Bird Banding Demonstration
Richard Poole and Bob Wheeler
Join Master Bird Bander, Richard Poole, Sub-permittee Bob Wheeler, and their banding crew in the high sandhill scrub habitat of beautiful Rock Springs Run State Reserve where Richard will have a series of mist nets positioned near shrubs and fields. During three days of banding that coincided with last year's festival, a total of 88 birds representing 14 species were captured, mainly common yellowthroats and gray catbirds. Other species banded at that time included eastern phoebe, white-eyed vireo, ruby-crowned kinglet, blue-gray gnatcatcher, house wren, Carolina wren, hermit thrush, yellow-rumped warbler, palm warbler, black-and-white warbler, orange-crowned warbler, and ovenbird. Past highlights include sharp-shinned hawk, painted bunting, indigo bunting, yellow-breasted chat, Tennessee warbler, and Swainson's warbler. In addition to the birds, you might see deer, wild hogs, wild turkeys,
A winter project, the first to investigate winter site fidelity of passerines in Florida, was started by Richard Poole and Bob Wheeler at the Wekiva Basin Banding Station in the fall of 1998. Now a Master Bird Bander, Richard first banded birds with Parks Small, park biologist, in 1995 and has participated at Wekiva Basin ever since. Bob Wheeler is a Sub-permittee. He too has been working at Wekiva for many years. They are assisted in their research by Richard's wife and many local volunteers.
Park at the horse barn where someone from the banding station will meet you and give you a ride to the banding station. Someone will be at the horse barn all the time from 6:30am to 8:30am each morning except for when they are giving someone a ride. Longest wait at the barn should be less than 12 minutes. People will be shuttled back to their cars anytime they want to leave. Richard estimates that they will band until 10:30am, maybe longer depending on the birds and the weather. It's OK to just show up. If you would like to contact Richard to let him know you're coming or to ask questions (Call anytime if weather is IFFY he does not band in the rain.) you can e-mail him at Catbird@cfl.rr.com or call 407-774-9501. Bob Wheeler's cell phone# is 407-739-0333.
home.cfl.rr.com/wekivabirdband, www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl, www.pronetisp.net/~bpbird
Directions: From BCC Titusville, go north on US 1 to SR 46 in Mims. Go west (left) on SR 46 to Highway 17-92 in Sanford. Turn right and go north 1.7 miles to SR 46 West. Turn left and go west 11.1 miles to the entrance to Rock Springs Run State Reserve on the left. You'll go under the I-4 overpass as you travel west. From I-4 and SR 46 (Exit 101C), go west toward Mt. Dora. After 5 miles, you'll go over the Wekiva River Bridge and enter Lake County. At 7.2 miles, you'll go over the black bear overpass. The gate for Rock Springs State Reserve is on the left at 7.4 miles. Go through the gate and travel 0.2 miles and take the first left turn on the gravel road. There will be a sign that says "Horse Barn and Primitive Camping." Go 1.4 miles to the horse barn and park. Restroom facilities are across the road. Drive time from BCC: approximately 1 hr 15 min.
Nov 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, 6:30am-10:30am; Free
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