DAVID . . .
Congrats on this significant encounter. I’m sure other humbanders share your
excitement. :-)
Is it possible this is the first time a RTHU banded in the U.S. has been
encountered and reported from non-breeding grounds in Central America (or
Mexico)?
Happy Hummingbird Banding!
BILL
On Mar 10, 2020, at 11:20 AM, David LaPuma <david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hummingbird Banders:
It’s always exciting to see the HUMBAND reports of a foreign recovery, and by
now I’ve got all of my band numbers committed to memory so I can quickly
determine whether the one being reported might be one I banded. While this
hadn’t happened yet, it’s equally satisfying to read about the connections
between banding locations and recapture locations as we piece together the
movements of these amazing birds.
Yesterday morning I discovered (through an email exchange with the BBL and
the Master Permit holder under which I was sub permitted last year) that one
of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds I banded on August 20, 2020 in Millville,
NJ was recaptured and released on February 6, 2020 in Reserva Silvestre
Privada Concepcion de Maria, in Carazo, Nicaragua! Needless to say it has
been an exciting 24-hours!
The distance between these two points is anywhere between 3,250 straight-line
miles, or 3,659 “driving route” (circum-gulf) miles. Needless to say it was
super exciting to get back this data point, and a further testament to the
importance of centralized banding records.
Since reporting this on Facebook yesterday I’ve been contacted by several
researchers who work at the reserve, and am awaiting contact from the bander
who recaptured this particular bird. Several of these banders have expressed
interest in learning how to, and being permitted to, band hummingbirds. I
imagine there are some folks in southern North America, and Central America,
who are licensed to band hummingbirds. What does the HUMBAND-hive-mind think
about this? Should I simply recommend them to the great banders who trained
me? Or are there training opportunities in Central America that you’re aware
of? I would love to pass along some recommendations.
Cheers, and thanks in advance,
David
________________________
David A. La Puma, PhD
Cape May, New Jersey
e: david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
c: 732.447.4894
w: http://www.woodcreeper.com ;<http://www.woodcreeper.com/>
“Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done.” - Amelia
Earhart
