Last Saturday, we went to the annual Bird Festival at the national wildlife refuge where I used to work. It was a cool, overcast day, but the birds didn't mind, and neither did we. The highlight of the festival is the bird banding demonstration. Biologists and volunteers trap songbirds by stretching big nets between trees, then collect data such as species, sex, weight, and dimensions from each bird. They put a tiny identifying band on one leg and release it. By re-capturing birds in future years, researchers can learn about their migratory routes and lifespans.
Sarah was fascinated by the process and watched intently as the reseachers worked. When given the opportunity to release a bird, she balked at first, and I had to hold my hands under hers as the woman placed the tiny, vibrant Canada warbler in them. After the first time, though, she was hooked and begged to do it again on her own. It's amazing how delicate these birds seem, yet they fly thousands of miles each year between their wintering and nesting grounds. Nature is truly awesome.
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