Adopt-a-bird at the festival of the hawks

Volunteers from the non-profit Holiday Beach Migration Observatory are using their Adopt-a-Bird program as their main source of funding for capturing and banding birds.

The banding program takes place during the Festival of the Hawks, in the second and third weekends of September.

 

“The Magnolia warbler is one of the most popular birds we catch. It’s a beautiful little bird,” said Bob Hall-Brooks, whose specialty is banding songbirds and hummingbirds. “Adopting this bird requires a $10 donation.”

Part of the funds go towards equipment and Hall-Brooks said their biggest expense is the nets. Each net costs US$150 and need to be replaced every two years. “I’m running 16 nets and it’s getting to be quite costly,” said Hall-Brooks.

 

The nets are constantly being monitored for birds flying into them. The birds are then taken out of the nets to be banded, another expense for HBMO.

“We band them to give them an identity,” said Hall-Brooks. “Hopefully someone will catch the bird and tell us so we can learn their migration patterns.” If a banded-bird is caught HBMO will be notified and the information will be passed on to the Adopt-a-Bird program participants.

However, it is extremely lucky if you catch a bird that has been banded before. Hall-Brooks estimates out of 1,000 birds, only one will be banded.

During this years banding volunteers captured a wide variety of birds. “We have a sharp-shinned hawk up for adoption, only $20,” said Dorothy Balkwill, a bander for the HBMO. “If the hawk is recaptured, you will get the data.”

When you adopt, you will also get a picture taken with the bird, a certificate with your name on it and a chance to release the bird.

The price varies for adopting birds based on how rare and unusual they are. Balkwill offered a Merlin falcon for $40. Her son Corey said a cooper’s hawk can be adopted for $30 and a Red-tailed hawk can be adopted for $40. A Peregrine falcon is priced at $100 and a Golden eagle for $200.

 

“I’m adopting this hawk in honour of my sister who I lost seven years ago,” said Michelle Stein. “My sister was a lover of nature and her favourite bird was the red-tailed hawk.”

HBMO also conducts daily education programs for anyone who wants to learn about banding and bird migration during the hawk counting season from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.