and to where fledglings disperse upon leaving their nests.

It was officially established as a research technique in the United States in 1909, but its origins were in Europe. In 1595, one of King Henry’s banded Peregrine Falcons disappeared while pursuing a bird. The falcon was found 24 hours later on an island in the Mediterranean, 1,350 miles away. And with this bird’s escape, man’s fascination with bird movement and migration was born.

Through the NSWO banding initiative, researchers have learned that Saw-whet owls – once considered rare because of how infrequently they are seen – are much more common than previously believed.

Questions about population dynamics and migration patterns of owls are the focus of much active field research, and data from such projects have the potential to help biologists and wildlife managers in protecting these treasured birds.

The NWSO will be open on a few select evenings to share a “behind the nest” tour of an active owl banding operation.

The Saw-whet Owl Banding Programs will take place on Oct. 28, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on the evenings of Nov. 6 and 11, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Visitors will learn about owl ecology, the research taking place, and see saw-whet owls up-close as they are banded, measured and released. As part of the program, participants will join staff on a walk to the net lanes to witness a net check in the woods.

Registration is required and costs $10 per person. Children over 8 years old are welcome. Tours meet at the Hunt House in Mercer Meadows. Each program includes a night hike and an indoor session.

For more information and to register, call 609-888-3218 or e-mail natureprograms@mercercounty.org.

Patch file photo