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Upcoming Citizen Science Events
-BIRD BANDING-
Bird banding sessions typically last 5-6 hours beginning with set-up a half hour before sunrise. Participants do not have to attend the entire session. Dress should be weather-appropriate. Participants should bring snacks, plenty of water and rain gear in case of sudden showers. There can be bugs, poison ivy or an occasional stream to cross, so participants should be prepared for all those situations.
Those interested in attending any of the sessions should contact Charlene Stewart at Charlene@gsmit.org (preferred) or 865-448-6709. Please provide your name, number attending, and best contact information in case of a cancellation.
More Information
Scientists estimate that there are nearly 230 different species of birds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thirty-four species considered endangered, threatened or of conservation concern have been observed in the park. With all its unusual birds, it is no surprise that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is considered one of the most important places for birds in the eastern United States.
Keeping up with all these species within the 520,000 acres of the national park is a daunting task, and for the past twelve years, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (Tremont) has been assisting the park in monitoring these birds through bird banding.
“We’ve begun a new citizen science research project this spring to further our understanding of birds and their habitat in the Smokies,” said Tiffany Beachy, Tremont’s citizen science coordinator, “Over the next several years, we will be looking at the potential impacts of the decline of Eastern Hemlocks on a warbler called the Louisiana Waterthrush. These are the only obligate riparian songbirds east of the Mississippi, which means they require rivers and streams to breed and forage. Many of our hemlocks occur along streams, so we’re investigating whether the decline of this tree species due to the exotic Hemlock Wooly Adelgid beetle is having an impact on breeding populations of Louisiana Waterthrush.”
“In addition to banding waterthrush, we will be banding all other species that we catch as part of a nationwide program called Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS),” Beachy continued. “We catch, mark, and release birds during the breeding season to obtain information about how long birds live, how many young they are producing, and how often they return to the same nesting area. This information aids park staff in making the best possible decisions regarding management of the many habitats.”
At the beginning of the season, volunteers help erect nets to catch the birds, and each day the nets are opened at sunrise. During the ensuing six hours, the nets are checked and birds are removed and assessed. Detailed notes are taken about wing cord, mass, age and gender. After the birds are inspected, a metal bracelet is applied to their legs, and they are released.
The bands have a unique number on them, which is registered with the Bird Banding
Laboratory in Maryland. If that bird is ever captured again, or if it is found dead, it is hoped that the finder will report the bird’s status and band number to the laboratory, so that they, in turn, can notify the originator of the band.
Bird banding is one of a number of citizen science projects carried on at Tremont each year. Tremont uses citizen science—the involvement of non-scientists in scientific research—as an important tool to connect people with nature. Through this program, students as well as other volunteers have the chance to contribute to the scientific research conducted within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.