Bird Monitoring Update
By Aaron Given,
Town of Kiawah Island
Assistant Wildlife Biologist
Photographs by Sue Corcoran
I
n 2009, the Town of Kiawah Island, in cooperation with the Kiawah
Conservancy, launched a comprehensive bird-monitoring program. This
program was designed to study and monitor a broad suite of bird species
throughout all seasons and across different habitats. Over the years, some
of the original projects were discontinued (i.e. marsh bird surveys and spring
migration monitoring) after testing their feasibility and practicality. Currently, the
bird-monitoring program consists of six projects that represent a well-rounded
approach that meets the research needs and interests of Kiawah Island. Data
collected from these projects aids in conservation efforts on Kiawah Island and
surrounding areas as well. Many of these projects have evolved over the years and
will continue to grow as new questions and priorities arise.
Fall Migration Monitoring
Bird banding is conducted each fall to monitor songbird populations during their
southbound migration. Kiawah Island provides important stopover habitat that
migrating birds rely on to rest and refuel before continuing their journey. Fall
migration monitoring started in 2009 at two locations on Kiawah, one at each end
of the island (Captain Sams Spit and Cougar Island). For logistical convenience,
we decided to focus all our efforts on Captain Sams starting in 2010. The banding
station continued to grow and evolve over the years and has become one of the
largest banding stations in the Southeast. Beginning in 2015, we added a second
banding site at the far eastern end of Kiawah on Little Bear Island. The addition of
this site may allow us to compare habitat use and movements of migratory birds
between both ends of the island.
Banding occurs every day for a period of five to six hours starting at sunrise from
August 15–November 30. Birds are captured in fine mesh nets called mist nets.
The nets are checked every 20–30 minutes, and trained and experienced personnel
remove the birds. An aluminum band, which has a unique number inscribed on it,
is placed on the leg of each bird. A series of measurements are taken, the bird’s age
and sex are recorded, and the bird is released.
Between 2009 and 2015, 25,479 birds of 120 different species were banded during
fall migration. An additional 5,420 previously banded birds have been recaptured.
Most of the recaptures are birds that were originally banded on Kiawah Island,
but we have captured birds that were banded in North Carolina, New York, and
New Brunswick, Canada. Birds that have been banded at Kiawah have also been
recovered in other areas including Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland,
Connecticut, Florida, and Quebec.
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