2021 Big Marsh Bird Banding Station Summary

After an uncertain start to the Big Marsh banding station in 2020, this year saw us return to something a little more familiar. Last year began with a late start and separated mini-stations, and fun, but somewhat quiet mornings of texting exciting bird pictures to each other. In May of this year (right on time!) we were able to return for our second year of banding, and our first with a centralized banding station. We were also able to welcome volunteers and other banders! No more net checks in solitude; instead, we were able to nerd-it-up in-person when a bird had an interesting or challenging molt, and all crack open our Pyle guides together. A return to (bird bander) normal!

With Covid-19 safety guidelines in place, visitors to Big Marsh were able to learn more about how the banding process helps us protect birds. In addition to our three banders, Stephanie Beilke, Libby Keyes, and Anastasia Rahlin, we welcomed bander Lila Fried and bander-in-training Adriana Garcia. We welcomed back Edward Warden and Dan Lory, who got the banding station up and running smoothly each week, while Claire Halpin helped out with recording data on our last banding date. Throughout the banding season, our team engaged with dozens of visitors and Chicago Park District staff.

After 6 days of banding between May 31 and August 8, we wrapped up our second season of MAPS banding. We captured a total of 224 birds, including 179 new birds and 38 recaptures, meaning they were already wearing an aluminum leg band from a previous banding. Sixteen of our recaptures came from birds we banded at Big Marsh in 2020, and 13 were from birds captured and recaptured multiple times in 2021. One of our 2021 recaptures was first banded by Cook County Forest Preserve District biologist Chuck Rizzo: a Marsh Wren! Courtesy of a new net set up within the wetland, Marsh Wrens were a brand new species we captured this year.

This year’s top species banded were Gray Catbird (39), Yellow Warbler (27), American Robin (23), Willow Flycatcher (12), and Downy Woodpecker (11). We had an exciting first banding period with a visit from a few late migrants: a Mourning Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Since our station is focused on locally breeding birds, it was a bit of a treat to get to puzzle out the molt on a few new species!

We can’t wait to see what birds the next year brings! In the meantime, look closely the next time you visit Big Marsh, and see if you can spot one of our banded feathered friends.