Banding a Cerulean Warbler

Cerulean Warbler being banded, Jun 3, 2025

Cerulean Warbler being color banded, Jun 3, 2025

Cerulean Warbler measurements being taken, Jun 3, 2025

Cerulean Warbler ready for release after being banded, Jun 3, 2025

I got to witness the banding of a Cerulean Warbler this morning thanks to a heads up from one of the biologists taking part in a multi state study on this declining species.  The species is at the northern end of its range in this area and there is only one well known and long term breeding location which is located at Skinner State Park on the South Hadley/Hadley line.  At least three males have been banded at that location  and I spotted two of them on May 20th.  The bird this morning is located in a different area and could be breeding.  The focused banding operation captures the birds and gives each a typical federal band (with a unique number sequence) as well as color bands.  The color bands allow researchers the ability to identify individuals without having to recapture them.  The birds are captured in mist net and then rapidly removed at which point they are weighed, measured and banded within just a few minutes before they are released back into the wild.  It is always cool to see the banding process up close and especially so with a fairly rare species in this area.  Once the banding was complete I was able to release the guy...always amazing how tiny and light they are when you consider how far they migrate every year which is down to the mountains of South America.