On 17 October 2005 the Kiptopeke Banding Station reached a milestone when the
300,000th bird was captured, banded, and processed. Just 5 minutes before 8:00
AM Bryan Watts (Station Master) from the Center for Conservation Biology (CCB)
at William and Mary removed a size 0 band from its string, painted it with gold
metallic paint, and presented it to Jethro Runco (Bander-in-Residence) from the
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory (CVWO). Jethro applied the gold band to
a hatching-year, male Black-throated Blue Warbler. The bird was photographed,
processed, and released. Present were Bart Paxton (Band Manager) from CCB,
Jerri Howe (bander) from CVWO, Ariel White (banding intern) from CVWO, Renee
Hudgins (volunteer), and Bob Howe.
The Kiptopeke Banding Station was established in 1963 as part of a network of
fall banding stations under the project "Operation Recovery." Founding banders
were Fred Scott, Walter and Doris Smith, Mike and Dorothy Mitchell, and Charlie
Hacker. For more than 4 decades the station has collected valuable information
on bird populations migrating along the Atlantic Coast and has provided
thousands of individuals with the opportunity to see birds in the hand. Many
dedicated banders, researchers, volunteers, and organizations have helped to
keep the station operating through the years. The station is currently
operated by the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory in collaboration with the
Center for Conservation Biology and the Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation with funding from various sources.
The Kiptopeke Banding Station has banded more birds during fall migration than
any station in North America. The banding station reached the 100,000-bird
milestone in 1975 and the 200,000-bird milestone in 1985. The young male
Black-throated Blue flew off into the woods with its gold band unaware of its
significance and the scores of dedicated people who have led the station to
this milestone. Thanks to all.
Bryan D. Watts
Center for Conservation Biology
Posted for Bryan Watts by:
Barton J. Paxton
Center for Conservation Biology
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Phone (757) 221-1639
FAX (757) 221-1650
bjpaxt@xxxxxx
www.ccb-wm.org
I am sure Jethro will post the full day's total later.