Banding at its Best at New River

Bill Hilton Jr. was at the New River Birding Festival banding
birds. Everyday the nets went up and what he caught
got a band. For more information on this amazing
man and his work try these links.

Ruby Throat hummingbird work
or

Bill at home at Hilton Pond in S.C.

The net is almost invisible to the eye...

When a bird is caught it can be placed in a bag like this
or a paper bag with a clothes pen to close the opening.

Our 'Blogger Flock' were at full attention

See the paper bag with the clothes pen? Bill is explaining
the process before he began

The very first bird he caught was a Lincoln's Sparrow and
he was excited because it was the first he had banded in this
species.

Each band is unique with a number that can be traced back
to Bill who has the information on the bird.

After the banding was complete he handed the Sparrow off to
one of the Bloggers Kathie of Sycamore Canyon and
she had tears in her eyes as she released it to the sky.

Another bird we got to see banded was a Female
Eastern Towhee. Beautiful bird. During the week he
caught and banded hummingbirds, Indigo Buntings,
Goldfinches and a Blue jay. Each day a different group
of birders would witness this and stand in awe.
Other birders would be going out on new and different
birding trips.
More of that as we continue our New River Adventure.

To God be the Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done