SUNY Oswego biological sciences faculty member Daniel Baldassarre will offer a free public bird catching and banding demonstration at Rice Creek Field Station from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 7.
Participants will have an opportunity for an up-close look at birds, as Baldassarre will catch wild birds using mist nets and then add colorful leg bands to Northern Cardinals, his particular study species, before release. These colored bands allow Baldassarre and his research students to track the behavior, territory size and reproductive success of individual Northern Cardinals at Rice Creek.
Birds other than Northern Cardinals caught in the mist nests will be briefly observed by the group before being released.
The campus community and public are invited to learn more about local birds, Baldassarre's work and how banding helps avian researchers, as well as to experience wildlife up close.
SUNY Oswego students in need of a ride can sign up for one by emailing rcfs@oswego.edu or calling 315-312-6677 no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, May 6.
Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Attendees should dress for the weather, as this is an outdoor activity.